The primary difference between Chinese high schools and American universities is the degree of control you have over your time. In most Chinese high schools, the school dictates the daily schedule, including wake-up and dormitory curfew times. Therefore, in Chinese high school, your planning revolves around how you will study. However, this does not imply that college life is necessarily more liberating; indeed, it requires a higher degree of self-discipline. In Chinese high schools, if you fail to submit assignments or attend classes, teachers will seek you out in the dormitories, call you to class, and even supervise the completion of your assignments. In contrast, in college, whether you attend classes or complete assignments is your responsibility. No one will force you out of bed if you choose to skip class. College life is indeed more liberating, but it requires a strong sense of self-discipline.
Most Chinese high school students have likely heard their parents exclaim, “Study hard in high school, and life will be easier in college.” This sentiment suggests the high demands and intense pressure of Chinese high schools. I attended high school in a city in southern China, where as a senior student, we woke up at 6:20 in the morning and went to bed at 10:30 at night. We had a two-hour lunch and nap break during the day, and an hour in the afternoon for dinner and laundry. However, compared to high schools in northern China, this schedule is considered lenient; students in northern China may have to rise at 5:30 in the morning and retire at midnight. When I share this with people from other countries, they often find it hard to believe and deem it unacceptable. In China, students from low-income families must secure a place in a good university to land a good job. The only way to get into a top university is to take the national “gaokao” exam after the third year of high school. In 2023, nearly 12 million students sat for the “gaokao,” with only 30% gaining university admission. Consequently, the life of a Chinese high school student is fraught with challenges. I arrived at UWGB in the spring, and this is my second month here. Apart from the challenges presented by language and lifestyle differences, American university demands are indeed less stringent than those of Chinese high schools. However, I also understand that it ultimately comes down to self-discipline. If I want to learn more here, I can’t afford to take it easy.
