Classic English inspirational article: How should you spend your college life?
Dear daughter:
Dear daughter:
When we drive away from Colombia, I want to write you a letter and tell you all my thoughts.
When we drive out of Columbia University, I want to write you a letter and tell you the thoughts hovering in my mind.
First of all, I want to tell you how proud we are. Entering Columbia University proves what an excellent all-round student you are. In the past few years, your academic, artistic and social skills have been really developed. Whether you get the highest score in calculus, complete your elegant fashion design, successfully sell your painted running shoes, or become one of the top speakers of the Model United Nations, you have become a talented and accomplished young woman. You should be as proud of yourself as we are
First of all, I want to tell you that we are proud of you. Entering Columbia University proves that you are an excellent student with all-round development, and your academic, artistic and social skills are outstanding recently. Whether you get the highest score in calculus, complete elegant and fashionable design, successfully sell your own running shoes, or become one of the most outstanding people in the "Model United Nations" speech, you are undoubtedly a versatile girl. Your parents are proud of you, and you should be as proud of yourself as we are.
I will always remember the moment when I held you in my arms for the first time. I felt a tingling feeling, which touched my heart directly. This is an intoxicating feeling that I will always have. It must be this "father-daughter relationship" that binds us together for life. I will always remember the lullaby I sang to you when I put you to sleep. When I put you down, I always take two kinds of relief (she finally fell asleep! ) and regret (I hope I can hold you for a long time). I will always remember to take you to the playground and watch you have such a good time. You are so cute that everyone likes you.
I will always remember the moment when I held you in my arms for the first time. A fresh and exciting feeling touched my heart instantly. It's a feeling that makes me intoxicated forever, that is, the "father-daughter complex" that ties us together all our lives. I often think of me singing a lullaby and rocking you to sleep. When I put you down, I often feel relieved and sorry. On the one hand, I think she finally fell asleep! On the other hand, I wish I could hold you for a while. I still remember taking you to the playground and watching you have such a good time. You are so cute that everyone loves you.
Since you were born, you have been a good boy, always quiet, considerate, attentive and polite. You were three years old when we built the house. I remember you quietly following us every weekend, and getting building materials for more than ten hours every day. You put up with that boring period without making a fuss, eating hamburgers happily at every meal in the car and singing with Barney until you fell asleep. When you go to Sunday Chinese school, you study hard, even if it is not interesting to you. I can't believe how lucky we are as parents to have a daughter like you.
You are not only cute, but also a very clever child. You are never noisy, considerate, obedient and polite. When you were three years old, we were building a house. Every weekend, you quietly followed us for more than ten hours to transport building materials, ate three hamburgers in the car, sang nursery rhymes, slept when you were tired, and didn't complain at all. When you went to Chinese class last Sunday, you worked hard, although it was not interesting at all. We parents are lucky to have a daughter like you.
You are an excellent sister. Although you two have quarreled, you have become best friends in the past few years. Your sister loves you very much. She likes to make you laugh. She respects you and regards you as her role model. As you saw when we left, she missed you very much. I know you miss her too. There is nothing like family. Besides your parents, your sister is the only person you can trust and talk to. She will be the one who takes care of you and the one you must take care of. Our greatest wish is that your sisterhood will continue with your age, and you will take care of each other throughout your life. In the next four years, be sure to video chat with her every few days and send her an email if you have the chance.
You are also a good sister. Although you sisters used to fight a lot, you really became good friends when you grew up. My sister loves you very much and likes to make you laugh. She regards you as her role model. After we drove away from Columbia University, she missed you very much, and I know you miss her too. The most precious thing in the world is family. Like parents, your sister is the person you can trust most. As you get older, the friendship between your sisters remains the same. You take care of each other and care about each other. This is what I want to see most. After four years of college, you must often video chat with your sister and write emails when you are free.
