A vibrant energy returned to Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) on the first day of the new semester. Students could be seen throughout campus, with the new semester representing the next step in their academic journey. With the rapid development of SUSTech, the students are eager to learn more with passion and confidence, hoping to make a difference in their college life. Today, we interviewed some of the SUSTech students to see what their visions in the new semester are.

Li Daifeng, who won the men’s team’s self-selected Nanquan champion in the 2018 Guangdong University Student Wushu Routine Championship, set a goal of passing the TOEFL test in the spring semester. He said: “I have been working on it during the winter vacation, and hope to have a good result. Spring is the season of spreading hope. As well as cultivating my own studies and learning more in the new semester, I also hope to make a great contribution to SUSTech’s development. Yesterday, I went back to my alma mater and promoted SUSTech to the high school students. I anticipate that they could understand SUSTech better and join us.”

Shude College Dong Qinyang described the intense scenes on the first day of the JAVA class. The classroom was filled by students within 10 minutes after the last class, and even the aisles were quickly occupied. The teacher was also shocked by this scene. At the beginning of the New Year, I made a good start by successfully picking up the courses I like. Therefore, I expect to learn more and succeed in the new semester.

Zhiren College Zhang Zhentao is also full of expectations for the new semester. He said that he went back from the cold north to warm Shenzhen. Walking around SUSTech’s familiar campus, I feel very pleasant, cordial and relaxed. In the new semester, everything is brand new, and I hope that I can make new discoveries and new gains.

Dai Tianzhe, a junior student, has already begun to study hard in the winter vacation. He stayed in the laboratory for two weeks before the Spring Festival and lived a busy but rewarding life. He believes that scientific research is a process of exploring the unknown. Not every step can be accurately planned and things need to be adjusted according to the changing situation. He believes that behind the process is not freedom but self-discipline. Only through this can he obtain the results he expects. In the new semester, he hopes that he will not forget his original dream of joining a research group and continue to conduct research as a part of his life, moving forward toward his goal.

Zhicheng College Yang Liu is a little bit anxious but looking forward to the new semester. She said that she expects a lot and has a lot of choices. However she does not know where to start, but by believing in herself and facing the unknown, she will overcome the difficulties.

Hu Qikun happily talked about his plans after graduating this semester. He talked about his experience of applying for a Ph.D. in a foreign famous university under the guidance of Professor Xu Zongxiang, and said that he has been initially confirmed for further study at the University of Toronto. His most important plan for the new semester is to prepare for foreign exchange and future studies.

Wu Xinyue, who volunteers in the Student News Agency, said she was moved by the concerns of teachers and the senior students. She has also made many close friends in the Student News Agency. She hopes to pass on this love, so her new semester plans is to join the Student News Agency leaders to help the juniors explore their own ways.

The new semester means new opportunities, new challenges, and new hopes. SUSTech teachers and students will take the new semester as a new starting point, by continuing to explore modern university systems with Chinese characteristics and exploring innovative talent training models, in order to develop a bright future.