She is as brilliant as the first ray of sunshine penetrating out of clouds. In this process, she has experienced hesitation, fear and struggle. But thanks to her perseverance and practical attitude, she moves forward robustly and stably, who has finalized exceptional transformation.

Days ago, the journalist met Sun Jiaonan who has received offer from the Ohio State University, the top research university in USA known as a Public Ivy. “It is really a challenge to study in USA because of the pressure of many courses that might keep me busier than I am now (laugh)”, responded Ms. Sun when asked about her feeling for the offer.

Surefooted girl chose SUSTech

Sun Jiaonan, growing up in Shenzhen, has been a surefooted girl since her childhood. “I love the feeling of making gradual progress. In Grade 11, I heard about SUSTech and felt it is a reliable university. My teacher of physics encouraged me to apply for SUSTech”, said Sun Jiaonan to the journalist, adding that she felt busier than in high school because of the many courses. Besides, the conditions were more difficult in the beginning because SUSTech was then in the suburban area.

“For some time I felt quite perplexed. Later on I sent e-mail to my life tutor Prof. Lu Wei in the Department of Chemistry. I came to talk with him, who gave me a lot of encouragements. And this probably is one of the causes that I chose to major in chemistry (laugh)”. Thanks to her teachers’ considerate help and her own perceptions, Sun Jiaonan grows up fast in the wonderful academic atmosphere. The surefooted girl now has fact-based ideas.

“I had wanted to choose to major in chemistry or physics. And physics was my priority because I love physics and because the high-school teacher of physics gave me great influence. However, I felt I lacked some smartness in physics (laugh) because doing research not only needs practical behaviors but also inspiration and creativity. I feel more confidence in chemistry. So I decided to choose chemistry as my major”

Practical attitude and perseverance help seeds sprout

“Don’t make easy mistakes”, Busti, then teacher of chemical experiments, told her like this and she remembers his words till today. “Probably because he is German, Mr. Busti is very rigorous in making experiments and I felt I could learn many things from him. When we used ordinary measuring cylinder to measure liquid roughly, he would select more precise injector. And this is the conscientious attitude towards science. Really fabulous.”

Sun Jiaonan, who entered lab as a sophomore, was very curious about making experiments, had great expectations for different chemical experiments, showed curiosity for chemical instruments and had some fear for chemical agents as other girls do. She told the journalist that she didn’t dare to touch the bottles and glasses, afraid of being hurt by them. But quickly she would spend most of her time in the lab, which helped her accumulate experiment skills and ability. After that, she joined the research team headed by Prof. Jiang Wei about super-molecular chemistry to study the weak interaction force on non-covalent bond. In the research team, she grew up very well by cooperating with classmates and having academic exchanges with teachers.

“Her research involved composing compounds that are very difficult to separate, which needed great patience and separating technologies. When the experiments met with difficulties, she could still keep on. Besides, Sun Jiaonan is quite reliable and always finalizes assignments given to her. I believe these excellent attributes of hers will help her walk further in research or other career”, when asked about his impression on Sun Jiaonan, Prof. Jiang Wei would repeat her surefooted and never-giving-up quality.

“In Year 2 and 3, I didn’t spend much time in lab and would finish experiments by 10 o’clock. Then I would study for some time in the study lounge before going back to the dormitory at around 11. On the way back, it was really tranquil and I would often raise my head to see stars shining in the dark night, seeming to reward my full day and feeling quite calm. Sometimes, I would meet a professor and talk to him on the way. I would think I was not the sole one working so hard. Others are also working very hard, but out of our views. I hope I will not regret what I am doing now”. Sun Jiaonan shared with the journalist her personal experience in learning and read a short poem written by the former SUSTech President Zhu Qingshi for the students, “We should not only dream the beautiful future. We are the seeds for the future. And we need wisdom and diligence to make it sprout.”

Science girl has colorful life

In addition to practical study, Sun Jiaonan also has colorful spare time. Occasionally she would show some petty bourgeois tone.

“One day at about 9:30p.m., someone in the Cycling Club asked if anyone would like to cycle. Then 7 or 8 students said yes. We cycled to Shenzhen Bay and didn’t come back till 7 a.m. At that time, I didn’t feel tired at all and felt it real fun.” In addition to cycling, she often plays badminton and runs. “When we were studying in the old campus, I would run for about 7 or 8 circles on the playground each day”.

As a girl studying science, she has never ceased her passion and pursuit for literature and art. “Occasionally I would draw water-color paintings and use them as bookmarks. I love the novels of San Mao such as There Is Always Love Everywhere and Lost in the Dream. The journalist got to know that Sun Jiaonan gets up early and has regular life. She said sleeping regularly is very important because it provides energy for study and extracurricular activities.

General education brings more possibilities

Sun Jiaonan, though she has got the offer and is about to graduate, would not relax. Sun told the journalist she is preparing for graduation thesis while getting ready for overseas study. On campus, she read textbooks in English. So reading and writing in English is quite easy for her now. But speaking and reading needs time. She proposed that students should learn English early if they want to study overseas.

Besides, she also provided a tip for younger students. When preparing for offer, if they have a university in mind, they had better contact professors in the university, for example, by sending emails. If they can communicate with the professors, offer might be highly likely. And her success in getting the offer is attributed to the behavior.

When talking about general education in Year 1 in SUSTech, Sun Jiaonan responded, “At that time, linear algebra was taught by Prof. Zhang Xianke. I studied very hard and almost tore the textbook. But one term later, I found I completed the whole textbook and felt achieving something big. But it also provided foundation for the quantum chemistry and physics-chemistry, making trans-disciplinary studies easier.”

When asked about her future plan, she said she wanted to major in materials in the Ohio State University to take new challenges.

“I will definitely miss my time in SUSTech. After all, it was really special”. Sun Jiaonan feels her 4 years in SUSTech were full of happiness and joy while providing a wonderful platform for her growth.

Interview comments

In the short interview, the journalist got to know how Sun transforms from a freshman in SUSTech to a graduate who has received offer from the world-class university. In this process, she has experienced confusions and difficulties. But thanks to her surefooted performance, care and encouragement from her teachers, she has finalized the transformation. It is believed the success of graduates enrolled in 2012 will provide greater power of models for younger SUSTech students. It is also believed their future studies and researches in overseas countries will present more brilliant stories. And their bright future predict brighter future of SUSTech.