每個人都會犯錯。然而,如果你的行為模式不斷遭到質疑,那么哪怕你只犯過一次真正令人印象深刻的愚蠢錯誤,你的名聲都會比泰坦尼克號下沉得還要快。不過,不管你是初犯還是前科累累,為自己挽回一個良好的學生形象,更重要的是調整對自己的看法,永遠都不算太晚。
You Went Too Far2) 事情做過了頭
In an attempt to impress your new, older crush, you did stuff you weren't ready for, and you instantly regretted it. Even worse? He told his crew—who then told the whole school—and now you're sure everyone has the wrong idea about you.
Rep Remedy3): Bet you're wishing you could wear a flashing sign saying, \"I made a mistake!\" While you can't broadcast your remorse4) to the entire student body, you can own up to5) your actions. Hold your head high, conjure up6) some confidence and know that everyone makes moves they regret.
為了給那位比你年長的最新迷戀對象留下好印象,你還沒準備好便匆匆行事,之后便立即后悔。更糟糕的是,他把這件事告訴了他的哥們兒——他的哥們兒又將這件事傳遍了整個校園——現在,你確信誰都對你抱有錯誤的看法了。
名聲補救法:我敢肯定,你現在希望自己能掛著一個閃爍的告示牌,上面寫著:“我錯了!”你雖然無法向全體學生宣告自己的悔恨之意,但卻可以承認自己做錯了事情。昂首挺胸,為自己找出一點自信,要知道,每個人都會做出令自己后悔的舉動。
You Got Caught in a Lie說謊被揭穿
You told your bud you're stuck babysitting your sibs and can't go to the sci-fi film with her. Truth is, you're hitting a party with your summer camp crew. All's cool 'til your friend sees you tagged in pics of the party on Facebook.
Rep Remedy: Yikes7). Nothing kills your cred8) like lying—especially to a good bud. Dishonesty makes you untrustworthy, and who wants a friend like that? If you're caught, immediately come clean9) and offer a heartfelt apology. Explain why you weren't upfront10) in the first place, then promise to be truthful from here on out. And make sure that's no lie.
你告訴朋友說自己要照顧弟弟妹妹脫不開身,所以不能跟她一起去看科幻片了。事實是,你正和你夏令營結識的那群伙伴聚會。一切都相安無事,直到你的朋友在Facebook上分享的聚會照片中看到你被圈了出來。
名聲補救法:哎呀!沒有什么事兒能比說謊更有損你的可信度了——尤其是向好朋友說謊。不誠實讓別人覺得你不值得信賴,誰愿意跟這樣的人交朋友呢?如果你說謊被人揭穿了,立即把事實和盤托出,并真誠地向對方道歉。解釋一下為什么自己一開始沒有坦誠相待,然后保證從此以后都不再說謊。你要確定這個保證可不是騙人的哦。
You Were Mean為人刻薄
Something about that person in your grade really bugs11) you. Maybe it's the way he/she sucks up to12) the teachers or laughs in an annoying way. Whatever it is, you can't help making fun of him/her to others—and even to his/her face. Word got around that you've been not so nice, and now you're labeled the school's newest mean girl. Ouch.
Rep Remedy: The first step is probably gonna be the hardest: apologize, apologize, apologize. Pull aside the girl (or girls) you've been tormenting13) and offer a sincere14), private apology. She doesn't want to accept? Let it go and begin working to improve your image. Chances are, you treated others unfairly because, deep down inside, something was bugging you about yourself. Get immersed15) in some activities that make you smile—sports, volunteering at the animal shelter or tutoring younger kids. Once you're happy with yourself again, your entire outlook on life—and other people—will improve.
你們年級有個人的所作所為真讓你惱火。或許是因為他/她拍老師馬屁時的諂媚模樣,又或許是因為他/她笑起來的樣子很討厭。不管出于什么原因,你總是忍不住在別人面前取笑他/她,甚至是當著他/她的面。于是便有傳言說你一向都對人不那么友善,現在你被扣上了學校新晉刻薄女生的帽子。糟糕了。
名聲補救法:第一步大概是最難辦到的:那就是道歉,道歉,再道歉。把你一直以來折磨的那個女生(或那幾個女生)拉到一邊,私下向她(們)致以真誠的歉意。她不愿意接受?那就由它去吧,現在要開始著手改善你的形象。你之所以不公正地對待他人,很可能是因為在你的內心深處有一些你自己的事情令你心煩意亂。專心投入一些能讓你高興的活動吧,比如體育活動,為動物收容所提供志愿服務或者輔導小孩們的功課。一旦你重新對自己感到滿意,你對人生和其他人的整體看法就會得到改善。
You Got Caught Cheating 作弊被抓
You're overloaded this semester, and studying for French took a backseat to Bio. So when your teacher tosses out16) a pop quiz, you're completely clueless ... and copy your brainy17) bud's answers. Seems like an easy way to score an A, 'til your teacher taps you on the shoulder. Busted18)!
Rep Remedy: Owning up to your error is crucial. Any time you break a rule—especially in school—it's best to fess up19) to your missteps20) instead of denying them or coming up with a million excuses for why you did what you did. We know you know better, so act like it. Accept the punishment and promise to work extra-hard so you're better prepared. Smart persons (like you!) won't make the same mistake twice.
這學期你課業負擔很重,法語的學習只能讓位給生物。于是,當老師搞突擊測驗時,你完全茫然無措……只好抄襲一下腦子好的朋友的答案。這樣似乎很容易就可以拿到一個A,直到老師拍了拍你的肩膀。完蛋了!
名聲補救法:坦白承認自己的錯誤很關鍵。不管你什么時候違反了規定,都最好老實承認自己的錯誤(尤其是在學校),而非矢口否認或者為自己的所作所為找無數借口。你肯定比我們更清楚這一點,所以照辦吧。接受懲罰并保證自己要加倍努力,這樣才能作好更充分的準備。聰明的人(你就是其中之一!)不會再犯同樣的錯。
1.rep [rep] n. <美口> (尤指在幫派中的)名氣,名聲
2.go too far: 離譜,離格兒;過分
3.remedy [#712;rem#601;di] n. <喻> 補救(辦法);糾正(辦法);消除(辦法)
4.remorse [r#618;#712;m#596;#720;s] n. 痛悔,悔恨;自責
5.own up (to): 坦白地承認;供認
6.conjure up: 如用魔法(或魔術)般地使出現;想出,設想
7.yikes [ja#618;ks] int. <口> [表示震驚]呀!
8.cred [kred] n. <口> 可靠性,可信性
9.come clean: 全盤招供,和盤托出;說實話
10.upfront [#716;#652;p#712;fr#652;nt] adj. 公開的,坦率的
11.bug [b#652;ɡ] vt. <美俚> 煩擾,糾纏;使惱怒
12.suck up to: <口> 巴結,奉承
13.torment [#712;t#596;#720;ment] vt. 折磨;使痛苦;使煩惱;煩擾
14.sincere [s#618;n#712;s#618;#601;(r)] adj. (行為、信仰等)真心實意的,真誠的
15.immerse [#618;#712;m#604;#720;s] vt. 使專心于
16.toss out: (非正式地)提出……供討論
17.brainy [#712;bre#618;ni] adj. <口> 有才能的;聰明的;思想活躍的;機敏的
18.busted [#712;b#652;st#618;d] adj. <口> 做壞事時被當場抓到且有可能受到懲罰的
19.fess up: <口> 供認,坦白,交代
20.misstep [#716;m#618;s#712;step] n. <美> (判斷上的)錯誤;失策