Prologue
It feels as though four years have passed in the blink of an eye. I once wrote an article 1 to share my academic life in college. Of course, university life wasn’t just about academics; it also included the unforgettable daily experiences.
Trying to recall the entirety of my university life is always complicated. It’s hard to remember every single event; even significant moments often result in fragmented, scattered recollections. Perhaps only sitting with close friends, recalling things together, can truly bring joy. So here, I’ll just speak freely, saying whatever comes to mind.
Part One
In the twinkling of an eye, four years of university life are coming to a close, and I am about to leave the little island where I’ve lived for four years. To be honest, I feel a bit melancholy.
I remember before coming to Hainan, I was always anxious about its climate. I’ve always been someone who fears heat, perhaps because I had enough of stifling classrooms during high school. Back then, in a high school classroom of merely a few dozen square meters, over fifty of us sat tightly packed together. Sometimes, even in summer, the air conditioning wouldn’t be turned on, especially as the college entrance exam approached, with the excuse of “fearing students might catch a cold.” Whenever this happened, especially during evening self-study, stepping out of the classroom to breathe fresh air and feel the cooler outdoor temperature always felt incredibly refreshing. That’s why I always thought of myself as someone who “fears heat.”
But when I truly arrived here, aside from the scorching sun during military training, I found that I actually prefer this climate. You might not imagine it, but in this province at the southernmost tip of the motherland, in a tropical region, sometimes, even on sunny days, the temperature in Hainan is significantly lower than on the mainland. And after rain—usually in Hainan, it rains around noon or afternoon—the temperature truly feels comfortable. Moreover, if you follow the locals’ daily rhythm—morning tea in the morning, a long nap at noon, afternoon tea in the late afternoon, and a late-night snack in the evening—Hainan is truly a very livable place.
Of course, it cannot be denied that Hainan is indeed very “sunny,” but with proper sun protection, it’s actually quite manageable. Even guys need to carry umbrellas; otherwise, after just a few minutes of exposure, the neck can feel a burning, painful heat.
Another point that must be mentioned is Hainan’s sky; I truly love it. The clouds in Hainan are incredibly low. In some small mountainous areas, like Wuzhishan, you can see a sea of clouds, and you’re actually above the cloud layer. Keep in mind that the main peak of Wuzhishan is only 1,867 meters above sea level. There are also the colorful auspicious clouds at dusk, some like flames, or double rainbows after a storm…
Thinking about it, retiring in Hainan in the future might actually be a pretty good idea (XD).
Part Two
This is about graduation.
Unlike the hurried graduations of high school and middle school—where everyone took a “life-defining exam” and then went their separate ways; I didn’t even feel much when someone else picked up my documents upon returning to campus—graduation from university was a process to be enjoyed.
Starting from the second semester of junior year, the course load began to decrease. By the first semester of senior year, everyone was busy with their own pursuits: internships, postgraduate entrance exams, or recommended admissions. By the second semester of senior year, apart from the final thesis, everyone was striving for their respective futures. When the thesis was completed and the final file bag submitted, university life was nearing its end. Stepping out of the school gate for the last time marked the true graduation.
One interesting aspect of enjoying graduation is that everything you do now is done one less time; in other words, every instance is a specific “last time.” The last time visiting a certain cafeteria or a specific food stall, the last time walking down this path on campus, the last time crossing the century-old bridge, the last time… the last time eating and chatting with friends from different groups, observing how everyone has changed over the four years.
Part Three
This is about Hainan University.
In previous articles, I’ve mentioned how my perception of Hainan University has changed. I believe the reason is that our cohort was fortunate to arrive at a pivotal time; the university’s tremendous changes and development were unfolding right before our eyes.
Air conditioning in Hainan University dorms actually started with our cohort; we must thank the efforts of the seniors and teachers before us. It is said that before air conditioning was installed, seniors and juniors had to take multiple showers a day, and at night, some even slept in the Siyuan Lecture Hall. Fortunately, I never had to experience that (x).
Additionally, the arrival of President Luo Qingming, with his title of Academician and the resources he brings, has brought about significant improvements to Hainan University. Taking our school as an example, another Academician and many professors have joined us, significantly strengthening our faculty, especially in the School of Biomedical Engineering. Moreover, it seems the administrative efficiency of Hainan University has also become extremely high.
Hainan University’s ranking is rising rapidly. Undoubtedly, the university is developing in a positive direction. Welcome to apply!! (The value of my diploma still needs the efforts of the juniors!)
Epilogue
Friends, there’s no need to say too much. I hope we can share more stories when we meet again next time!
