Bad advice can ruin the journey

July is an exciting yet challenging month for high school graduates who will apply to universities after they find out how well they have done in the annual College Entrance Examination. As a change of major is not very common in China, students may feel that they are facing a one-shot deal in choosing an area of study and their future career.

The choice can weigh heavy on young students, many of whom are not yet equipped with the skills and knowledge to make such decisions. Many turn to parents, teachers and other authoritative figures for advice. Unfortunately, some of these advisers offer their words of wisdom based not on a student's interests and potential, but on what is "hot".

Recently, a Harbin Institute of Technology professor lamented on his micro blog that his friend's daughter had chosen to study history at Peking University. "A silly liberal arts girl came into being," the professor declared. When challenged about his statement, the professor went on to say that liberal arts students will eventually develop an "anti-science" mentality and often go on to harm society.