Students tell of testing times in Wuhan

Gaokao candidates experience range of emotions

Huang Yuting, a 12th-grade student in Wuhan, capital of Hubei province and the city hardest hit by the novel coronavirus outbreak in China, said it not only reduced her to tears and despair, but also firmly tested her resolve.

The 17-year-old took the national college entrance exam, or gaokao, with 53,000 other students in Wuhan on July 7 and 8. Due to the pandemic, the exam had been postponed for a month to give candidates more time to prepare.

However, the outbreak not only changed the schedule for the gaokao, which this year was taken by more than 10.71 million students, but also affected the lives of candidates and their parents in many respects.

In late January, Huang was diagnosed with the novel coronavirus as she was preparing for the exam, which has a significant bearing on students' career paths.

In February, a picture of her reviewing course work at a temporary hospital, which was set up for those who tested positive for the virus but did not show severe symptoms, went viral on social media platforms.

Huang was pictured wearing a face mask as she studied from a bed. Many people were touched by her calm approach and determination not to give up.

"I enjoyed preparing for the exam. I've put in the effort and achieved something in return," Huang said.

She added that staying in the hospital made her think about the future.

Huang has always wanted to be a teacher, as she considers education to be a perfect career for a woman. However, she said she thought about becoming a doctor after witnessing medical workers save lives during the pandemic.

"But I'll have to abandon this dream, because I majored in art in high school. I still aim to be a teacher, as it will feel good to help students," she said.

Recalling the time she spent in hospital, Huang said she misses it but has no desire to return.

"I have mixed feelings. I liked how people got along with one another. It was easy and fun. I met different people, made many friends and understood how diversified society can be. What I won't miss is testing positive for the virus after being treated," she said.