#high school senior
China’s National College Entrance Examination— or gaokao, as the test is known in Mandarin, takes place this Sunday and Monday. These two days will decide the destiny for over 10 million Chinese high school students ready to graduate.
In USA, when you apply to colleges you write essays, send your grades, send your test scores, tell them about your extracurriculars. The colleges look at many different things about you to see if you are a good fit. In China, is all about this test. The reading and math classes your parents put you in at age 5, the night classes and weekend classes you have been attending for years, your inability to take a vacation because you always had to study, even during the summer, this is where you see if it all pays off. In a Times article they quoted a Chinese exam tutor who said, “The gaokao is about the most pressure-packed examination in the World, given the numbers, the repercussions, and the stress involved.”
I remember when I was applying to colleges. I was so stressed sometimes I couldn’t eat and there were many tears. I can’t even imagine what all of these students go through here and have so much respect for their hard work and ability to deal with pressure. But many students can’t deal with the pressure. The Globalist states, “Although suicide is the fifth-leading cause of death in China, it has become the leading cause of death among young people. It is estimated that 287,000 people commit suicide every year in China.” This article also stated “The high number of suicides among Chinese adolescents result mostly from the extreme pressure from their families to perform well in school and excel in their studies. In addition to those pressures, teenagers experience feelings of isolation and loneliness which make them prone to attempt suicide.”
Many of these students wake up at 6am to get to school and then stay at school until it’s over at 6pm and then go to more classes or go home and stay up late and do homework. I believe that the way this school system is set up makes it very difficult for students to make great friendships with each other. So, when a student is stressed by the pressure of his or her family, it is hard to reach out and find someone to help them through. My students complain to me almost every day that they have too much homework and at first I was just thinking they were big complainers but then I realized that they are piled on with homework. On Mondays when I ask them how their weekend was they just tell me how they have too much homework and other classes. These kids are under so much pressure that many of them already have grey hair.
These students are under more pressure than I can even imagine, yet they keep moving forward. I talked to a student the other day who is about to take the test and she said she is so excited about her future that she is ready to take the test. These students are put under pressure that I don’t think anyone that age should ever go through, yet I am so impressed by these students bravery to face this pressure and give this test their best shot. I think these students’ attitudes should be recognized and people from all ages, all around the world, should be inspired by them… I know I am.
To all the students out there preparing or filling out college applications: don’t freak out.
Take it from me - no matter where you go, you will not be unhappy. College is a pretty big deal, but where you go will not dictate your life and your experiences. Here are some words of advice:
1. Only apply to schools you feel confident about. Applying to schools that don’t have your major or interests is a waste of time, energy, and money. Apply to schools you would be proud to attend and can see yourself at. This was a struggle for me - I wasn’t accepted into my dream school, but my backup school was still one I would be comfortable with attending (I know I didn’t come off that way on this blog).
2. Don’t lie on applications. You want a university to want you for YOU, not for this made up person on paper (or, in most cases, online). Of course, bring out your best qualities and characteristics, but don’t go telling a school you are the president of a club or founded a group, if it isn’t true. Be you!
3. Don’t get stressed if you don’t get into your first choice. That was me. I was crushed and felt sad, which is normal and OK. That was something people often forget to mention: it’s okay to be sad about college. There are so many other universities out there (approx. 2,169!) and you will find one that you will fall in love with.
4. Make the best of the school you’re at. I thought I would hate my school, but after being here for two weeks, I’m realizing that I do like it. I like the city (town), the school, and the people. Give it some time. And if you’re going to your first choice, don’t go in with extremely high expectations. Be realistic, but still have fun!
Good luck to everyone sending out applications this fall and winter. You’ll all do great!
Fin.
