My Idea of a Good Student-Teacher Relationship 

My idea of a good student-teacher relationship would have to include a mutual respect on both sides. 

It is also important that a student can rely on the teacher to be fair and consistent in their relationship with the class. I do not believe that a good relationship depends on the level of social contact outside of the classroom, but it is a contributing factor. Sometimes, a teacher can cause acute embarrassment to a student in the classroom and that embarrassment can be felt by all the other students. Such insensitivity presents a hurdle in developing a good relationship. Inconsistency and not keeping promises are other areas which can make it difficult to have a good relationship.There is a marked difference between a teacher who is strict and always serious and one who is firm but tempered with a sense of humour. Students usually recognise a teacher who makes a conscientious effort to help them with their studies. 

In conclusion, building up a good student-teacher rapport is not a one-sided exercise and it is not one that will evolve overnight. It requires time, consideration and respect on both sides. When a teacher shows interest in other activities of their students, it can have a significant impact on the student-teacher relationship.  

Cheating in Exams Leads to a Loss of Integrity 

In my opinion, cheating in an exam is a matter of one's integrity. It is easy to be dishonest and deceive other people but it is much harder to deceive one's self. A person who cheats knows they are doing the wrong thing and, as such, it is a reflection on their character. 

One reason why I, personally, do not advocate cheating is that I would lose my sense of self-respect. To me, my integrity is too valuable to risks the damage that would be caused if I were to cheat. Apart from the fact that I would know I had done the wrong thing, it would generate a concern about being found out. Another consequence of cheating is that it proves one has not acquired the knowledge necessary to warrant the qualification sought. If the cheating results in being awarded a certificate, to me, that certificate would represent a constant reminder of the stain on my integrity. 

In the final analysis, cheating comes down to one's character and the degree of self-respect you have. I prefer to earn what I want based on my own ability and efforts rather than become a second-rate person by cheating.  

Difficulties with Students' Evaluation of Their Teacher 

The students' evaluation of their teacher can be a very subjective proposition because it depends a lot on how the evaluation is made and how it is subsequently used. I believe most teachers would like to know how effective their teaching really is and how it benefits their students.

A difficulty with students' evaluation of their teacher is finding the right formulae to achieve an honest, constructive and independent response. The size and makeup of the class can be a reason for this difficulty. The larger the class the more likely will be the range of ability in the students. That fact limits the interaction between the teacher and individual students and automatically influences how students will perceive the effectiveness of their teacher.Smaller classes are much less likely to have a great range of ability in the students and their evaluation of their teacher will tend to be more consistent. A crucial aspects with students' evaluation is how it is used. If it is a formal part of the school's program it needs to be used constructively in liaison with the teachers for the benefit of both teachers and students. 

For students' evaluations to be worthwhile they need to be independent and honest. Negative comments from students, delivered with sincerity, can be very valuable in helping teachers change their teaching methods and making them more effective. Biased evaluations can lead to misinterpretation and less productive outcome. 

Class Attendance Should Be Compulsory 

Although some students argue that class attendance should not be compulsory either because the classes are boring or because they can learn more on their own, I believe that making class attendance compulsory is beneficial for both students and teachers.

First, it is beneficial for students because most universities have a regulation that states if students miss one-third of their classes they will not be allowed to take the final exam. So students being absent from class punish themselves by missing out on the exam and face having to retake the class during the next semester.Furthermore, many teachers tie in attendance with marks. For example, my English teacher awards 10 percent of the final marks for attendance with percent being deducted for every absence. In some cases, lack of attendance could mean the difference between a pass or fail. Second, it is beneficial for teachers because a full class complement shows respect for the teacher and the university education system. If a teacher prepares to teach a class it is only right that students turn up to be taught. If it is not compulsory for students to attend classes then teachers could say that what is good for the goose is good for the ganders too and refuse to take classes. Clearly this would lead to a breakdown of the entire university system. 

In conclusion, making class attendance compulsory benefits both students and teachers by allowing students to maximize their marks and allowing teachers to be respected for their professional duties. 

Both Computers and Teachers

It is obvious that computers are increasingly becoming an accepted part of the education process. The development of sophisticated software has produced a vast array of user-friendly learning aids to benefit both students and teachers. However, the cost factor for using this technology in the classroom can represent a problem for some schools. Therefore, I believe that both computers and teachers are necessary.

