Many students in Taiwan feel great pressure before big exams. A recent survey shows that more than half of high school students often feel stressed. Their muscles get tense, and they can't sleep well. Some even panic in the exam room. If this sounds like you, try a few simple tips. Make a study routine and follow it every day. Take short breaks to relax your body and mind. Before the test, breathe slowly to calm your nerves. Most of all, don't be too hard on yourself. A good mood helps you do your best.

Last semester, a nasty rumor about a new student spread around my class. Many classmates laughed at her, and she often ate lunch alone. I felt sympathy for her, but at first I was too scared to say anything. One day, I saw tears in her eyes, and I couldn't just watch. I sat next to her and said, "I'm sorry about what happened." She smiled for the first time in weeks. Now we are best friends, and the tension in our class is gone.