Likes
Editor's Note: The fourth SCNU English Writing and Short Video Contest, themed "SCNU & Me", ended with 312 entries from 39 different schools and institutes. We congratulate all prize winners on their outstanding performance. Awarded winners have been announced (see results), and all winning entries will be published in this column.
-------
By Lin Han
Four years ago, as I set foot in SCNU during the golden September of 2019, the gears of my fate quietly began to spin. I never envisioned I would spend the subsequent seven years of my college life here. Fueled by curiosity and enthusiasm, I embarked on a journey to explore every nook and cranny of SCNU, participated in various campus activities, and consistently propelled myself toward a positive and fulfilling life. In my first year, my SCNU story "Nice to meet you - SCNU" was published on the SCNU English website, marking a milestone in my college life, capturing my inaugural endeavor and first accolade in competitions. Over the course of four years, my identity transformed: from an undergraduate to a postgraduate student. Upon encountering this writing contest with a similar theme of "SCNU and Me" four years ago, I resolved to continue my SCNU story. This story encapsulates numerous splendid moments from my undergraduate and postgraduate experiences, characterized by "Serendipity, Celebration, Novelty, and Unity."
Serendipity
Life at SCNU is replete with serendipitous moments, encompassing unexpected encounters with new friends, experiences, and opportunities. Over the past four years, I have become acquainted with 10 roommates due to the dormitory adjustment policy and further education, all of whom have become significant companions during various stages of my life. Some have grown into my closest friends, sharing a similar daily routine and accompanying me through life's journey. Others have stood by me during the darkest moments of my preparation for the Postgraduate Entrance Examinations, each of us striving for our individual goals while also inspiring one another. Except from making friends, SCNU has also provided a platform for me to engage in various activities, such as volunteering, competitions, scientific research, and practice teaching during internships. Each opportunity has been invaluable for personal growth and has allowed me to forge meaningful connections with others. I cherish every instance of serendipity, relishing the unexpected encounters with diverse individuals and the unanticipated experiences shared with them.
Group photo of me and my roomates.
Celebration
During my four years at SCNU, I have participated in a myriad of celebrations with those around me. These occasions could be as modest as a holiday or as momentous as a life event, even a day marking a milestone for SCNU. We routinely celebrated the arrival of the weekend by indulging in desserts together or going for an unscheduled citywalk. As roommates, we silently remembered each other's birthdays, sending heartfelt messages at odd hours to convey our well-wishes. We organized potluck dinners with our group members to commemorate victories in team competitions. We elaborately dressed up and collected photos with classmates and teachers to honor our impending graduation. Standing on stage at the commencement ceremony, I experienced our elegant dean shifting my tassel, which symbolized my achievement in attaining a Bachelor of Arts after four years of dedicated study. We congregated in the auditorium for the opening ceremony, celebrating our admission as postgraduate students of SCNU. Not only that, just this past weekend, we engaged in a series of cultural events to commemorate the 90th anniversary of SCNU. These are the moments that are worth celebrating in my SCNU story, and whenever I reflect upon them, I am filled with immense joy.
Photo of me and the dean of the School of Foreign Studies in the Commencement Ceremony.
Novelty
As I embark on my fifth year at SCNU, I find myself entering a new phase of my college journey, where everything is familiar yet refreshingly different. The transition from undergraduate to postgraduate studies has introduced me to a plethora of new experiences, both academically and personally, both in my personal experience and in the school environment. While my undergraduate years focused on solidifying my professional knowledge and honing teaching skills, my postgraduate life is full of research-based tasks such as delving into journal papers, delivering academic presentations, and creating scholarly posters. During my undergraduate year, I served as the vice minister of the college's Red Cross Society, carrying out activities related to health and medical care. However, upon commencing my graduate studies, I sought a new role and joined the Publicity Department of the Postgraduate Students' Association. This shift entailed crafting articles for the college's WeChat Official Account, designing promotional posters, and undertaking various publicity work. Notably, the once unadorned dormitory buildings in the West district have undergone extensive refurbishment, eagerly awaiting their new occupants. Furthermore, in anticipation of the university's 90th anniversary, the campus roads have been repaved, the buildings revitalized, and the canteen adorned with new windows, while a myriad of celebratory arts and cultural events have infused our lives with even more vibrancy. Having been a part of SCNU for over four years, I have borne witness to the continual enhancement of the campus environment and living conditions, imbuing my life at SCNU with a renewed sense of novelty.
Photo of me and my roomates in SCNU's 90th anniversary day.
Unity
In high school, I often felt like a solitary figure striving for personal growth, but my experience at SCNU has been defined by close connections to numerous groups. Unity, the most essential value I have gleaned from my four years in communal living, has been a guiding principle in my journey. Transitioning from undergraduate to postgraduate life, I have formed various groups for different purposes—whether it be for cohabitation or collaborative tasks. My roommates and I constitute a close-knit unit, attending classes and enjoying leisure activities together. Despite our differing lifestyles, we consistently respect each other's living habits, negotiate mutually acceptable agreements, and embrace individual diversity. Similarly, my classmates and I form a cohesive group, participating in annual sports events and vying for our class's honor. Additionally, I have been part of more than 20 academic groups over the course of four years, collaborating on coursework, delivering group presentations, and cooperating in team competitions. These groups have become integral to my college memories, with unity serving as a golden principle in my college experience.
Graduation photo of my class.
In sum, my life at SCNU has been marked by serendipity, celebration, a sense of novelty, and a spirit of unity. These cherished moments are intrinsically linked to the diverse individuals around me, the changes in SCNU over the past four years, and my deepening affection for SCNU. My fifth year at SCNU coincided with her 90th anniversary, adding a vibrant splash of color to my SCNU story. Anyway, my story at SCNU encompasses much more, and I look forward to spending the remaining two years continuing to write it.
What to read next:
