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Editor's Note: The results of the fifth SCNU English Writing and Short Video Contest have been announced on the website of the Office of International Exchange & Cooperation of SCNU (see results). We congratulate all prize winners on their outstanding performance. Winning entries will be published in this column.
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By Huang Gangyi
"That man is the richest whose pleasures are the cheapest", Henry David Thoreau said.
Zhang Xin, a student of the School of Chinese Language and Literature at SCNU, set foot onto this enchanting campus by the Pearl River in the fall of this year. "There is a variety of intriguing school clubs here," she exclaimed excitedly. "I like many things, but choosing is a difficult task." Given her passion for performance and debating during her high school years, she decided to join the drama club and the debate team of her school. "It would be an exhilarating start!" she thought.
After two interviews with the drama club, she successfully became a member. "It's my pleasure to join the club, and it's a testament to my acting talents!" she said with great joy. One of her roles was to be to act as a Japanese Commander in The Message. This turned out to be a big challenge to her." The moment I was assigned the role, I was shocked by the male character, especially a villain! But I thought it would be a challenge to myself and strengthen my acting skills."
There were many rehearsals, and she was very serious. She tried hard to cope and made it to a new level. Each night, she didn't finish rehearsals until 11 p.m. During the National Day holiday, they even arranged for online rehearsals." The director usually held high standards to genuinely improve them, making her become a better actress." Although she was worn out by the rehearsals, she could find some happiness like the praise she received and some jokes about her performance. While she practised with the crew, not only did she make numerous friends with share interests, but also broadened her horizon in play production and learned a wealth about dramatic performance.
Zhang Xin also took part in the debate team. Delighted but nervous, she started to prepare for her first debate competition." Unlike senior high school, the university provides me with a larger platform. At the same time, I will unavoidably encounter other excellent competitors, as the Chinese old saying puts it: 'There is always someone who is better than oneself', and I'm unsure if I could perform better than they," she concerned.
For Zhang Xin, debating brought her a succession of bittersweet moments. Oblivious about the debating skills of her opponents, she made efforts to ponder what viewpoint her opponents might present ahead of the debate, and searched for material to counter it. Every time she finished the task, she felt exhausted, as if her brain was taken out of her head.
However, it brought her both benefits and joy, which taught her how to make full use of the school library, the CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) and SCI (Science Citation Index) to look up related essays. "This process has been more meaningful than the debate itself," she says. "Not only do I master new techniques, but get acquainted with things I previously knew little about. The more information she gathered, the more confident she would be. With full preparation in her mind, she emerged as the best debater twice in the subsequent debates.
"What destiny can foresee is the eagerness of your soul," she philosophized," one's future depends on one's actions and pursuits. "She lives by these words, though in a regular, monotonous daily routine, or in hustle and bustle, trying to make herself a better person in every aspect. Her positive attitude towards her life affected her class. "She is really a kind person, who has a great sense of responsibility." one classmate said. "What an outgoing and versatile lovely girl she is!" another added.
Looking ahead to the next four years, Zhang Xin says that she will keep on acting and debating regardless of how busy she will be, and she hopes she may explore further the Chinese language and literature field. Her love for the performing arts and the thrill of intellectual debate not only enriches her university experience, but also shapes her into a well-rounded individual. "Chase the dream, fight for the dream, and make a more glittering and dazzling future!" she says ambitiously. She runs toward her bright future, keeping positive, seeking plain joy in her busy life!
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