College will be the most important years in your life. Only in college can you really find out what learning is all about. You often question "what's the use of this course". I encourage you to be curious, but I also want to tell you: "education is what you have left after everything you have learned is forgotten." I mean, the materials taught are not as important as your ability to learn a new subject and analyze a new problem. This is the real meaning of university study-it will be the stage from teacher to master, and then you must become a self-learner. Therefore, we must take every subject seriously, even if what you learn is not crucial to your life, the skills you learn will be something you will always cherish.
College will be the most important time in your life, and you will find the true meaning of learning in college. You used to ask "What's the use of this course", which is a good question, but I hope you understand: "The real meaning of education is what remains after you forget everything you have learned." I mean, the most important thing is not your specific knowledge, but your ability to learn new things and solve new problems. This is the real meaning of college study-this will be the stage when you change from passive learning to autonomous learning, and then you will become a good self-learner. Therefore, even if what you learn is not what you need urgently in your life, you should take every lesson in college seriously. Even if you forget the skills you have learned, the ability to learn will benefit you for life.
Don't fall into the trap of dogma. There is no simple answer to any question. Remember in your high school debate class, I always let you stand on the side you don't believe? I do this for a reason-things are rarely "black and white", and there are always many ways to look at a problem. If you realize this, you will become a better problem solver. This is the so-called "critical thinking", which is the most important thinking skill you need all your life. This also means that you need to be tolerant and supportive of others. I will always remember the time when I went to my doctoral supervisor and proposed a new thesis topic. He said, "I don't agree with you, but I will support you." A few years later, I understand that this is not only flexibility, but also an encouragement to critical thinking and an authorized leadership style, which has become a part of me. I hope it can become a part of you.
Don't be bound by dogma, there is no single simple answer to any question. Remember when I helped you with your debate class in high school, I always asked you to argue on the side you didn't agree with? The reason why I do this is that I hope you can understand that there are many ways and angles to look at a problem, not black or white. When you realize this, you will become an excellent problem solver. This is "critical thinking"-the most important way of thinking you need all your life, which also means that you need to tolerate and support other views that are different from you. I will always remember that I went to my doctoral supervisor and put forward a new topic. He said to me, "I don't agree with you, but I support you." After many years, I realized that this is not only tolerance, but also a critical thinking and convincing leadership style. Now it has become a part of me. I hope this can be a part of you, too.
Follow your passion in college. Take a course that you think you will like. Don't be trapped in other people's ideas or statements. Steve Jobs said that when you are in college, your passion will create many points, and you will connect them in your later life. In his wonderful speech at the graduation ceremony of Stanford University, he gave a good example of his learning calligraphy. Ten years later, calligraphy became the basis of beautiful Macintosh fonts, which later ignited desktop publishing and brought wonderful tools like Microsoft Word to our lives. His exploration of calligraphy is a point, and Macintosh has become a connecting line. So don't worry too much about what job you will have, and don't be too utilitarian. If you like Japan or Korea, go for it, even if your father thinks "it's useless":) Enjoy choosing your points and be sure that one day you will find your mission and connect a beautiful curve through points.
In college, you should follow your passion and interest and choose the courses you are interested in, regardless of what others say and think. Steve Jobs once said that your passion will create many points in college, and you will connect these points in your later life. In his famous Stanford graduation speech, he gave a good example: he studied seemingly useless calligraphy in college. Ten years later, it became the basis of beautiful fonts in Apple Macintosh, and because Macintosh has such good fonts, it brought desktop publishing and today's Office software (such as Microsoft Office). His exploration of calligraphy is a point, and Apple Macintosh connects many points into a line. So don't worry too much about what you will do in the future, and don't be too eager for quick success. If you like Japanese or Korean, learn it, even if your father once thought it useless:) Choose your point heartily, have faith, and one day the opportunity will come, and you will find your mission in life and draw a beautiful curve.
