Other doors
Scrolling through Facebook this week, it seems like nothing is as "hot" as the high school graduation exam. Before the exam, there was nervousness; during the exam, there was anticipation and anxiety; and now that the exam is over, there's a flurry of waiting for the results.
Every year there's a graduation exam, and every year the whole society is gripped with anxiety. And rightly so, every family has children or grandchildren going through this ordeal, 12 years of diligent study, all waiting for this one exam...
Having spent many years reporting on the high school graduation exam, standing outside the school gates for two full days, interviewing everyone from parents to students, I've witnessed countless drops of sweat, radiant smiles, hesitations when asked "Did you do well on the exam?", and even tears.
Some candidates enter the exam room with confidence, but leave the school gates dejected and disheartened. Some young people jump for joy because they were lucky enough to do well on the exam, while others are tearful and choked up because the questions were too difficult for them. Some parents are understanding, waiting for their children with cheerful expressions; but there are also those who sternly criticize their children for neglecting their studies and losing points on easy questions. The exam environment is full of diverse emotions.
Over 1 million students nationwide have concluded their memorable "exam challenge" with smiles and tears; all that remains now is waiting for the results. The exam results not only reflect the quality of their 12 years of schooling but also serve as the basis for university admissions. Therefore, except for a few students who qualify for early admission and are accepted into their desired universities, the majority are anxiously awaiting the announcement of their scores to decide their next life path.
Everyone hopes for a bright and promising future ahead. They hope to get into a top university, to be accepted into their first-choice program. But sometimes, the results might not be what they hoped for, or what their parents wished for.
I've received countless desperate messages: "Sister, I didn't get into university!"; "I'm a failure"; "My parents say they're disappointed in me…" Many times, even though I regularly provide psychological counseling for difficult cases and constantly write articles to alleviate stress for exam candidates, I couldn't help but feel choked up.
I feel so sorry for these students. Why don't we give them the right to fail? Why don't we help them see other doors besides the one to university? Why don't we tell them: it's okay, this is just one exam among countless exams in life?
They have just turned 18, 18 short years in a long life. Ahead of them lie countless choices: if not University A, then University B; if not university, then vocational school; if not vocational training, then overseas employment; if not overseas employment, then applying for jobs as factory workers, small business owners, freelancers…
Being a university student is fun, but there's an abundance of joy available in every profession, waiting for you to experience and discover. Never draw a circle for yourself to jump in, don't confine your life to just one environment, and never think that the glittering door is the only way into life.
When one door closes, others open, and even wider, revealing opportunities that, if confidently seized, will lead you to success in your own way. There are many things that universities cannot teach you, but life can. Around the world, there are hundreds of billionaires and famous people who didn't go to university but still shine, especially in today's interconnected world where opportunities for wealth and success are equally distributed to everyone.
If you get low scores on exams and fail to get into university, advising students not to be sad and depressed would be a lie. Failure is bound to make you sad, even very sad, but once you've grieved enough, stand up, open your heart and mind, calmly assess your strengths and weaknesses and your family circumstances, and choose a path that suits your abilities and situation.
The destination in life is probably the same for everyone, but the paths are countless. Youth is the most precious asset in life; while you possess it, don't waste it. Instead, remind yourselves of the word "Dare": dare to stand up, dare to start over, dare to be strong, dare to take risks, dare to face challenges, dare to succeed.
