【学英语】高中毕业前，我第一次认真考虑自己的未来

I used to think that life would become easier after high school. For years, my days had followed almost the same routine. I woke up early, went to class, finished my homework, spent time with my friends, and came home for dinner. Sometimes I complained about school, especially when teachers gave us too much homework or when I had to study for an important exam. I often told myself that I would be happier when I finally graduated.

Now graduation is only a few weeks away, and I am not as excited as I expected to be.

One Monday morning, I was sitting at the kitchen table, eating toast and checking my phone. My father was reading the news, and my mother was preparing for work. Everything seemed normal until my father put down his newspaper and looked at me.

“So, what are you going to do after graduation?” he asked.

I stopped scrolling through my phone. I had heard that question before, but I usually gave a short answer. I might say that I wanted to go to college, get a good job, or travel somewhere. Those answers sounded reasonable, but I had never made a real plan.

“I’m not sure yet,” I admitted. “I might get a job first. Then I can decide whether I want to go to college.”

My father nodded slowly. “That’s a possibility. But have you thought about how much money you’ll need?”

I looked down at my breakfast. The truth was that I had barely thought about money at all. I knew that adults had to pay rent, buy groceries, pay bills, and take care of their cars. However, those things had always seemed far away from my own life. My parents handled most of the household expenses, and I rarely asked how much anything cost.

My mother sat down beside us. “There’s nothing wrong with working before college,” she said. “But you need to understand what you’re choosing. If you want to study later, you should think about tuition, transportation, and your living expenses.”

I felt a little uncomfortable. Part of me wanted my parents to tell me exactly what to do. Another part wanted them to leave me alone and let me make my own decisions. I wanted the freedom of being an adult, but I had not fully considered the responsibilities that came with it.

That afternoon, I stayed in my room and opened my laptop. I created a new document and gave it a simple title: “My Plan for the Next Three Years.”

At first, the page remained almost empty. I typed a few ideas, deleted them, and started again. I wrote down “find a job,” “save money,” “get a driver’s licence,” and “consider college.” They looked like simple goals, but I did not know how to turn them into actual steps.

I decided to start with the most immediate problem: finding a job.

I searched online for entry-level positions in my area. Some stores were hiring cashiers, restaurants needed servers, and a local warehouse was looking for assistants. I was surprised by how many jobs required previous experience. I had spent years studying English, mathematics, science, and history, but I had never learned how to write a résumé or answer questions in a job interview.

I opened a blank résumé template and stared at the screen.

What could I put on it? I had no full-time work experience. I had never managed a budget, supervised employees, or completed a major project at work. For a moment, I felt that I had nothing valuable to offer.

Then I remembered helping organize a school event. I had worked with several classmates, prepared materials, and made sure everything was ready before the event began. I had also volunteered at a community food drive one weekend. Those experiences were not professional jobs, but they showed that I could cooperate with others and take responsibility.

I added them to my résumé.

The next day, I talked to my friend Daniel during lunch. He planned to attend university in the fall, and he already seemed to know what he wanted to study.

“You look worried,” he said. “Everything okay?”

“I’m trying to figure out what to do after graduation. You already have your plans, but I’m still trying to get started.”

Daniel shrugged. “I’m nervous too. I just have a plan. That doesn’t mean I know exactly what will happen.”

His answer surprised me. I had assumed that everyone else was confident about the future and that I was the only person who felt lost. Maybe other people were simply better at hiding their doubts.

“Do you think I’m making a mistake by working first?” I asked.

“Not necessarily,” he replied. “It depends on what you want and what you can afford. Just make sure you don’t put off your decisions forever.”

I thought about that conversation on the way home. Working first might help me earn money and gain experience. On the other hand, if I became too comfortable with a regular paycheque, I might keep postponing college until it no longer seemed possible. I needed to be honest with myself about both the advantages and the risks.

That evening, I checked my bank account. I had some money from birthday gifts and occasional help around the neighbourhood, but not nearly enough to support myself. I wrote down my balance and began estimating how much I could save if I worked part-time for several months.