Do your best in class, but don't let the pressure get to you. Your mother and I have no expectations for your grades. If you graduate and learn something in your four years, we will be happy. Your Columbia degree will take you further, even if you can't graduate with honors. So please don't put pressure on yourself. In the last few months of high school, you were very happy, because there was little pressure and the college application was over. But in the past few weeks, we have seen you start to worry (do you know that you bite your nails when you are nervous? Please don't worry. The only important thing is that you have learned. The only measure you should use is that you have worked hard. Scores are just stupid symbols, which give vain people something to boast about and lazy people something to fear. You're too good. You're neither.
Do your best in your homework, but don't put too much pressure on yourself. Your mother and I have no requirements for your grades. As long as you can graduate smoothly and learn something in these four years, we will be very happy. Even if you don't get excellent grades when you graduate, your Columbia degree will take you a long way. So don't put pressure on yourself. In the last few months of your high school life, your college application ended because of less pressure. You had a good time, but in recent weeks, you seem nervous. Have you ever noticed that you bite your nails when you are nervous? Don't worry, the most important thing is that you are studying. The only measure you need is your efforts. Achievements are just boring figures boasted by vain people and feared by lazy people. You are neither vain nor lazy.
Most importantly, make friends and be happy. College friends are often the best in life, because you are physically closer to them than your family during college. In addition, experiencing independence and adulthood is a natural combined experience. Choose a few friends and become very close to them-choose those who are sincere to you. Don't worry about their hobbies, grades, looks and even personalities. In the past two years, you have established some real friendships in high school, so trust your intuition and make new friends. You are a sincere person-anyone wants to be your friend, so be confident, outgoing and proactive. If you think you like someone, tell her. You have nothing to lose. Assume that people are innocent; Don't stereotype, be tolerant. No one is perfect, as long as you are sincere, trust them and be kind to them. They will repay you. This is the secret of my success-I treat people sincerely and trust them (unless they do something that loses my trust). Some people tell me that occasionally I will be used. They are right, but I can tell you that the loss is nothing compared with what I got. In my last 18 years of leading people, I realized that only one thing is important-to gain the trust and respect of others, and to do this, you need to trust and respect others first. Whether it's for management, work or friendship, this is something you should think deeply about.
The most important thing is that you should make some friends and live happily in college. Friends in college are often the best friends in life, because you can get close to your friends in college. In addition, if you grow up together and become independent together, naturally you will be closely tied together and become close friends. You should choose some sincere friends and get close to them, regardless of their hobbies, achievements, appearance and even personality. You made some real friends in the last two years of high school, so you can trust your intuition and make some new friends. You are a sincere person, and anyone will like to be your friend, so be confident, outgoing and proactive. If you like someone, tell her that even if she refuses, you have nothing to lose. Treat people with the greatest kindness, without prejudice and tolerance. No one is perfect, as long as you are sincere, trust them and be friendly to them. They will give you the same return, which is the secret of my success-I am honest with others and trust them (unless they do something that goes against my promise). Some people tell me that sometimes I will be taken advantage of, and they are right, but I can tell you that being honest with others makes me gain far more than I lose. In my 18 years of management, I learned a very important thing-to gain the trust and respect of others, only trust and respect others first. Whether it is management, work or making friends, this is worth your reference.
Be sure to keep in touch with your high school friends, but don't use them instead of college friendship, and don't spend too much time with them, because it will take up your time to make new friends.
Keep in touch with high school friends, but don't use them instead of college friendship, and don't spend all your time with old friends, because then you will lose the opportunity to make new friends.
Start planning your summer vacation early-what do you want to do? Where do you want to live? What do you want to learn? What did you learn in college that might change your mind? I think your plan to study fashion is good. You should decide where you want to go and enter the right course. We certainly hope that you will return to Beijing, but you should go where you think is most suitable for you.
You have to start planning your summer vacation early-what do you want to do? Where do you want to live? What do you want to learn? Will your study in the university make you have new plans? I think your plan to study art design is very good. You should find out where you should go to study the corresponding courses. We certainly hope that you will return to Beijing, but the final decision is up to you.
