电子书（新视野大学英语第三版第一册））

1.2. Text B What we wish

My dear child,
1 You are about top anticipate in the next leg of your journey through life.  For us, this part is bittersweet.  As you go off to college, exciting new worlds will open up to you. They will inspire and challenge you; you will grow in incredible ways.

2 This is also a moment of sadness.  Your departure to college makes it undeniably clear that you are no longer a child. There has been no greater joy than watching you arrive at this moment.  You have turned our greatest challenge into our greatest pride.  Although we have brought you to this point, it is hard to watch you depart.  Remember above all things, we will miss you. 

3 College will be the most important time of your life. It is here that you will truly discover what learning is about.  You often ask, "Why do I need to know this?"  I encourage you to stay inquisitive, but remember this: "Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school." What you learn is not as important as the fact that you learn.  This is the heart of scholarship: moving from teacher-taught to master-inspired, on over to the point where you become a self-learner.  So, take each subject seriously, and if something doesn't immediately engage you, don't despair. Embrace it as a challenge. Find a way to make it your own. 

4 Of course, you must still take care to sign up for courses which stimulate your passion you’re your intellectual capacity.  Don't be bound by what other people think.  Steve Jobs said, when you are in college, your passion will create many dots, and later in your life you will connect them.  So, don't worry too much about what job you will have; don't be too practical.  If you like French or Korean, study it even if someone else tells you that it's not useful. Enjoy picking your "dots". Be assured that one day, you will find your own meaningful career, and you will connect a beautiful curve through those dots. 

5 You know that we always want you to do your best, but don't let the pressure of grades get to you.  We care only that you try your very best, and that you learn.  It is better that your greatest effort earns a lesser grade than that no effort earns you a decent or higher grade.  Grades in the end are simply letters fit to give the vain something to boast about, and the lazy something to fear.  You are too good to be either.  The reward is not the grade but what you learn. 

6 More importantly, make friends and trust others. The friends you make in college can be the best ones you will ever have. During these years, when you move into adulthood, the friends you make in college live closer to you than your family.  You will form bonds of friendship that will blossom over many decades.  Pick friends who are genuine and sincere.  Select a few and become truly close to them.  Don't worry about their hobbies, grades, or looks.  Instead, trust your instincts when you make new friends.  You are a genuine and sincere person; anyone would enjoy your friendship. So be confident, secure, and proactive.  If you think you like someone, tell them. You have very little to lose.  Don't be afraid to trust.  Give others the benefit of the doubt, and don't reduce anyone to stereotypes.  Nobody is perfect; as long as others are genuine, trust them and be good to them. They will give back. 

7 Remember also that your youth is full of strength and beauty, something that you will not comprehend until it is gone.  You must guard and cultivate your strength and beauty.  A healthy body and a sound mind are the greatest instruments you will ever possess.  Enjoy life.  Dance if you feel like it. Don't be afraid of what other people think.  But also keep yourself safe and sound.  Don't let the range of new experiences take your innocence, health, or curiosity away from you.  Treasure your youth and the university experience before you. 

8 College is the time when you have: the first taste of independence, the greatest amount of free time, the most flexibility to change, the lowest cost for making mistakes. 

9 Approach these years enthusiastically!  Make the most of your time. Become the great thinker you were born to be.  Let your talents evolve to their fullest potential.  Be bold! Experiment!  Learn and grow!  We are enormously proud that you've made it this far, and we can't wait to see what you will become. 

Your father 

Words and Expressions
triumph 
n. （尤指苦战后获得的）胜利，成功，成就 

pledge 
vt. 发誓；作保证 

pose 
vi. （为照相或画像而）摆姿势 
vt. 造成，导致（困难或危险） 

routine 
n. 例行公事；常规；惯例 
a. 常规的；例行的；惯常的 

attain 
vt. 得到；获得；赢得 

foundation 
n. 基础 

resource 
n. 1 资源；2 自然资源 

faculty 
n. 1 全体教员；2 天赋；能力；本领 

comprehensive 
a. 综合的；多方面的 

facility 
n. （为某种目的而提供的）设施，设备 

community 
n. 1 （同住一地的人所构成的）社区；2 群体；团体 

explore 
vt. 探讨，研究（主题、思想等） 
v. 勘探；探测；考察 

fascinating 
a. 吸引人的；迷人的；使人神魂颠倒的 

pursue 
vt. 1 追求；致力于；2 追赶；追逐 

passion 
n. 1 强烈的爱好；热爱 
n. 2 强烈的情感；激情 

unique 
a. 1 特别的；极不寻常的；极好的；2 不同的；独特的 

enthusiasm 
n. 热爱；热情；热心 

reap 
vt. 收获；获得 
v. 收割（庄稼） 

benefit 
n. 好处；益处；裨益 

opportunity 
n. 机会；时机 

overwhelm 
vt. （数量大得）使无法对付 

available 
a. 可获得的；可利用的；现成的 

sample 
vt. 1 体验；2 对…作抽样检验 
n. 样本；样品；货样 

assume 
vt. 假定；假设；认为 

emerge 
vi. 1 出现；为……所公认；2 出现；露出 

giant 
a. 巨大的；特大的 

mate 
n. 同事；同伴 

roommate 
n. （尤指大学里的）室友 

owl 
n. 猫头鹰 

virtual 
a. 1 几乎相同的；实质上的；2 虚拟的；模拟的 

virtually 
ad. 1 实际上；几乎；差不多；2 虚拟地；模拟地 

enrich 
vt. 使丰富；充实；强化 

glow 
n. 1 （某种）强烈的情感；2 柔和稳定的光 
vi. 发出柔和稳定的光 

confidence 
n. 1 信心；信赖；信任；2 自信心 

yield 
vt. 1 产生（结果等）；2 出产；产生 
vi. 屈从；让步 

abundant 
a. 大量的；丰富的；充裕的 

responsibility 
n. 1 （道德、社会）责任，义务；2 责任；3 职责；任务；义务 

inherit 
vt. 沿袭，秉承（信仰、传统或生活方式） 
v. 继承（财产） 

inheritor 
n. 1 （生活或思想方式的）后继者，继承人；2 遗产继承人 

transmit 
vt. 传送；传递；传播 

acquire 
vt. 1 学到，获得（知识、技能）；2 取得；获得；3 购得；得到 

prosperous 
a. 富裕的；繁荣的；兴旺的 

remind sb. of sb./sth. 
1 使某人想起某人或某事 
2 使某人想起（相似的）人或事 

get by 
过活；过得去；勉强应付 

make the most of sth. 
最大限度地利用某物 

reap the benefits (of sth.) 
得享（某事物的）好处 

in advance 
预先；提前 

stand a chance (of doing sth.) 
有（做成某事的）希望 

over time 
逐渐地；慢慢地 

turn (sb./sth.) into sth. 
（使某人/某物）变成 

all at once 
1 同时 
2 一下子；突然 

take pleasure in (doing) sth. 
乐于做某事 

open the door to sth. 
给…以机会；给…敞开方便之门 

take delight in (doing) sth. 
以（做）某事为乐 

Vera Wang 
王薇薇（1949– ，著名美籍华裔设计师，被誉为“婚纱女王”）