学进去

A year ago, my wife and I sold one of our cars and replaced it with an e-bike. I knew that passenger vehicles are responsible for much of our greenhouse-gas emissions. I also knew that electric cars were an imperfect fix. Though they’re responsible for less carbon pollution than gas cars, their supply chain is carbon intensive. But an e-bike’s comparatively tiny battery means less electricity, fewer emissions and fewer resources. E-bikes are clearly better for the planet than cars of any kind.

But I also viewed getting rid of my car as a sacrifice. I live in Colorado; e-biking would mean freezing in winter and sweating in summer. It was the right thing to do, I thought, but it was not going to be fun.

I was very wrong. The first thing I noticed was the savings. Between car payments, insurance, maintenance (保养), and gas, a car-centered lifestyle is expensive. I predict that we’ll save about $50,000 over the next five years by selling our car.

The actual experience of riding to work each day over the past year has been equally surprising. In winter, I wear gloves, warm socks, a thick cap, and a ski jacket when I ride, and I am almost never too cold. In summer, I didn’t break a sweat. I just used the throttle (油门), sat back, and enjoyed my ride.

I arrived to work a little more lighthearted for having spent the morning in fresh air rather than traffic. I jumped on my bike after a stressful day at work and rode home down a street edged with changing fall leaves. I felt more connected to the physical environment around me than I had when I’d traveled the same route surrounded by metal and glass.

Last Saturday, when my grandfather got frustrated at the name of the singer of a song, I grabbed my smartphone and found it in seconds. This astonished my grandfather, who didn’t understand how I’d checked the information so quickly. I laughed and explained, but afterwards, it made me think about how much I depend on technology.

When I reflected on its impact on my education, I saw that technology has been significant in many ways. Returning to the story of my grandfather, he had asked me more about how I used it and about university life. He said he thought we had an easy life compared to previous generations. I could see his point.

Not only are we lucky enough to have the same educational benefits as those of previous generations, but we have so many more. We still have walk-in libraries; however, the only option for studying used to be sitting in these libraries with as many books from your reading list as you could find, yet now a single search online can immediately provide access to a huge range of resources. Interaction between students and university staff is another area that has changed considerably. We can have face-to-face time with our tutors, and also communicate using our electronic devices. The most popular means is via social media, and it has become unacceptable for messages to be unanswered for any length of time. While this puts an extra stress on the university’s academic support team, we students are greatly benefited.

When we compare the student life of the past and the present, it is tempting to focus on the obvious differences in technology. In fact, students are doing what they’ve always done: embracing the resources available and adapting them to work more efficiently and to live more enjoyably. The pace of change in technology continuously gathers speed, so we have to value each innovation as it happens.

In today’s digital age, where a vast ocean of information is just a click away, the question arises: can one learn too much? Given that no individual can grasp the entirety of human knowledge. However, there exists a phenomenon where excessive learning can lead to inaction, a state of being overwhelmed by too much information.

Consider a scenario where you’re eager to achieve a particular goal. You begin by conducting extensive research, diving deep into the subject. As you absorb more information, it paradoxically (矛盾地) feels like your understanding diminishes. Each new concept or strategy reveals further layers, making the goal seem more complex and out of reach.

This situation is a common trap: the endless pursuit of more information. Although gaining comprehensive knowledge is valuable, that is to say there’s nothing wrong with learning a lot, issues arise when this pursuit obstructs practical application. If learning continuously prevents you from starting, you’ll find yourself stuck, unable to achieve your desired outcomes.

An alternative and more effective approach to achieving goals is to strike a balance between learning and doing. Gather essential information, then transition into action swiftly, even if you feel somewhat unprepared. This is often the best way to learn, as hands-on experience provides insights that theoretical knowledge alone cannot.

The comparison with a baby learning to walk is a good example here. A baby doesn’t learn to walk by sitting and analyzing the process. Instead, it learns by attempting to walk, falling, and then understanding from each fall what works and what doesn’t. Through repeated effort, walking is eventually mastered. This method is applicable to goal achievement too. By engaging in action, learning from the outcomes, and adjusting accordingly, you gradually move closer to your goals.

In summary, while the pursuit of knowledge is valuable, it’s crucial not to let it become a barrier to action. Learning should be a stepping stone to doing, not an end in itself. It’s through the interplay of gathering knowledge and applying it that we can truly progress towards our aspirations. This balanced approach is key to overcoming the paralysis of overlearning and actively moving towards realizing your ambitions.

My life as an exchange student finally began! It was only a short 20-minute drive from the airport to Queensland University of Technology (QUT), but I _________ it a lot. My driver was very _________and told me a lot about Australian culture along the way.

Before _________ home, I had a fair idea of what my _________ would be like. When O-Week at QUT finally happened, I felt that my life here really lived up to my first _________.

The week-long event not only _________ me to engage indifferent clubs and societies, it also gave me a chance to _________ QUT’s campus.

I loved the _________ of O-Week. It was really lively, and I got the _________ to meet so many people. Interacting with different cultures first-hand was really a(n) __________. I felt this was exactly how I __________ life in Australia would be like. I was really __________ to finally experience this!

After ________ my new home, I found that living in Brisbane was quite different. I had the __________ to do a lot more and had no limits on __________ I could do them. For example, have you ever wanted pancakes at 6 am? Say no more -- one of my favorite restaurants was only a 2-minute walk away from my __________. Besides, I found it quite __________ to meet and work with the locals, and learn about their __________ attitude to life and work.

I loved Australia so much that I felt very __________   when my experience came to a(n) __________. I made so many friends there and I hope to see them all again on my next world tour!