To sum it all up, the most important point is that our Yumin Elementary School swimming classes have officially started. I hope everyone will attend the training sessions on time, and I truly hope no one drops out halfway through. I hope you will all stick with it. Although the summer heat can be a bit intense, if you seize the opportunity, you can still learn a great deal and make remarkable progress. Don't miss out on such a wonderful learning opportunity—everything is completely free with zero fees involved. Everyone, please give it some serious thought!
***
### Habits
The requirements are as follows:
People always say that attitude determines everything, and others say that details determine everything, but I feel that determination itself is what decides everything. I first came across this perspective in a book during what was undoubtedly the most frustrated and gloomy period of my life. Left entirely to myself, I took up cross-stitch. This shocked quite a few people, who had always said I didn't look like the type to do needlework. Yet, right at that moment, I picked up cross-stitching simply because I felt depressed and had no outlet. Even though I worked shifts of over ten hours a day, I still felt a bit bored when I got off work. Aside from cross-stitching, I have no idea where I suddenly found the patience, but I really did complete quite a number of pieces. Eventually, however, I reached a point where I just couldn't go on; I stopped altogether, refusing to stitch another single square, declaring it far too troublesome. But when my mind was in turmoil earlier, why hadn't I found it troublesome at all? That was the very first time in my life I had ever tried cross-stitch, and yet I finished several works. It was merely an impulse born of distress and was never sustained. If I had truly loved cross-stitching, I suppose I might have become quite a skilled artisan by now.
Sundays, however, were even more baffling; I never knew quite what to do with myself. I don't know what came over me, but the angrier I felt, the more I wanted to read. Yet in an industrial zone like this, filled entirely with factory workers and migrant laborers, very few people read books, and even fewer sold them. To my surprise, I actually discovered a place that sold books, so I hurried right over. Once I got there, I realized that most of the available books leaned toward inspirational literature—to put it simply, they were just bowls of chicken soup for the soul. I don't know why people nowadays always dismiss them with that phrase. Whenever I mention these inspirational texts, everyone invariably chimes in with, "Oh, just some more chicken soup." I can only feel a sense of helpless amusement. Perhaps, in my eyes, I alone treasured such books as jewels. From those very books, I learned of numerous success stories, which encouraged me to emerge from the shadows. They were precisely what I needed. At the time, I had no idea what I ought to study, but accounts of successful, inspirational lives weren't bad at all. I also looked into some psychology books, but I truly didn't dare read them too deeply, because doing so invariably led me to map the traits onto the people around me. I would end up analyzing everyone I cared about most. As for other people? I had no interest in analyzing them whatsoever; they had nothing to do with me, and why should I care? Yet that was precisely the effect it had—I scrutinized the words and actions of the people in my life, though I ultimately failed to cultivate the psychological mastery I desired.
Back then, I returned to the dormitory very late every night, spending my time reading at roadside book stalls. I don't know what possessed me, but walking back alone in the dark past ten o'clock didn't frighten me in the least. I had to walk a very long distance, and I couldn't even explain why I wasn't afraid. It was quite bizarre, really—struggling on my own in an unfamiliar city, harboring even a faint trace of homesickness. Yet this positive trait of mine never changed: no matter where I was, I remained an avid reader. This habit was formed very early on, probably back in elementary school when my grades were far from stellar and it took all my family's efforts to tutor me every evening. My family loved to read, and I naturally absorbed that passion through constant exposure. It stayed with me for a very long time. Even though my academic results were never outstanding, I remained someone who genuinely loved reading. This love has endured all the way to the present day, bringing me boundless joy. Not only has it vastly expanded my knowledge and broadened my horizons, but while I cannot claim that books alone shape a person's entire destiny, I do know that life offers countless opportunities—and fortune favors the prepared mind. Reading is the only true path to reaching the state of being you desire. Is there any better method? In the process of reading, everyone's interpretations may differ. Even when reading the exact same book, diverse understandings are entirely normal. I still firmly believe that reading is the most cost-effective investment possible. For just a few dozen yuan, or perhaps a hundred for a slightly pricier edition, you can buy the lifetime work of a master—the distillation of their entire heart and soul. Why wouldn't you do it? Books contain everything; no matter what you wish to learn, it can be found in the pages. The real question is simply whether you enjoy reading. Driven by this realization, I gradually found myself progressing more than before, and that in itself is a cause for celebration. Only by walking forward step by step can one achieve substantial, long-term progress.