One of the important benefits of computer-aided learning is that it allows the students to study at their own paces by going back over the information to acquire a proper understanding. This gives the teacher a better insight into a student's ability and recognition of the areas that are of concern. Another benefit is that learning software can utilise all three learning techniques of hearing, seeing and doing which greatly reinforces acquisition. One of the difficulties in adopting the use of computers is in the selection of the most suitable software programs from the huge variety available. The selection process should involve verifying the accuracy of the information used in the program and confirmation of the program's effectiveness from practical experience. Computer-aided learning does seem to be the way of the future but I cannot see that it should ever become a stand-alone process. Computers are not perfect and there is nothing like having a teacher on hand to provide practical help when needed. 

In conclusion, computers and teachers are both necessary in the classroom because they complement each other for the benefit of the students. 

Preventing an Obsession with Dieting 

I believe the craving some young women have to copy what is promoted as the ideal figure for a woman is the cause of their obsession with excessive dieting. A great deal of media advertising makes use of young, slim, attractive women and it is understandably natural that some women want to copy what they see as the ideal role model. Obsessive dieting certainly does happen, as is illustrated by the numerous articles in magazines about people suffering from anorexia. Almost exclusively, this obsession relates to younger women who are constantly bombarded with the supposedly ideal woman as depicted in women's fashion magazines, Most of these fashion models are very slim, some of them excessively so. There is nothing wrong with a sensible controlled diet aimed at losing some excess weight but, when the need to diet becomes an all-consuming passions, that is when the danger occurs. Often, the people who become susceptible to the lure of the "perfect" figure are not aware of what is happening to them. Usually, preventing dieting becoming an obsession will depend on friends and relatives recognising the warning signs. As for preventing the basic cause of this problem, that is a much more complex issue as it involves the standard mores of the society and people being aware of their responsibilities.Education about the dangers of excessive dieting needs to be part of the solution for prevention. 

In conclusion, an obsession with dieting can be prevented by friends and relatives of the dieter as well as an education campaign about the dangers of excessive dieting. 

Students Should Live on Campus 

Is it justifiable to impose a ban on renting off-campus apartments for university students? Or should the authorities leave the matter to students themselves to decide since they are already adults? Personally, I lend my support to the former.First, living on campus may be convenient owing to the proximity to the teaching buildings along with other facilities. It is obviously very handy to walk out of one's dorm and be in the classroom just five minutes later. The library and canteens are close by too. On the campus where I live the distance between dormitories and classrooms is quite far so a bicycle is a necessity. To have an extra distance to travel between home and campus is unthinkable.Second, it is by and large much safer than living off-campus. Students think nothing of staying in the library until late at night and then walking or cycling back to the dorm. Security guards patrol the campus night and day and also the dorm entrances. But think what could happen if you have to venture outside the campus and make your way home alone through darkened and deserted streets and then enter an unguarded building, Security is something we all take for granted on our campuses but this cannot be guaranteed off-campus. In conclusion, living on campus means that everything that you could possibly require is close at hand with the added benefit of feeling safe and secure within a gated community. 

Students Are Entitled to Experience True Love 

Should universities discourage students from dating on the grounds that' it is a waste of time as well as energy? Or is it justified for students to venture into a romantic relationship from which they will learn valuable lessons absent from their textbooks? I personally advocate campus dating. Opponents may argue that university students should place study as their priority as dating in all likelihood may distract them from this objective. However, learning is not all about memorizing textbooks and passing exams. True love holds the key to happiness in life and students are entitled to experience it. Admittedly, a relationship may serve as a distraction in some cases? Yet, it can also yield beneficial results. Couples may encourage each other to achieve academic excellence and support each other in times of crisis. Furthermore, it is tantamount to cruelty to hinder the pursuit of true love. The decision as to whether or not to start a relationship should be an entirely personal choice free from interference. In the final analysis, I believe that students can learn so much from a relationship, such as tolerance, care and compromise. All of these will serve well for their future success both in career and in life. 

In conclusion, campus love promotes happiness, and can be beneficial towards academic study and therefore should be a matter of personal choice. 

