In far too many classes that I have taught over the last 5 years, I have heard the refrain from students, "This is the first time we are learning this." Or, even more disturbing, "I wish I had learned this earlier in my college career."
在过去5年的时间里，在我教过的课堂中，总能从学生那里听到如此的说法，“这是大家首次学习这方面的常识。” 或者能听到更让人不安的说法，“我期望在大学中我能早点学到这方面的常识。”
What are some of the life lessons I would teach every college student--and career professional--if I had the chance? Here are seven of the most important lessons Ifervently wish everyone could have the chance to learn:
假如我有机会，我会教给每一个大学生什么生活课呢?这里有七堂非常重要的课程，我热切期望每一个人都能有机会学习一下：
1. Communication isnt natural and doesnt come easy to most people.
交流并非自然而然的事情，交流对于多数人来讲都不是件容易的事情。
Yes, we learn to talk at an early age and talking, as well as walking, is a natural function for most people. But talking and communicating are two different things. Communication takes focus and energy. It takes a sincere interest in the other person or people. It requires active and reflective listening. In other words, you need to actually care about others if you ever really want to communicate effectively.
对!大家从小就掌握了说话、走路，对多数人来讲，是一种本身自然拥有的能力。但说话和交流是两码事。交流需要精力专注、待人真诚，积极听取别人建议和怎么看并对其做出反应。换句话说，假如真的想做到有效交流，需要真的在乎其他人的感受。
2. Its a waste of time and energy to find the person, people or organization to "blame" for your troubles.
把自己面临的困境归咎于某个人、某群人或某个组织，这是在费时和精力。
There are so many things in life that arent fair; Why? Because you cant right all of the wrongs, and you wont ever be at peace if you are looking for fair. Does that mean you dont try to change things or fix yourself? Of course not! But, more importantly, focus on those things you can control and you can influence. Spend minimal time on those things that are completely out of your control. Instead of blaming and finger-pointing, figure out what you can do to make a difference.
日常有不少事情不公平，为何?由于你不可以纠正全部错误，假如你想要公平，你就不会内心平静。这是不是代表你不应该尝试去改变什么，或是从自己身上做出调整改变呢?当然不是!但更要紧的是，专注于那些你可以控制并能起到影响用途的事情上。在那些脱离你的控制的事情上用最少的时间。不是容易地挑挑问题转嫁责任逃避责任，你要弄了解，到底自己能做些什么才能带来改变。
3. Learn how to solve your own problems.
掌握怎么办我们的问题。
Stuck in a rut? Many people are, at some point in their life. Not sure what to do next or how to get somewhere? Its a common occurrence. The question is whether you spend your time lamenting how stuck you are, or you devote your attention to finding a new, creative way out of your problem.Be a problem-solver, not a problem-maker.
停滞不前?不少人在生活的某一阶段原地踏步停滞不前。不了解下一步该干什么?该如何去往某个想去的地方?这都是容易见到现象。问题在于，你是把时间用在感叹自己处于这样卡壳的状况，还是把注意力转移到探寻新的创造性的出路上。要成为问题解决者而不是成为麻烦制造者。
4. Become curious--about yourself, about other people and about the world around you.
维持好奇心——对自己、别人与周遭世界
Dont take things at face value or believe everything you hear. Ask "why?" as often as a three-year-old. Be interested in whats underneath any information you hear, or learn. Where is it coming from? Why is it being passed along? Whats the background or intention? This is different from being paranoid--instead, its taking a sincere interest in learning. Life is a schoolhouse for those who want to learn and explore.
不要只看表面价值或相信你的耳闻，要像一个三岁小孩一样常常问“为何?” 对你听来的任何信息都有兴趣想要认识一下。这个信息来自哪儿?为何传出这个信息?这个信息的背景和目的又是什么?这并非偏执狂，而是对真心想知道学习的兴趣。对于那些想要学习和探索的人而言，生活是一座校舍。
5. Never sTOP networking or making connections.
永远都不要停止社交或停止建议联系。
For many people the world is small; its their family or the place of work they visit each day. There is a world of people out there to connect with, to learn from and to engage with. You dont have to become a social butterfly, flitting from one event to another, but its important to have connections and contacts. Keep in touch with people. Be interested in their lives and share information about yours. You never know when you will need a friend or colleague to help you somewhere along the way.
对不少人来讲，世界非常小，这个小小的世界是大家天天生活或工作的地方。这个世界的大家都有着千丝万缕的联系，大家互相联系，相互学习，彼此接触。你不必成为一名交际花，把每件事都灵活妥善处置好，但与大伙维持联系非常重要。要感兴趣与大伙推荐你的生活和信息。你永远没办法预料到在生活的某个时候，会需要朋友或同事助你一把。
6. Give up being a naysayer.
不要做消极的否定者。
There are plenty of people who can tell you why something wont work, why it isnt possible and how negative to be. There are numerous newspapers and websites to tell you how dire circumstances are, and to encourage you to just give up. Instead, refuse to believe the naysayers and dont participate in their game. Find the positive in every day. Simply being able to walk, talk and breathe is a gift. Be a glass-half-full kind of person even when circumstances seem to tell you otherwise.
有不少人都对你说：为何如此不可以，为何如此是不可能的，又有多消极。在处于严峻状况的形势下，多家报纸和网站都只不过鼓励你大不了舍弃而已。不应该如此，你应该拒绝相信这类消极的否定者，不要加入他们的游戏。天天去发现积极的东西。容易如会走路、会说话、能呼吸，都是日常美好的礼物。即便状况好像非常糟糕，也要成为乐观的人。
The most learned person can only gain so much from reading books, from laboratory testing and from sitting in class. Real learning comes from experiencing the world and seeing your place in it. Try and apply any one of these seven tips to forward your life and career.
即便是最有才华的人，也只能从念书、从实验室实验中与坐在课堂上听课收成常识。真的的学习源自历程这个世界，看清自己身处其中的地方。在你的生活和职业中，尝试应用上述这七个生活小知识。
7. Share your talents.
推荐你的才能。
Everyone has a gift to offer. Its a waste to keep your gifts hidden from the world. Find out what you are good at, or the talent you can share, and actively seek places to share those gifts.
每一个人都有自己天生的才华，把我们的才华隐藏起来是一种浪费。发现我们的长处，或者找出你可以推荐的才能，并积极寻求推荐这类才华天分的地方。
