When I moved into an empty dorm for the first time two years ago, I was certain of a few things. Firstly, I realized that I didn’t _1_ anybody at the school. Secondly, I knew that I wanted to work hard at my lessons and learn something useful. And thirdly, I wanted to have a good time with new classmates, without my parents around.
The first realization frightened me in the beginning. But that _2 _quickly disappeared. It was the other two goals that ended up _3_ my difficulties. I knew that it was hard to devote enough time to class and to social efforts. But I wanted to succeed in both. I knew this would be a _4_, but I didn’t realize _5_ until classes began.
I got on well with the other girls who lived in my dorm. Often, instead of finishing my homework _6_ it was due(应交的期限), I went upstairs and had ice cream with my neighbour. I always finished it the next day between classes. I knew _7_ wasn’t very good and the grade I _8_ showed my lack of effort.
I was aware that I needed to find some sort of balance. So I created a schedule that would _9_ my time up between going to class, doing homework, and relaxing. It seemed like a good idea, but I was only able to follow it for a few days. A schedule like that was too much pressure.
So I tried another _10_. Each week I made a list of everything I had to get done during that week. Then, under the list of things I had to get done, I made a list of things I could do if I had time.
This is the method I have used since then. I’m glad that I’ve learned to balance things and it has helped prepare me for what is to come after graduation.
1. A. know B. realize C. recognize D. like
2. A. desire B. feel C. fear D. excitement
3. A. was B. being C. is D. to be
4. A. challenge B. job C. chance D. time
5. A. how much B. how many C. what D. which
6. A. after B. before C. when D. because
7. A. one B. these C. I D. it
8. A. demanded B. took C. received D. accepted
9. A. fix B. put C. divide D. build
10. A. project B. effort C. pressure D. plan