Computer Games Are a Form of Escapism 

Are computer games a boon in terms of helping students relax after a long day's work at school?Or are they detrimental to pupils' future development since students can become easily addicted to the virtual world? Personally, I am in sympathy with the latter.Admittedly, computer games furnish entertainment when students only spend a moderate amount of time on them. It might even be beneficial since pupils can combine study with pleasure and therefore achieve high efficiency. However, the hard truth is that droves of students end up being obsessed with computer games and view them as a way to escape from reality. As a result, academic study is inevitably neglected.And a vicious circle is created-the more frustrated students are about study, the more addicted they become to the virtual world. Furthermore, not only pupils' academic performance may suffer from playing computer games, the violence featured in such games may also exert an impact on impressionable teenagers. When the dividing line between the virtual and the real world is blurred, students may resort to violence in order to solve issues-as they do in games. Authoritative reports have confirmed that the increasing rate of violent incidents is ascribable toll the prevalent trend of playing computer games. In sum, the demerits of computer games far outweigh their few merits because of the tendency for students to neglect academic study and because some students may become more violent. 

 More Rights for Women

Throughout history, women have always aimed for a recognised place in society. China is no exception. From the age of foot binding to modernization today, the role and rights of women have undergone a drastic transformation. In my opinion, women should be treated equally and given more rights. Firstly, women have equality in education, marriage, rights, and freedom by law. On founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the Communist Party of China declared that women shall enjoy equal rights with men in political, economic, cultural, educational and social life. Historically, women have always been considered as inferior creatures both intellectually and physically to men. There has always been a stereotype that "a woman's place is in the home. Expected to be caregivers, women generally have had fewer legal rights and career opportunities than men. Since it is written in law, women's rights and interests should be protected and gender equality should be guaranteed. Secondly, given the great contributions women are making to society, women's role should be given full play. In China, women account for more than 60 percent of the rural labour force and are a major force in farming activities, Furthermore, women's role in educating their children and supporting the whole family is also vital to maintain a well-balanced society. To conclude, though China may have taken great leaps forward in official statutes and public pronouncements concerning women, nonetheless, in practice, backed by centuries of history and tradition, the old ways die hard. Therefore, more efforts to promote women's equal rights need to be made. 

纵观历史,妇女一直在社会中争取地位。中国也不例外。从缠足时代到现代化的今天,妇女的作用和权利已经大幅转变。在我看来,女人应该受到平等对待,应给予女性更多的权利。首先, 按照法律，女性应在教育、婚姻、权利和自由方面享受平等待遇。历史上,一直认为，在身体和智力方面，女性是比男性低等的生物。一直有一种陈词滥调，称女人就应该待在在家里。认为女性生来就应照顾别人，她们的法律权利和就业机会比男性少很多。现在的法律中写道，妇女权益应该受到保护，要保证男女平等。其次,考虑到女性对社会的伟大贡献，女性的作用应得到充分发挥。在中国, 60%以上的妇女都是农村劳动力，是农业活动的主要力量。此外,女性在教育孩子，与支持整个家庭的角色，对于保持社会均衡起着至关重要的作用。最后,尽管中国已经在关于女性的官方法规和公共声明方面进步很大，尽管如此,在实践中,在几个世纪以来的历史和传统基础上，依然是旧习难除。因此,需要更加努力来促进男女权利平等。

Idolizing Celebrities Goes Too Far 

Celebrity worship has been identified as one of the most common forms of idolatry these days. However, many fans go too far with pursuing stars. Some have facial plastic surgery just to look a little more like the star they worship. Others even pay all their money to see the stars in person. I personally hold that blindly worshipping famous people should be deterred from becoming rampant. 

Due to daily gossip columns in the tabloids and the ubiquitous celebrity news in the media, researchers report that about one third of people suffer from Celebrity Worship Syndrome, an actual syndrome that can become obsessional, replacing conventional relations, Some fans of famous people tend to indulge in daydreaming about stars they worship. Having less communication with their friends and families, some obsessed fans ignore conventional relations, leading to psychological problems or disorders.Blind worship undermines young people's spiritual pursuits in real art, literature, philosophy, and science, without which they can hardly hold the sacred torch of civilization transferred to them from preceding generations. It is no exaggeration to say that blind star-worship will probably lead young people whose discretion is not enough into abysmal darkness, and thus buried with them is the hope of the future. 

In conclusion, given the above harmful effects of blind star-worship, every effort must be made to help fans to get out of the hopeless swamp of star-worship. 

Teachers Should Put Students First 

"Runner Fan", nickname of Fan Meizhong, who ran out of the classroom leaving his students behind during the May 12 earthquake, has caused a controversy concerning traditional Chinese values. Many people regard his action as wrong and a direct violation of teachers' responsibility and I would have to agree with them. 

