Home Page Diaries**Hobbies Learning Notes**Academics Leave Your Cmts.**More Info.April 3, 2024
Today, a surge of thoughts erupted from my mind, compelling me to write. I believe that penning down my thoughts can help untangle the chaos within and clarify my convictions. This year has been a journey fraught with challenges. The third year of undergraduate studies is pivotal, as students must navigate the crossroads of choosing their career paths. For me, I resolved to pursue further studies, nurturing the aspiration to dedicate my life to research.
This year has been a test of resilience. I faced two divergent paths. The first path involved competing in the rigorous graduate entrance examinations, vying against students from various universities for admission to esteemed institutions. The second path, through recommendation, presented a dilemma. I could only commit to one path, unable to divide my energy between them. However, in the second road, there was the added complexity of the allocation of slots based on GPA ranking, further complicating the decision-making process.
Why was this a dilemma for me? My academic ranking hovered near the threshold for recommendation eligibility. Realizing this, I relinquished hopes of being recommended, adopting a pragmatic mindset to prepare for the exams. I had set my sights on prestigious institutions like Peking University and Tsinghua University, directing my efforts towards the entrance examinations from February to September.
Time flew by swiftly, accompanied by camaraderie with fellow students in similar predicaments. We bolstered each other's spirits during the arduous preparation phase. As September drew to a close, an unexpected announcement from my college revealed my eligibility for recommendation. Some of my friends narrowly missed the selection criteria, a circumstance that spurred them to redouble their efforts in exam preparation.
Why did I ultimately opt for the second path? Months prior, I grappled with this decision. As I pen these words, I endeavor to crystallize the reasons behind my steadfast commitment. Having chosen the path of recommendation, I harbor no regrets for past decisions. I embrace the present, grounded in self-awareness and resolute in my convictions. Recognition emanates from within, unaffected by external judgments based on background or accomplishments. True happiness lies not in fleeting fame or vanity, but in inner contentment. Life's essence lies in simplicity—marriage, work, aging—a journey punctuated by fleeting moments of serendipity. Embrace authenticity, pursue aspirations without reservation, and eschew regrets. Contentment is happiness, and simplicity is the essence of life. Embrace each moment with gratitude, for life's journey is as beautiful as it is unpredictable.