University's warm response to student's failure touches netizens

The reply from Southwest University in Chongqing to a high school graduate who failed to score high enough to gain admittance has warmed the hearts of many on social media platforms.

In a private message sent to the university's Sina Weibo account, the student from Chongqing, who lives nearby, described her great desire to attend the university and frustration that she did not perform well in the national college entrance exam, or gaokao.

"My head teacher told us that not doing well in the gaokao would be one of the biggest regrets of our lives," she wrote.

The art student wrote that she has been to the university many times and often wondered whether she would become one of its students someday, and performs in its classrooms and on its stage.

"The next time I go to the university, I will be filled with regrets. It seems others have done well and I am the only one that failed," she wrote. "Does my life end this summer? I have made a mess of everything. Do I still have a future?"

Replying to the message, the university told the disappointed student that her life would not be determined by what for now is the "seemingly most important thing".

It added that no one can guarantee a smooth life, and what is important is not a single achievement, but perseverance and that there were many roads in life, each unique in its own way.

"You cannot say for sure which one is bad and which is good," the reply said. "Your sadness and frustration are normal but you should not let them prevent you from moving forward. Your beautiful life has just started, so how can you say that it ends this summer?"

Screenshots of the messages became a trending topic on Sina Weibo on Monday, with netizens saying they were touched.

"Anyone who has dreams is worth commending, it's great that you are fighting for your dreams," one netizen wrote. "The best way to predict the future is to work hard and time will surprise you," wrote another.

Many students have voiced their determination to enroll by tagging their dream universities, and some netizens have said that the replies from the universities are their best adverts for enrollment.

According to China Youth Daily, the art student has decided to retake the gaokao next year.

A record 11.93 million students signed up for the exam this year, 1.15 million more than last year, according to the Ministry of Education.