The numbers were not impressive. Still, seeing them on the page made the situation clearer. I could not pay for everything immediately, but I could start preparing.

I also realized that I needed to learn practical skills. I would have to understand my paycheque, manage my spending, communicate with employers, and eventually learn to drive. If I moved out one day, I would need to understand rental agreements, utility bills, and the cost of groceries. These were not things I could learn overnight.

For the first time, my future did not feel like a distant idea. It felt like a series of decisions that I would have to make, one at a time.

A few days later, my father asked whether I had made any progress.

“I’ve started working on my résumé,” I told him. “I’m going to apply for some jobs. I also want to save a certain amount of money before deciding about college.”

“That sounds more specific,” he said. “You don’t have to figure out your whole life this month. Start with the next step, and keep reviewing your plan.”

I realized that he was not asking me to have all the answers. He wanted me to take my future seriously.

There are still many things I do not know. I do not know where I will be in five years, what kind of work I will enjoy, or whether I will study at a university or choose another path. I may make mistakes, change my mind, or discover that my original plan does not work.

But I no longer want to wait for someone else to decide everything for me.

Graduation is approaching, and my life is about to change. I cannot control every opportunity or every problem that will come my way. What I can control is how I prepare, how I use my time, and whether I take responsibility for my choices.

I closed my laptop and looked again at the list on my screen. The plan was still incomplete, but it was a beginning.

For the first time, I understood that growing up does not mean knowing exactly what to do. It means being willing to ask questions, make decisions, learn from mistakes, and take the next step even when the future is uncertain.

我以前一直以为，高中毕业以后，生活就会变得轻松一些。多年来，我的每一天几乎都按照同样的规律度过：早早起床，去学校上课，完成作业，和朋友们待一会儿，然后回家吃晚饭。有时候，我也会抱怨学校的生活，尤其是老师布置太多作业，或者我必须为一场重要考试复习的时候。我经常告诉自己，等到终于毕业了，我就会过得更开心。

如今，距离毕业只剩下几个星期，我却没有预想中那么兴奋。

一个星期一的早晨，我坐在厨房的餐桌旁，一边吃吐司，一边查看手机。父亲正在看新闻，母亲则在为上班做准备。一切看起来都很平常，直到父亲放下报纸，转头看着我。

“那么，毕业以后你打算做什么？”他问。

我停下了滑手机的动作。以前也有人问过我这个问题，但我通常只是简单地回答几句。我可能会说自己想上大学、找一份好工作，或者去某个地方旅行。这些答案听起来都合情合理，但我从来没有真正制定过计划。

“我还不确定。”我承认道，“我可能会先找一份工作，然后再决定要不要上大学。”

父亲慢慢地点了点头。“这也是一种选择。不过，你有没有想过自己需要多少钱？”

我低头看着早餐。事实上，我几乎从来没有认真考虑过钱的问题。我知道成年人需要支付房租、购买食品、缴纳各种账单，还要照顾自己的汽车。然而，这些事情过去似乎都离我的生活很遥远。家里的大部分开销一直由父母承担，我也很少询问任何东西究竟要花多少钱。

母亲在我们旁边坐了下来。“大学之前先工作一段时间，没有什么不对。”她说，“但你得明白自己正在作出什么选择。如果以后还想读书，就应该考虑学费、交通费和生活开支。”

我感到有些不自在。我内心的一部分希望父母直接告诉我应该怎么做；另一部分却希望他们不要再管我，让我自己作决定。我渴望拥有成年人的自由，却没有充分考虑自由背后伴随的责任。

那天下午，我待在自己的房间里，打开笔记本电脑。我新建了一个文档，给它取了一个简单的标题：“未来三年的计划”。

一开始，页面几乎是空白的。我打了几个想法，又把它们删掉，然后重新开始。我写下“找工作”“存钱”“考取驾照”和“考虑上大学”。这些目标看起来都很简单，但我不知道怎样把它们变成真正可以执行的步骤。

