Emotional Rollercoaster: Reflections on the End of the National Postgraduate Entrance Examination in China
As the final seconds ticked away on the clock, signaling the end of the 2024 National Postgraduate Entrance Examination, a hush fell over the examination hall. The air was thick with a mixture of relief and trepidation, as thousands of test-takers across China collectively exhaled, their minds racing with a mix of emotions.
24 December 2023
For many, the moment was a stark contrast to their experience just a few years earlier, when, as high school graduates, they had triumphantly stormed out of the gates after the grueling gaokao, the country's college entrance exam. Back then, the future was a boundless expanse of possibility; now, in their mid-twenties, the choices were more complex, the stakes higher, and the weight of expectations heavier.
"It's like two different worlds," mused one Weibo user, reflecting on the stark contrast between the carefree optimism of youth and the somber reality of adult responsibilities. "The joy of finishing the gaokao was replaced by a heavy heart as I walked out of the考研考场."
The tweets, which flooded social media platforms like Weibo in the aftermath of the exam, painted a vivid picture of the emotional rollercoaster that is the Chinese academic journey. While some expressed a sense of rebirth and renewal, others lamented the loss of innocence and the harsh realities of growing up.
"I feel like I've been through a war," wrote one exhausted test-taker, their right hand swollen from hours of writing. "The happiness of finishing the gaokao has been replaced by a numbness that comes with the end of a long, hard struggle."
The images accompanying the tweets further underscored the poignancy of the moment. One photograph showed a sparsely furnished room, with a large TV screen mounted on the wall, now turned off, and a smaller television set beside it. A lone figure could be seen at a dining table, seemingly lost in thought, surrounded by books and the remnants of a life dedicated to study.
The blackboard in the background bore witness to the countless hours of preparation, its scribbles a silent testament to the toil and dedication of the past year. A sports ball resting nearby was a rare touch of levity in an otherwise austere scene.
The discussion among Weibo users was as varied as the emotions on display. Some shared stories of camaraderie and support, while others debated the merits of the exam system itself. Many expressed solidarity with their peers, offering words of encouragement and advice for the road ahead.
"To all those who have finished the exam, you have my utmost respect," wrote one user. "The journey may have been tough, but the strength you've gained will carry you far."
As the dust settles on another academic milestone, the stories shared on social media serve as a powerful reminder of the collective experience that binds China's students, past and present. The transition from high school to postgraduate studies is not just a change in educational status but a rite of passage that shapes the nation's youth in profound ways.
For those who have just completed the 2024考研， the road ahead may be uncertain, but the shared experience has forged a bond that transcends the test itself. As they step into the next chapter of their lives, they do so with the knowledge that they are not alone in their struggles, and that the strength found in community will carry them forward.