I only succeeded in the college entrance examination four times, and only scored 40 points in the Chinese language exam... The academic journey of academicians is so difficult! Recently | unexpectedly| Direction | College Entrance Examination

What is the process of growing from a child to a scientist? The truth may surprise you!

Recently, Science Popularization China and Guangming Network jointly launched the online themed activity # My Memories of the College Entrance Examination # on Today's Headlines, inviting academicians and experts and scholars to share their stories about the college entrance examination.

Among them, some have experienced failure in the college entrance examination, some have only been admitted to their desired universities after taking the exam four times, and some have silently advanced on the tedious and long academic journey for decades... However, the genuine love and persistent courage are common. I hope their stories can bring you the strength to move forward.

It took me 23 years from taking the college entrance exam to graduating with a PhD

Sun Baoguo

Academician of CAE Member, spice and food flavor chemistry expert

My experience in the college entrance examination can be described as ups and downs.

I have participated in the college entrance examination four times in total, and prepared for the last time for nearly 10 months. The total score was 413.5 points, which is far higher than the key line of 360 points in Shandong. I was admitted to Beijing Institute of Light Industry. After receiving my transcript, I immediately put down my hoe and waited to go to college.

Not only that, I only took the postgraduate entrance exam two years after graduating from university; Seven years after graduating with a master's degree, I only pursued a doctoral degree. I have traveled a total of 23 years in my academic journey from college entrance examination to doctoral graduation.

Although everyone hopes to win the championship in one fell swoop, my spirit has not diminished in several exams. This bumpy journey of studying is a precious treasure in my life, which has cultivated my indomitable perseverance and made me more and more courageous on the path of scientific research.

In the college entrance examination, it is indeed difficult to ensure that everyone can consistently perform to their expected level. But I believe that where there is a will, there is a way. Even if you fail the college entrance examination, after entering university, you still have the opportunity to exert your subjective initiative and continue your studies at your ideal school, even the world's top universities.

In addition, candidates who have just completed the college entrance examination from high school to university often find it difficult to quickly adapt to the transformation of identity and environment. I suggest that everyone lay a solid foundation and master the most fundamental content in the discipline. Only by laying a solid foundation in the undergraduate stage can they flexibly apply and integrate the knowledge they have learned, and adapt to future work.

How to overcome my regrets with a score of 40 in the Chinese language exam for the college entrance examination

Chu Junhao

CAS Member

Researcher, Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

I took the college entrance examination in 1962. At that time, the maximum score for Chinese was 100 points, and I usually get 80-90 points. However, in the end, due to a mistake in reviewing questions, I only got 40 points. Nevertheless, with a perfect score in physics, I am still the top student in my class. When filling out my application, I chose physics as my major. Studying physics has been my pursuit since high school, and I have always hoped to become a physics worker when I grow up.

Generally speaking, a failure in the college entrance examination can leave many candidates with regrets, but I quickly figured it out. I think choosing a major is like listening to symphonies in a theater. If you don't fail the college entrance examination, it's like buying a front row ticket to the theater; If the college entrance examination leaves regrets, it is equivalent to sitting in the back row.

Since I aspire to physics, I hear the same music. No matter which university I attend, the knowledge I want to learn will never change. As long as you study hard, you can still fully enjoy the ocean of physics. So, I quickly regained my composure, regained my confidence, and devoted myself to the study of physics.

Filling out college entrance examination preferences may be considered as an important decision for the first time in life. I suggest that students clarify their areas of expertise, identify their interests, and then find the most suitable direction based on relevant needs.

How to cultivate a "female detective" who can decipher electromagnetic codes?

Su Donglin

CAE Member, Professor of Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics

My father taught mathematics in college, and under his influence, I have loved mathematics and physics since I was young. The repeated experiments have made me feel the wonders of the physical world, and the geometry in mathematics has given me rich imagination space. Therefore, when filling out my college application preferences, I firmly filled in all majors related to mathematics and physics, and was eventually admitted to the Department of Electronic Engineering and the Electromagnetic and Microwave Technology major at Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

As soon as I enrolled, I fell in love with this major. When I pursued my postgraduate studies, I also caught up with the country's vigorous development of the aerospace industry. At that time, the demand for electromagnetic compatibility in airplanes was the most urgent, and professional talents were urgently needed because it affected the overall safety of airplanes. I happen to be engaged in professional research in this field and have a natural advantage, so it is natural for me to enter this field.

I suggest that students who are about to fill out their applications must have a clear understanding of what they like and what kind of job they want to pursue in the future. Anyway, interest is the most important thing. Only by engaging in the work that one loves, can one be willing to invest energy and delve deeper into it.