我决定先从眼前最迫切的问题入手：找工作。

我在网上搜索附近的入门级工作。几家商店正在招聘收银员，一些餐馆需要服务员，还有一家当地仓库正在招聘助理。我惊讶地发现，许多工作都要求应聘者具备相关经验。我花了好几年学习英语、数学、科学和历史，却从来没有学过怎样写简历，也不知道参加工作面试时应该如何回答问题。

我打开一份空白的简历模板，盯着屏幕发呆。

我究竟能在上面写些什么？我没有全职工作经验，从来没有管理过预算、监督过员工，也没有在工作中完成过大型项目。有那么一会儿，我觉得自己根本没有什么值得雇主看重的能力。

接着，我想起了自己曾经帮忙组织学校活动的经历。我和几位同学一起合作，准备所需材料，并确保活动开始前一切就绪。还有一个周末，我参加了社区食品捐赠活动。这些经历并不是正式的职业工作，但它们至少说明，我能够与别人合作，也愿意承担责任。

我把这些经历写进了简历。

第二天午餐时间，我和朋友丹尼尔聊了起来。他打算秋季进入大学学习，而且似乎已经知道自己想学什么专业。

“你看起来很发愁。”他说，“一切都还好吗？”

“我正在想毕业以后该做什么。你已经有了自己的计划，而我还在摸索起步。”

丹尼尔耸了耸肩。“我也很紧张。我只是有一个计划而已，这并不意味着我知道将来一定会发生什么。”

他的回答让我感到意外。我原以为其他人都对未来充满信心，只有我一个人感到迷茫。也许别人只是更善于掩饰自己的疑虑。

“你觉得我先工作再读书，是个错误吗？”我问。

“不一定。”他回答，“这取决于你想要什么，以及你能负担得起什么。只要确保自己不会永远把决定拖下去就行。”

回家的路上，我一直在思考这番话。先工作也许能让我挣钱并积累经验。另一方面，如果我逐渐习惯了每次发薪日都有工资到账的生活，也许就会不断推迟上大学的计划，直到有一天觉得自己再也无法实现它。我必须诚实地看待这种选择的好处和风险。

那天晚上，我查看了自己的银行账户。我有一些生日礼物留下的钱，也曾经通过偶尔帮邻居做事挣到一点收入，但这些钱远远不足以支撑我独立生活。我记下账户余额，然后开始估算，如果接下来几个月做兼职，自己能够存下多少钱。

算出来的数字并不惊人。不过，把这些数字写在纸上，让我更清楚地看到了现实。我还不能立刻支付所有开销，但我可以从现在开始准备。

我也意识到，自己需要学习一些实用技能。我必须看懂工资单，管理日常支出，与雇主沟通，并且最终学会开车。如果有一天搬出去独立生活，我还需要理解租赁协议、水电账单以及购买食品的成本。这些事情都不可能在一夜之间学会。

我第一次觉得，未来不再只是一个遥远的想法。它变成了一连串需要由我亲自作出的决定，而我必须一次处理好一个。

几天后，父亲问我有没有什么进展。

“我已经开始写简历了。”我告诉他，“我准备申请几份工作。我也想先存下一笔钱，再决定是否上大学。”

“这就具体多了。”他说，“你不需要在这个月里就想清楚自己一辈子的事情。先迈出下一步，然后不断检查和调整自己的计划。”

我这才明白，父亲并不是要求我知道所有问题的答案。他希望我认真对待自己的未来。

我仍然有很多事情不知道。我不知道五年后自己会在哪里，不知道自己会喜欢什么样的工作，也不知道最终会进入大学，还是选择另一条道路。我可能会犯错、改变主意，也可能发现最初的计划根本行不通。

但我不再想等着别人替我决定一切。

毕业的日子越来越近，我的生活也即将发生变化。我无法控制未来出现的每一个机会，也无法预知将会遇到的所有问题。我能够掌握的，是自己如何准备、怎样利用时间，以及是否愿意为自己的选择承担责任。

