As part of my teaching of the second year “sophomore” students, over the course of the semester I get each student to present a 3 minute speech on a topic of their choice. I will be publishing a variety of them on my blog to illustrate the similarities and differences of Western and Chinese culture. Here is the first of the series and please bare in mind that this is a draft version that I’ve been asked to correct, so perhaps not entirely representative of perfect English.

Dream is always a topic for most of the people in the world. And when I was a senior school student, I was also a dreamer. I drew pieces of blueprints. In order to make my dreams come true, I studied much harder than the other students except only one subject – history. Because I didn’t like the teacher at all, and it turned out to be the most stupid thing I have done.

Finally, the college entrance examation came, and I did it very carefully. After several days, the school report card came out. Every subject I got a high mark except the history, after I phoned the interrogation office, my history’s score was confirmed, it was only 39.

I thought I won’t go to the Northeastern Finace And Economics University I dreamt of. The next day I went to school to take my score paper. The headmaser told me that I was the first of the college entrance examination of my high school, but he wasn’t satisfied with me. I was so disappointed about myself. But I made up my mind to study well in college, no matter who it is. And I came here at last.

But after I went into my college, my class, I was so surprised that my classmates are much more excellent than me. I even couldn’t follow their steps. I lost self-confidence, and speak less and less in classes. Gradually, I was tired of study, I was always sleeping in class, no matter it was important or not. The situation got worse and worse. And I failed in my Basic Japanese Course last semester.

In this summer holidays, I thought over my life very carefully, I don’t want to go downhill, and ruin my future by myself. And I don’t want to make those people who love me and care for me disappointed. So I want to start something new of my life, I want my college life be more meaningful. So I study hard this semester. I am the kind of people who is hold myself aloof from the world. The only opponent in the world for me is myself. Because everyone has a different life with the others. And no matter what is the road you choose, so long as it’s right, you can be the winner of your life and you don’t loaf away your time.

So if there is someone below who is hesitating what to do in the future, how to do it. Just calm down to think it carefully and try to change yourself. Do it no wandering.

Believe me, you’ll make something different.

Thank You Everybody!