At the same time, interests should be combined with the development trends of the industry and society, and one should choose challenging directions that can stimulate their creativity.

How do I grow into a "cultured new type of farmer"?

Zhang Qifa

CAS Member, Professor of Huazhong Agricultural University

When it comes to the reason for applying for the Biology major at Huazhong Agricultural University, I recall the essay topic from the junior high school entrance exam: "Be a cultured new type of farmer.". Before taking the college entrance examination, I had many different life experiences: working as a farmer, being a production team cadre, being a militia platoon leader, and being a water conservancy captain... These experiences of struggling in the fields led me to choose the biology major during the college entrance examination.

A person lives a lifetime, but when they come into the world, they always leave a mark. When I first entered university, I was not sure what kind of work I could pursue in the future by studying agriculture, but I persisted in my studies. Despite the difficult conditions, I still tried my best to make use of the limited learning resources around me to achieve more.

I want to send a message to students who are taking the college entrance examination: strengthen their "ambition" intelligence and motivate their "diligence" intelligence. A strong "aspiration" business is to pursue achievements, have a long-term vision, and constantly broaden one's understanding; Motivating diligent business requires hard work and hard work. To constantly set new goals and set higher standards and requirements for oneself.

I also want to remind my classmates that age is a valuable asset, and we should make future career plans as soon as possible. If we are ready to climb the scientific ladder and aspire to become scientists in the future, we should cherish our time and timely complete the goals of each stage of scientific research and learning.

How to find happiness in tedious basic research?

Feng Xiaoming

CAS Member, Professor of School of Chemistry, Sichuan University

Chemistry is relatively dull for most people, but I still find joy in it. At that time, the teacher who taught us chemistry vividly and interestingly explained it in simple and easy language, which aroused my interest in chemistry.

In addition, whenever research makes progress, especially when the results can be applied to life and make people's lives better, I feel sincerely proud and excited.

Many of my classmates around me aimed to take the postgraduate entrance exam when they first entered university. Influenced by them, I also started preparing for it during my undergraduate studies.

For future candidates who want to engage in basic research, I would like to share three suggestions:

The first point is to be interested and curious about exploring the unknown;

The second point is to have a goal;

The third point is to have a sense of responsibility. When people come into the world, they should make it a better place.

In order to become a person who watches the stars, I took the college entrance examination twice

Gou Lijun

Researcher, National Astronomical Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Looking back more than 20 years ago, my experience of applying for the Department of Astronomy at Nanjing University seemed to be a continuation of my childhood dream of starry sky.

The reason why I became a "star watcher" starts with a discontinued magazine called "UFO Exploration" that I read as a child. There, I saw the term "black hole" for the first time and was exposed to strange stories and rumors about aliens and extraterrestrial bodies, which aroused my curiosity about space.

Therefore, during the college entrance examination, I was very certain that I applied for astronomy. Unfortunately, I didn't pass the exam in my first year, and after repeating it for a year, I finally succeeded.

In the days that accompany astronomy, I have found many astronomical phenomena that seem familiar in daily life, such as the spacetime vortices around black holes resembling tornadoes, the jets of black holes resembling the gas ejected from high-pressure cooker nozzles

In the short term, astronomy itself has little impact on real life, but as a fundamental discipline, some of its discoveries or theoretical research will have a huge impact on the entire society at some point in the future. For example, the wireless network we are now accustomed to originated from Hawking's radiation theory.

I hope that when filling out their applications, candidates do not rely solely on employment as the sole criterion. Remember, dreams are worth pursuing.

I missed one year of high school and was admitted to the University of Science and Technology of China

Cai Yifu

Professor and doctoral supervisor at the University of Science and Technology of China

In 2001, at the age of 15, I applied for the Youth Class at the University of Science and Technology of China. At that time, I was just trying to save one year of high school and enter college as soon as possible. But in the end, it was discovered that university was the beginning of another difficult period of study.

For many people, the college entrance examination is the last answer sheet for high school. But for me, that was just a preliminary attempt. After that, I will continue to participate in interviews, competitions, and psychological tests. Fortunately, I passed these exams smoothly.

In high school, I was most interested in chemistry, but after entering university, extensive interdisciplinary studies confirmed my determination to delve deeper into the field of cosmology and explore how the first ray of light in the universe was born.

At that time, I didn't consider my future employment or career prospects, I just pursued my own preferences. Similarly, in the subsequent research process, I still upheld my original intention.

Speaking of which, only a few people choose their future research direction based on their interests and hobbies. Most candidates still tend to choose "popular" majors, but I still hope that those "minorities" will not be too interfered by society. After all, there is specialization in the craft industry, and all industries require talented individuals to emerge.