我合上笔记本电脑，又看了一眼屏幕上的清单。计划仍然不完整，但至少已经有了一个开端。

我第一次明白，长大成人并不意味着必须知道每一步该怎么走。它意味着愿意提出问题、作出决定、从错误中学习，并且即使未来仍然充满不确定性，也愿意继续迈出下一步。

本课的重点不是把每个单词都背下来，而是优先掌握能够在现实生活中反复使用的表达。下面这些词语都与故事情节直接相关。
1. graduate
动词 /ˈɡrædʒuˌeɪt/；名词 graduate 也可表示毕业生
含义： 毕业；完成某一阶段的学业。
I will graduate from high school in a few weeks.
我再过几个星期就要高中毕业了。
常见搭配： graduate from high school（高中毕业）；graduate from college（大学毕业）；a recent graduate（刚毕业的人）。
注意，表示“从某所学校毕业”时，通常使用 graduate from。

2. future
名词 /ˈfjuːtʃər/
含义： 未来；将来的情况。
I started thinking seriously about my future.
我开始认真思考自己的未来。
常见搭配： in the future（将来）；future plans（未来计划）；a bright future（光明的未来）；future career（未来职业）。
表达“认真考虑未来”时，可以说 think seriously about my future。

3. plan
名词 /plæn/；动词 /plæn/
含义： 计划；规划；打算。
I need to make a plan for the next three years.
我需要为未来三年制定一个计划。
常见搭配： make a plan（制定计划）；plan ahead（提前规划）；plan to do something（计划做某事）；a long-term plan（长期计划）。
注意区别：plan to do 后面接动词原形，例如 I plan to work.（我计划先工作。）

4. apply
动词 /əˈplaɪ/
含义： 申请；应用。
I decided to apply for several jobs.
我决定申请几份工作。
常见搭配： apply for a job（申请工作）；apply for a position（申请职位）；apply to a university（向大学提出申请）；apply for financial aid（申请经济援助）。
记住两个常用结构：apply for + 申请的东西；apply to + 接收申请的机构。

5. experience
名词 /ɪkˈspɪriəns/；也可作动词
含义： 经验；经历。
Many jobs require previous experience.
许多工作要求应聘者具有相关经验。
常见搭配： work experience（工作经验）；previous experience（以往的经验）；gain experience（积累经验）；a learning experience（一次学习经历）。
表示一般意义上的经验时，experience 通常是不可数名词。表示一次具体经历时，也可以用作可数名词，例如 a valuable experience 在某些语境中指一段有价值的经历。

6. afford
动词 /əˈfɔːrd/
含义： 负担得起；有能力承担某种费用或代价。
I cannot afford to pay for everything right now.
我现在还负担不起所有开销。
常见搭配： afford a car（买得起汽车）；afford the rent（负担得起房租）；can't afford to do something（承担不起做某事的代价）。
它不只与金钱有关。例如 I can't afford to waste time. 意思是“我不能再浪费时间了”。

7. responsibility
名词 /rɪˌspɑːnsəˈbɪləti/
含义： 责任；应尽的职责。
I need to take responsibility for my choices.
我需要为自己的选择承担责任。
常见搭配： take responsibility for（对……负责）；personal responsibility（个人责任）；a sense of responsibility（责任感）。
注意动词形式 be responsible for，意思是“对……负责”。例如：I am responsible for paying my bills.（我有责任支付自己的账单。）

8. uncertain
形容词 /ʌnˈsɜːrtən/
含义： 不确定的；没有把握的。
The future is uncertain, but I can still prepare.
未来充满不确定性，但我仍然可以做好准备。
常见搭配： feel uncertain（感到不确定）；an uncertain future（不确定的未来）；be uncertain about something（对某事没有把握）。
当你还没有决定自己的计划时，可以说：I'm still uncertain about my plans.（我对自己的计划仍然没有把握。）

英语表达 中文含义 实际用法
be about to do 即将做某事 My life is about to change.
think about 思考；考虑 I need to think about my future.
figure out 弄清楚；想出办法 I'm trying to figure out what to do.
look for a job 找工作 I'm looking for a job.
entry-level position 入门级职位 I'm applying for an entry-level position.
previous work experience 以往的工作经验 I don't have much previous work experience.
take responsibility for 为……承担责任 I must take responsibility for my choices.
save money 存钱 I want to save money before college.
put off 推迟；拖延 Don't put off important decisions forever.
one step at a time 一步一步来 I'll work toward my goals one step at a time.

这里尤其要掌握三个北美日常英语中很常见的表达。

Figure out 不只是“计算”，还可以表示经过思考找到答案。例如，I'm trying to figure out what to do next. 意思是“我正在想清楚下一步该做什么”。
Put off 表示把某件事情推迟。例如，I keep putting off my application. 意思是“我一直拖着不提交申请”。
One step at a time 表示不急于一次解决所有问题，而是一步一步推进。这句话既可以用于学习，也可以用于工作、财务管理和人生规划。

句型一 I haven't decided whether to…
含义： 我还没有决定是否……
I haven't decided whether to go to college.
我还没有决定是否上大学。
可以替换为：
- I haven't decided whether to buy a car.（我还没有决定是否买车。）
- I haven't decided whether to move out.（我还没有决定是否搬出去住。）
- I haven't decided whether to accept the job.（我还没有决定是否接受这份工作。）
这个句型特别适合表达尚未作出的重要决定。

句型二 I'm trying to figure out…
含义： 我正在努力弄清楚……
I'm trying to figure out what to do after graduation.
我正在考虑毕业以后该做什么。
可以替换为：
- I'm trying to figure out how to save money.（我正在想办法存钱。）
- I'm trying to figure out where to live.（我正在考虑住在哪里。）
- I'm trying to figure out how to pay for college.（我正在想办法支付大学费用。）
what to do、where to live、how to pay 都是常见的“疑问词 + 不定式”结构。

句型三 It depends on…
含义： 这取决于……
It depends on what you want and what you can afford.
这取决于你想要什么，以及你能负担得起什么。
可以替换为：
- It depends on the cost.（这取决于费用。）
- It depends on my work schedule.（这取决于我的工作时间安排。）
- It depends on whether I can find a job.（这取决于我能否找到工作。）
这个表达可以帮助你解释决定并非只有一个固定答案。

句型四 I don't have to…, but I need to…
含义： 我不必……，但我需要……
I don't have to plan my whole life today, but I need to take the next step.
我不必今天就规划好整个人生，但我需要迈出下一步。
可以替换为：
- I don't have to buy a car now, but I need to save money.（我现在不必买车，但我需要存钱。）
- I don't have to make a final decision today, but I need to gather information.（我今天不必作出最终决定，但我需要收集资料。）
这个句型有助于区分“不必立即完成”和“仍然需要采取行动”。

1. Job 与 Career
Job 通常指一份具体的工作，career 更强调一个人长期发展的职业道路。
- I need to find a job. 我需要找一份工作。
- I want to build a career in technology. 我想在科技行业发展自己的职业生涯。
一个人可以先找到一份普通工作，再逐渐建立自己的职业道路。两者并不矛盾。
2. Plan 与 Goal
Goal 是希望实现的目标，plan 是实现目标的安排或步骤。
- My goal is to save $5,000. 我的目标是存下5000加元。
- My plan is to save $200 every month. 我的计划是每个月存200加元。
只有目标而没有计划，往往很难知道该从哪里开始。
3. Learn 与 Study
Study 强调学习、研究某个学科或内容；learn 更强调获得知识、技能或理解。
- I study English every evening. 我每晚学习英语。
- I want to learn how to communicate with customers. 我想学会怎样与顾客沟通。
日常使用中两者有重叠，但不能在所有语境中直接互换。
4. Decide 与 Choose
Decide 强调作出决定，choose 强调在不同选项中作出选择。
- I decided to look for a job. 我决定找工作。
- I chose a part-time job instead of a full-time position. 我选择了兼职工作，而不是全职职位。
可以先 decide 自己要找工作，再 choose 具体申请哪一份工作。
5. Salary 与 Paycheque
Salary 通常指按年或按月约定的薪资，paycheque 在加拿大英语中常指一次发放的工资款项或工资单，具体语境可能偏向实际收到的钱或工资记录。
- My annual salary is $40,000. 我的年薪是4万加元。
- I received my first paycheque today. 我今天领到了第一份工资。
加拿大许多雇主会直接将工资存入银行账户，即 direct deposit。因此，现代生活中不一定真的收到纸质支票。