I came across a story just today: water dripping through stone. It is a well-known tale, but why is water able to pierce solid rock? It relies not on brute force, but on unyielding perseverance. In truth, I believe that no matter what you are passionate about—whether you love sports, reading, yoga, painting, or music—there is fundamentally no real difference among these pursuits. You may devote yourself to whatever you enjoy, and cultivating a new habit takes very little time—just twenty-one days. The key is persistence. How long you can persevere determines what kind of achievements you will attain. If you pour your heart into doing what you love and push it to the absolute limit of excellence, you will achieve success. Whether you attain fame or not is secondary, because heavenly factors are also at play. Half of a person's life relies on their own efforts, which we call capability, while the other half depends on luck, which we call destiny. We cannot defy destiny, but what we can control is our own capability—the result of accumulated time and effort. I hope everyone will persevere relentlessly, pressing forward with the spirit of water dripping through stone. I hope all those who yearn for success will see their wishes granted, achieve their life goals, and live happily and joyfully.
***
### A Letter to Xiao Wang
The requirements are as follows:
Dear Xiao Wang,
Hello! First of all, I wish you joy upon opening this letter. We have been good friends for many years, and now that we have reached the critical juncture of filling out college application choices, I would like to offer you some suggestions regarding your aspirations. The college entrance exam scores have already been released. I don't know how well you did, but it should be quite respectable. Based on your ability and score, there should be no problem at all for you to apply to the history department of the prestigious university you've always dreamed of. However, your parents' wish is for you to fulfill your aspirations and be admitted to your ideal institution. Naturally, you should also take your head teacher's advice into consideration. Your family is adamant that you attend your dream university; if you fail to get in or feel the school isn't ideal, they will feel deeply distressed—not only because of your disappointment, but because you missed your target. While the gaokao does not entirely determine your entire life, it certainly shapes many aspects of it. For instance, prospective employers will look at your undergraduate degree, and every resume you ever submit will bear that foundational imprint. This is precisely your family's perspective: they want you to reach the institution you truly desire. At the same time, your head teacher's advice is also worth considering. After all, he worries that if you ultimately fail to gain admission, having a safer fallback option is wise. Having taught senior high school year after year, he deeply understands the hardships involved, and he naturally hopes you will secure a spot in a fine university this very year. Yet you shouldn't harbor excessive worries; everyone involved has your best interests at heart, so you can safely take a calculated risk. In truth, every endeavor in this world requires a combination of ability and luck. If you don't even dare to apply, how will you ever know whether you could be accepted?
That being said, if you truly insist on aiming for your dream university and are rejected, you must be prepared to face the possibility of repeating a year to retake the exam. That is a certainty, so you need to think it through carefully. It isn't just about deciding what and how to apply—application forms list numerous schools and choices, and you must thoroughly examine admission trends from recent years. Past data can only serve as a reference; while such statistics largely determine whether your score is sufficient for a given university, unexpected situations can still arise. I believe you need to weigh things carefully: on one side are your parents, and on the other is your head teacher. Both parties have your best interests at heart, and their opinions are well worth consulting. Ultimately, however, a decision of this magnitude must be made by you alone. Do what your heart truly tells you to do. Furthermore, you might want to inquire whether any alumni from our school or previous years majored in the field you wish to study. How are they doing over there? Is it ideal? Are they able to learn what they hoped to master, and are they happy? What is the campus environment and study atmosphere like? All of these factors must be taken into account. Of course, since we haven't entered university yet, we don't fully understand these realities. Naturally, we can't visit every single school on our wishlist—we simply don't have the time or energy, not to mention the expense. There are at least ten choices on the application form; visiting them one by one only to end up rejected would be rather wasteful. Therefore, the most sensible approach is to ask senior alumni who were admitted in previous years. They will surely be enthusiastic about sharing the actual situation with you. When filling out your choices, I believe it is safer to adopt a conservative strategy. For instance, if your higher preference is a popular, highly competitive major, your next choice should be a less sought-after school and major. This guarantees a higher probability of acceptance and allows you to receive your admission notice as soon as possible. Once the notice arrives, whether you choose to go to university or stay behind for another year of high school remains entirely your choice. Still, I feel I should share some basic knowledge and techniques regarding applications so that you can make wise choices and enter your ideal institution sooner rather than later.