Firstly, it is the responsibility of a teacher to protect his students' safety by law. Being concerned solely for his own life and leaving his students behind while fleeing violates the spirit of the law.In an emergency, each teacher is responsible for the direct supervision of his students. Furthermore, it will be of great help if they can direct the evacuation of their students to designated assembly areas in accordance with warning signals and written notification. It is out of the question that they should not remain with their students until rescue crews arrive. Secondly, teachers act as a role model for their students. The Compulsory Education Law does stipulate that "a teacher should be a model of virtue for others and should be devoted to the education of the people." Teachers not only teach students how to think, but also how to behave to support others in society.Fleeing the classroom and leaving the students behind in an emergency sets a bad example for students. 

To conclude, teachers are responsible for students' safety in an emergency. Teachers are expected to demonstrate responsible behaviour and they ought to be specifically trained to deal with emergency situations. 

Learning from Mistakes 

We all make mistakes which are inevitable.What is worse is failure to correct own mistakes. While making mistakes is good, repeating mistakes is definitely not. Apart from correcting your own mistakes, we should learn from the mistakes. You can only learn from a mistake after you admit you have made one.

As soon as you start blaming other people, you distance yourself from any possible lesson that could be learned from it.But if you courageously stand up and honestly say "This is my mistake and I am responsible", the possibilities for learning will move towards you.Admission of a mistake, even if only privately to yourself, makes learning possible by moving the focus away from blaming yourself and towards understanding. Wise people admit their mistakes easily. They know progress accelerates when they do. 

On the other hand, for many reasons admitting mistakes is difficult.This is why some people consider that they can learn nothing from mistakes, We are taught in school, in our families, or at work to feel guilty about failure and to do whatever we can to avoid mistakes. This sense of shame combined with the inevitability of setbacks when attempting difficult things explains why many people give up on their goals: they are not prepared for the mistakes and failures they will face on their way to what they want. 

In conclusion, we can and should learn good lessons from past mistakes in order to be more successful in our private and public lives.

Respecting the Elderly Is a Traditional Chinese Virtue 

The elderly have accumulated a lifetime's worth of experience, however, many young people often regard them as irrelevant, embarrassing, and out of touch. As far as I am concerned, the traditional Chinese virtue to respect the old people needs to be emphasized. 

Firstly, the elderly deserve the respect due to their effort in bringing up their children and their contribution to society. We should always bear in mind that what we have and enjoy now was created by the aged people in the early days, as the old Chinese saying goes, "One generation plants trees under whose shade another generation rests," Secondly, family is one of the best places for learning values, so every family should inspire younger members to respect the older ones. It is important, therefore, to set an example at home by taking good care of the elderly members, so that children learn to adopt this same practice. Families should make a point of including and involving the older members in the family activities and decisions. In this way, families will exemplify the right values, and young members will learn first-hand on how to respect the elderly, Perhaps the most important test of a society is the way individuals behave towards one another. And specifically, how that society treats its elderly men and women. If young people do not respect the elderly, the whole society will be a mess without respect. 

Therefore, the elderly should be respected by all of us. 

Both Economic Development and Environmental Protection Are Indispensable 

I am not supportive of the idea that either takes priority. It is necessary and absolutely possible that economic development and environmental protection co-exist, in the sense that both of them are indispensable factors for the prosperity of society.

Economic development is seemingly more important, due to the fact that it creates enormous job opportunities, improves living conditions and increases government revenues. Yet, the above goals can only really be reached on condition that the environment is well protected. And, interestingly, it is the economic development per se that provides the money and personnel resources required for the protection of the environment. A well-preserved environment is the groundwork for the economy and in a way promotes economic growth. A fast-developing and well-functioning economy calls for a good environment, which offers essential resources, e.g. wood, coal, water, etc. for production. Once the environment deteriorates, the production process is likely to be disturbed or even halted.What is worse, natural disasters that come with the worsening environmental conditions might even paralyses the whole economy impose a severe threat to human life. The pursuit of short-term economic profit is the destruction of our home and that of our posterity. So, economic development and environmental protection are equally important. 

In this sense, we are actually working on an environment-friendly economy. Given the status quod, it is possible to realize the co-existence of the two as long as we are conscious and determined enough.