Father: Have you thought about what you want to do after graduation?
Me: I've been thinking about it, but I haven't made a final decision yet.
Father: Are you planning to go to college?
Me: Maybe. I want to find a job first and save some money.
Father: That's reasonable. Have you worked out how much you'll need?
Me: Not exactly. I'm going to make a budget and look into the costs.
Father: Good. You don't need to have every answer today, but you do need a plan.
Me: I understand. I'll start with the things I can do now.
中文翻译
父亲：你有没有考虑过毕业以后想做什么？
我：我一直在考虑，但还没有作出最终决定。
父亲：你打算上大学吗？
我：也许吧。我想先找一份工作，存一些钱。
父亲：这很合理。你算过自己需要多少钱吗？
我：还没有完全算清楚。我准备制定预算，并了解相关费用。
父亲：很好。你不必今天就知道所有问题的答案，但你确实需要一个计划。
我：我明白。我会先从现在能够做的事情开始。

Daniel: Have you applied for any jobs yet?

Me: I've started working on my résumé. I'll send out a few applications this week.

Daniel: That's a good start. Don't worry if you don't hear back right away.

Me: I'm worried that employers won't hire me because I don't have experience.

Daniel: Everyone has to start somewhere. Think about the skills you already have.

Me: You're right. I helped organize a school event, and I volunteered in my community.

Daniel: Those experiences count. Make sure you explain what you learned from them.

Me: Thanks. I feel a little more confident now.

中文翻译

丹尼尔：你已经申请工作了吗？

我：我已经开始写简历了。这周我会投出几份申请。

丹尼尔：这是个不错的开始。如果没有马上收到回复，也别太担心。

我：我担心雇主会因为我没有经验而不愿意雇用我。

丹尼尔：每个人都得有个起点。想想你已经具备哪些技能。

我：你说得对。我曾经帮忙组织学校活动，也参加过社区志愿服务。

丹尼尔：这些经历也有价值。记得说明自己从中学到了什么。

我：谢谢你。我现在稍微有信心一些了。

1. What are you going to do after graduation?
提示：用 I’m planning to… 或 I haven’t decided yet. 开头。
I'm planning to find a job first and save some money.

2. Why do you want to save money?
提示：可以谈学费、住房或未来的生活开支。
I want to save money because I may need to pay for college and living expenses.

3. What can you do if you don't have work experience?
提示：谈谈学校活动、志愿服务或你已经掌握的技能。
I can include school projects, volunteer work, and useful skills on my résumé.

4. What would you do if your first plan didn't work?
提示：用 If my plan didn't work… 开头。
If my plan didn't work, I would review my options and try another approach.

这篇短文与主故事相互补充，重点练习表达目标、困难、选择和行动。朗读时不要急着逐词翻译，先理解每个段落在说什么，再尝试用自然的节奏读出来。

A Small Step Toward Independence

For a long time, I thought that becoming an adult meant having everything figured out. I imagined that people who were older than me knew exactly what they wanted, how to earn money, and how to make the right decisions. Now that I am close to graduating from high school, I realize that life is not that simple.

Many important decisions involve uncertainty. I may not know which job will suit me best, whether I should attend college immediately, or how much money I will need in the next few years. However, not knowing everything does not mean I have to do nothing.

I can begin by learning practical skills. I can prepare a résumé, practise answering interview questions, and learn how to communicate professionally. I can also track my spending, set a savings goal, and compare the costs of different choices. Each small action can help me become more prepared for the future.

I have also learned that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. My parents have more life experience than I do, and my friends may have useful ideas that I have never considered. I can listen to their advice without expecting them to make every decision for me. In the end, I am the person who must live with the results of my choices.

There will probably be setbacks. I may apply for several jobs and receive no offers. I may save money for months and then face an unexpected expense. I may even change my plans after discovering that something is different from what I expected. When these things happen, I will need to review my situation and decide what to do next.