During the application period, most people feel terribly anxious, genuinely uncertain whether they will be accepted, yet waiting with bated breath. Once the gaokao concludes, we tend to think everything is settled, but this period of submitting preferences is actually the most agonizing time of all. Don't panic, and don't feel distressed—everyone is in the exact same boat. They share your anxiety because this is simply the nature of this stage. You must calmly analyze your own strengths and current situation to decide which preferences to submit. I truly hope you will approach this cautiously, taking your parents' and head teacher's opinions into account from multiple angles so that your considerations can be as comprehensive as possible. You must also decide firmly whether you genuinely intend to attend university this year or if you are prepared to retake the exam should things not work out. This is the crucial question; it will directly determine whether your application strategy is aggressive or conservative. There is no need to rush, as there is still plenty of time before the deadline. You have ample opportunity to think things through thoroughly. Moreover, if you have time, read more books dedicated to college applications. They can provide a general reference framework and boundaries, helping you at least understand the tier and standing of the schools you wish to target. As for your choice of major, it depends entirely on your personal preferences, as this will shape your future career path. If you like something, you like it; if you don't, you don't. I believe you should follow your own interests, as this will help you avoid detours. Do not let whether a major is trendy or obscure, or whether it promises easy employment, dictate your choices and judgment. The gaokao is merely a watershed for a specific stage of life; in the next phase, we will face further choices. For instance, when you graduate from university, will you choose to enter the workforce or pursue further studies? That is a separate question altogether. Whether a major is popular or obscure, as long as you choose one you genuinely love and successfully gain admission, it is something to rejoice over. When you graduate and step into the workplace, you will handle your work with ease and feel no psychological aversion, which is immensely beneficial to your personal growth. I hope you will give this your serious consideration. Thank you so much for listening to me ramble on for so long. Please forgive me if anything I said was inappropriate.
Your good friend,
Yang Xiaoyi
***
### Different Angles Yield Different Views
The requirements are as follows:
In 1990, a mother took her two daughters to a rose garden. One daughter told her mother, "This place is terrible; beneath every flower there is a thorn." The other daughter told her mother, "This place is wonderful; upon every thorn there is a flower." Write an argumentative essay based on this material.
The mother's two daughters viewed the matter from different angles and thus arrived at completely different conclusions. Such phenomena are quite common in real life. For example, if you look at an elephant from the front, from the side, or from the back, the resulting impressions are entirely different. Yet is it not still the same elephant? Why do such vast discrepancies arise? Neither person is lying; people are simply observing things from different perspectives, which is why mathematics includes units on observing physical objects. Similarly, when the mother brought her two daughters to see the roses, the sights they perceived differed entirely. One saw a bad place where every flower bore thorns, while the other saw a wonderful place where every thorn bore a flower. These represent two distinct mindsets. When the exact same event is viewed by an optimistic person versus a pessimistic person, the outcomes observed are entirely different.
There is an older story about two people traveling to take an exam. On the road, they encountered a group of people carrying a coffin to a burial. One remarked, "How utterly unlucky! To run into such a thing today—there's no way I'll pass the exam now." The other, however, exclaimed, "Meeting a coffin is wonderful! In Chinese, 'guan' (coffin) sounds like 'guan' (official rank) and 'cai' (wealth)—it means wealth and official rank!" In my view, it simply boils down to a difference in mindset, which leads to entirely different interpretations of the problem. This truly embodies a form of dialectics, carrying the exact same moral as the material mentioned earlier. Of course, I am not suggesting that official rank and wealth are inherently good; we must consider the full picture. If you hold public office, you should not strive to get rich, and if you want to make money, you should not hold public office. Because combining political power and wealth is like a ticking time bomb waiting to explode at any moment, one must approach everything with caution.
That being said, those two daughters undoubtedly possessed different mentalities: the first daughter leaned toward pessimism, while the second leaned toward optimism. In real life, many people view problems in this very manner. When faced with the exact same situation, different people form entirely different opinions. I vividly remember when I was in college, nearing graduation with nothing to do and feeling restless with idleness, I looked for a part-time job. I noticed a rather peculiar ad on our school's bulletin board posted by someone looking for a writer. I thought to myself that this was my specialty, but after carefully inquiring about his requirements, I understood what he was after. He explained that over the weekend, he had been observing people playing cards. Given the exact same hand of cards, different people held entirely different perspectives. For instance, the boss's viewpoint differed completely from those of the supervisors and managers, while the shift leader's perspective was different from all of them. These four individuals' viewpoints determined their respective levels. And indeed, in real life, your mindset determines the kind of person you are—there is no escaping that. As the saying goes, "Great minds think alike." This implies that if everyone were a boss, their perspectives wouldn't differ drastically; similarly, managers share a manager's understanding, and supervisors share a supervisor's outlook. This represents the cognitive differences among people of various social strata. Ultimately, under this guiding concept, I successfully helped him fulfill his wish by writing an article for him, which served as a small favor. I have no idea how well it turned out or whether it met his expectations, but I certainly poured my utmost effort into it. For instance, when we were in college, many students pulled long faces because they felt the university they attended was mediocre. This became painfully obvious during military training, at which point our counselor told us, "Do not be sad. Many inevitable factors led to your admission into this university, and only a tiny element of chance was involved." When he said that, I had no idea what his deeper point was, but it genuinely comforted quite a few people. You have to hand it to him—his way of comforting people was certainly unique. And just like that, they really stopped feeling so distressed. I knew my own level well enough, so I wasn't upset at all—or wait, no, perhaps I felt just a tiny trace of disappointment. But aren't we all the same? Whose life isn't filled with the exact same stories? The differences between human beings are truly minuscule after all.