Whether it's a summer plan, a course plan, choosing a major, or managing your time, you should control your life. In the past, I helped you a lot, whether it was applying at the university, designing your extracurricular activities, or choosing the initial courses. I will always be by your side, but it's time for you to take control-this is your life, and you need to take control. I will always remember the exciting feeling in my life-I decided to skip kindergarten, I decided to major in computer science, I decided to leave academia and go to Apple, I decided to go to China, I decided to go to Google, and recently, I decided to start my own business. Being able to decide means that you can live the life you want. Life is too short to live the life others want. It feels great to be in control. Try it, you will love it!
No matter summer vacation planning, homework planning, major selection and time management, you should be responsible for your own life. I've helped you a lot before, whether it's applying for a school, designing extracurricular activities, or choosing the initial courses. In the future, I will still stand by you, but it's time for you to take the helm. I often remember those exciting moments in my life-I decided to skip a grade in kindergarten, decided to major in computer science, decided to leave academia and choose Apple, decided to return to China, decided to choose Google, and even recently chose to start my new company. Being able to make a choice means that you will live the life you want. Life is too short to live the life others want you to live. It is a great feeling to be in control of your life. Try it, you will love it!
I told your mother that I was writing this letter and asked her what she wanted me to say. She thought for a moment and said, "Just tell her to take care of herself." Simple but caring-that's who your mother is and why you love her so much. In this simple sentence, she wants you to become independent in the way of taking care of yourself-you will remember to take medicine, you will get enough sleep, you will have a balanced diet, you will do some exercise, and when you feel uncomfortable, you will see a doctor. An old China proverb says that the most important thing for parents is to take care of themselves. This is because your parents love you so much. If you live well, they will be comforted. One day when you become a mother, you will understand this. But at the same time, please listen to your mother and take care of yourself.
I told your mother that I was writing this letter and asked her what she wanted to say to you. She thought about it and said, "Let her take good care of herself", which is simple but full of heartfelt concern-this has always been the characteristic of your beloved mother. In this short sentence, she wants to remind you of many things, such as remembering to take medicine on time, have a good sleep, keep a healthy diet, exercise moderately, and see a doctor when you are uncomfortable. There is an old saying in China, which says, "The body is skinned, parents dare not damage it, and filial piety begins." . The meaning of this sentence is interpreted in a relatively new way: parents love you the most, so taking care of yourself is the best filial piety. You will understand this when you become a mother. Until that day, listen to your mother and take good care of yourself.
College is the four years you have;
Maximum free time
College is the four years when you have the most free time.
The first chance to be independent
College is the four years when you first learned to be independent.
The most flexible change
University is the most malleable four years.
The risk of making mistakes is the lowest
College is the four years with the lowest cost of making mistakes.
So, please cherish your college time-make full use of your free time, become an independent thinker who controls your own destiny, develop yourself into a cross-cultural talent, make bold attempts, learn and grow in success and challenges.
Therefore, cherish your college time, make good use of your free time, become an independent thinker who controls your own destiny, develop your diversified talents, boldly try, learn and grow in the constant success and challenges, and become a talent who blends Chinese and Western.
In 2005, when I faced the biggest challenge and opportunity in my life, you gave me a big hug and said "bonne chance", which means "good luck" and "good courage". Now I do the same thing for you. My angel and princess. May Columbia University be the happiest four years in your life, and may you be the person of your dreams.
In 2005, when I faced the biggest challenge in my life, you gave me a big hug and said "Good luck" to me in French. This sentence stands for "I wish you courage and good luck!" Now, I want to say the same thing to you, bonne chance, my angel and princess. I hope Colombia is the happiest four years in your life, and I hope you can become the person you dream of becoming!
Love,
Love,
Dad (&Mom)
Dad (and mom)