I do not need to solve every problem before graduation. I need to take my responsibilities seriously, learn from experience, and keep moving forward. If I make a mistake, I can try to understand what went wrong. If an opportunity appears, I can consider whether it fits my goals. If I feel uncertain, I can gather more information instead of giving up.

Independence is not simply about moving out, earning a salary, or making decisions without asking permission. It is also about managing money, keeping promises, respecting other people, and accepting the consequences of my actions.

My future is still uncertain, but I no longer see that uncertainty as a reason to be afraid. I see it as a reason to prepare. I may not know where I will be in five years, but I can decide what I will do today.

And today, I can take one small step toward the life I want to build.

很长一段时间里，我一直以为，长大成人就意味着把所有事情都弄明白。我想象那些比我年长的人都清楚自己想要什么、怎样挣钱，以及怎样作出正确的决定。如今，我即将高中毕业，才逐渐意识到，生活并没有那么简单。
许多重要决定都伴随着不确定性。我可能不知道哪份工作最适合自己，不知道是否应该立即上大学，也不知道未来几年需要多少钱。然而，不知道所有问题的答案，并不意味着我什么都不用做。
我可以从学习实用技能开始。我可以准备简历、练习回答面试问题，并学习怎样进行专业得体的沟通。我还可以记录自己的开支、设定储蓄目标，并比较不同选择的成本。每一个小行动，都能让我为未来做好更多准备。
我也明白了，寻求帮助并不是软弱的表现。父母比我更有生活经验，朋友也许会提出一些我从未考虑过的有用建议。我可以听取他们的意见，却不必指望他们替我作出所有决定。最终，必须面对自己选择所带来结果的人，还是我自己。
生活中很可能会遇到挫折。我可能申请了好几份工作，却一份也没有得到。我可能存了几个月的钱，随后却遇到一笔意外开支。发现现实与预期不同以后，我甚至可能改变原来的计划。当这些事情发生时，我需要重新审视自己的处境，并决定下一步怎么办。
我不必在毕业之前解决所有问题。我需要认真对待自己的责任，从经历中学习，并继续向前走。如果我犯了错误，就可以试着弄清楚问题出在哪里。如果出现了机会，我可以考虑它是否符合自己的目标。如果我感到不确定，就可以收集更多信息，而不是直接放弃。
独立并不只是搬出去住、挣到工资，或者不再征求别人的许可就自行决定。独立还意味着管理好金钱、信守承诺、尊重他人，并接受自己行为所带来的后果。
我的未来仍然充满不确定性，但我不再把这种不确定性看作值得害怕的理由。我把它看作需要做好准备的理由。我可能不知道五年后自己会在哪里，但我可以决定今天要做什么。
而今天，我可以朝着自己希望建立的生活，迈出一小步。

尝试用英语回答以下问题，每题说三到五句话。可以先写下来，再大声朗读。
1. What do you want to do after graduation?（毕业以后你想做什么？）
2. What skills do you need to learn before becoming independent?（在独立生活之前，你需要学习哪些技能？）
3. What would you do if your first plan didn't work?（如果你的第一个计划行不通，你会怎么办？）
4. How can you prepare for unexpected expenses?（你怎样为意外开支做好准备？）
5. What does being independent mean to you?（对你，独立意味着什么？）
最后，试着用英语复述主人公的经历。不要逐字背诵原文，只需按照事情发生的顺序，讲清楚他为什么开始担心未来、怎样准备简历、如何与朋友讨论自己的选择，以及最后明白了什么。
本课最重要的三个表达是：
- I'm trying to figure out… —— 我正在努力弄清楚……
- It depends on… —— 这取决于……
- I need to take responsibility for… —— 我需要为……承担责任。
学会使用这三个表达，就可以开始讨论工作、学习、金钱和人生选择，而不仅仅是回答简单的英语问题。
本课的故事还没有结束。主人公已经开始准备简历，下一步将真正走进求职市场，面对第一批申请、雇主的回复，以及他从未经历过的第一次正式面试。