Gaokao over, students feel relief, excitement for future

Editor's note: The annual college entrance examination, known as gaokao, has drawn to a close. For the vast majority of students, this grueling test marks their first major foray into intense competition. With the results now released, some are jubilant, others disheartened, most are brimming with anticipation for university life ahead.

Cheng Yuhan, 18, high school graduate in Shuozhou, Shanxi province

On the morning of June 9, we concluded the first major milestone of our lives, sitting the gaokao. Seeing my classmates' faces brimming with joy and happiness, a feeling of relief washed over me.

The next day, returning to school to collect our graduation photos, stepping into No 1 Middle School in Shuocheng district felt completely different from my first time entering it. That first time was filled with eager anticipation and longing. Three years later, as we prepared to leave, it was filled with deep gratitude and nostalgia.

During these years studying in the school, the luckiest thing was meeting my teacher Lan Huiyun. Honestly, when I first saw his name, I thought it was a female teacher. But over these three years, Lan truly possessed the attentiveness often associated with female teachers. He provided countless guidance, and he helped me most with interpersonal relationships.

My personality is rather boisterous, and sometimes I don't immediately recognize my own mistakes. It was he who patiently called me to his office each time to help me resolve issues. The biggest change in me over these three years has been in my personality and how I treat others.

During these three years, we participated in various activities, big and small, from visiting nursing homes, planting trees and helping left-behind children, to watching movies after exams and receiving small gifts on holidays.

In my three years of high school, I accomplished a small feat: I wrote four sets of diaries, recording everything about our class. From the diaries, it is clear that we spent these three years under the careful care of all our teachers, learning amid happiness and growing through learning.

I am not a top student, yet Lan never treated me poorly because of my grades. On the contrary, I was considered one of his capable assistants in class. Under his care, I was able to utilize my strengths and never felt inferior because of my academic performance.

I didn't score very well in the gaokao, only getting 389 points from 750, and I wasn't very satisfied. But I didn't get discouraged. Lan's teaching influenced me: "Don't negate yourself because of one mistake; within what is already decided, do your best to handle the remaining things well."

So, I started looking at university options with my parents — considering locations, schools and majors. After a week of research, we finally settled on a major in the medical field.

Why? First, because given the current social development and China's aging population, I want to do what I can to help others. I want to strive to become a warm and kind person.

Second, because my personality is quite outgoing, it allows me to communicate well with others. Third, because I hope to be able to care well for my parents in their old age.

For this summer vacation, I chose to learn how to dance. Every time I sweat to the music, every time I exert strength, finding the rhythm feels incredibly comfortable. I also plan to learn to drive and get my driver's license.

I'm also thinking about joining some clubs after entering university and ideally holding a small monitoring position in the class, continuing to leverage my social and personality strengths.

University, for me, is a place full of hope, symbolizing a new stage of life. Although I'll be starting at a vocational college, it is a springboard for me. I hope I can make good use of these three years and then become a better version of myself.

I hope that in this new environment, at this new starting point, carrying my parents' expectations, Lan's teachings, and my own dreams, I can be brave when facing every difficulty, challenge and opportunity.

Cheng Yuhan spoke with Zou Shuo.