Other students admit suffering from agitation and depression. Ruan Miaoyu, a sophomore in Zhongshan University in Guangzhou, told reporters she had a really difficult time after the exams. At times, she felt confident and had high expectations of her performance, but at others she was plagued by worries that she may fail the exams. Her parents and relatives kept asking how she had done, and this upset her even more and led to many sleepless nights.

Another student, Ye Zhining, shut himself in at home and kept recalling how he had answered the questions. He didn't do too well on the exams and sank into disappointment. Now a student at a Hong Kong university, he is unhappy and often fears that he will be looked down upon by others.

"Before the exams, I was pushed by my parents and teachers," says Liu Sihua, a freshman in Liaoning University, Shenyang. "But when I finished the exams and released all the pressure, I felt empty and lonely and no one was there to help me."

Cui Yonghua, a psychologist at Beijing Anding Hospital, suggests that students should learn to deal with their negative emotions by talking with parents and friends. They can distract themselves from memories of the exams by doing something interesting and must not hesitate to seek help when applying to universities.

Liu Yingqiu, a high school teacher in Shenyang, has been in charge of the graduating class for years. "I think students can maintain the same day-and-night schedule as they did before the exams, for a while. They can make a holiday plan if they don't want the following three months to drift by," she says.

"They can develop some hobbies or new skills, improve their English and computer skills, learn a new sport and how to drive, or find a part-time jobs," she says.

Before the college term started, Liu Sihua worked as an assistant teacher in a private English teaching institute for a month. "I got up at 6 am and took a 30-minute bus ride. It felt like my high school days, except that I only worked half day. I felt my life was much more enriched. My mum stopped nagging me and I also made some money," she says, adding that students looking for part-time jobs should protect themselves from getting swindled.

Many students opt to travel with family and friends. But here, too, warn the police, students need to be safe. Last year, a girl fell off from a cheap, unlicensed motor cab while traveling in Zhejiang province after the exams. Doctors also say young people should protect themselves from heat strokes when they engage in outdoor activities.

Education experts suggest students prepare for campus life. Liu Yingqiu says some of her former students had difficulties adjusting to studies in college, after playing hard during the holidays.

"Students can visit the universities they are enrolled in and get a foretaste of the pace of life there. They can talk to current students and understand how to manage campus life without the supervision of parents and teachers," she says.

Most of the high school graduates are the first batch of the post-90s only-child generation. Their only job so far has been to enter university. They know little about housework and how to take care of themselves. "A student of mine, who graduated last year, always got high marks at school and is capable of communication and organization. After he went to college, he would bring home bundles of dirty clothes every two or three months," Liu says.

"This is a good time for parents to teach children to be independent. They can start with preparing meals and doing their own laundry."

Psychologist Cui Yonghua says parents should play a bigger supporting role during this period. They should spend more time with their children and listen to them. They need not linger on sensitive issues such as the exams and results, but encourage the youngsters to participate in social activities.

Source:China Daily

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