New generation, new campus life

New gears

These young people generate a new vibrant atmosphere at the campus and lead the latest fashion trends, which used to be the "territory of people born in the 1990s or earlier".

Two-wheel self-balancing electric vehicles, drones and mini projectors have become three new essential items bought by the new students, aside from "old-fashioned" cellphones and computers, according to the purchasing list based on data collected at school-opening day in September from Tmall, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd's business-to-consumer shopping site.

"Universities are often too large to walk from one place to another, especially during peak time for classes. Electric vehicles, which cost around 2,000 yuan ($290), are a great alternative for bicycles or cars, and are easy to store in a dorm," a student told Xinhua net.

Meanwhile, a mobilephone-sized miniature projector, if connected to Wi-Fi, can project a 250-cm screen on the wall, turning any room into a cinema.

However, for Wang Kaiyue, a 25-year-old starting her postgraduate year at Liaoning University in September, these accessory trends are something "she would never consider taking to university".

Wang jokes that she may be "too old to understand the fashion among the younger generation".

Based on an online investigation conducted by MyCOS, a Chinese enterprise for higher education data management and consulting, in August, 46 percent of 949 new students who took the survey purchased electronic devices, such as mobile phones, laptops and game consoles.

Around 25 percent bought new clothing.

Different economic situations and purchasing power have also triggered various trends, that is, nearly half (43 percent) of the students surveyed in rural areas spent no more than 2,000 yuan on college essentials.

However, the percentage for nonrural students surveyed is only 26 percent, and 20 percent of nonrural students spent over 10,000 yuan in preparation for campus life.

In September, Cainiao Network, an Alibaba Group logistics arm, released the list of universities in China where new students sent luggage ahead of their arrival to campus, instead of taking it themselves.

Yunnan University in Yunnan province, Xiangtan University in Hunan province, and Jiangnan University in Jiangsu province are ranked the top three respectively, where over 10,000 parcels were transported to each venue every day.

"Growing up with new technology, and in a rather open society, students born in the 2000s are always following trends and bringing new ideas to college culture," said Wang.

"They will definitely lead new lifestyles and make new requests to the university."