"Changing Views" in China

[Randy W]

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Gaokao whiz evinces changing views

 

After learning his score for this year's gaokao, or college entrance exam, Huang wrote, "I have received praise from people all over the city, but I can't win your love," on June 26, suggesting he had been turned down by the girl he loves.

The confession divided netizens: Some offered understanding and support, while others voiced ridicule and criticism. What has interested people more, however, is the realization that gaokao champions are no longer deemed high in intelligence and good exam takers but lacking in emotion or more mundane interests.

 

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"If there is a secret to my success, I think it's my good attitude, for which I have to thank my parents because they seldom put pressure on me."

Huang said his school had encouraged students to develop hobbies and skills and organize student associations and activities. He took part in groups that focused on music as well as environmental protection, which he credits with helping him study.

For students a decade ago, it was another story.

Chen Lili, the liberal arts gaokao champion of Guigang, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, in 2006, remembers the hard time she had then, saying she was extremely hardworking, making full use of every minute to study. So were her classmates.

"At that time, we got up at six o' clock in the morning and studied till half past ten in the evening," Chen recalled. "Apart from some time for physical exercise, all of our time was spent on preparing for the gaokao during the third year of high school and we didn't have much time to develop our own hobbies."

 

Edited July 4, 2013 by Randy W (see edit history)