New generation, new campus life

Master of my own

The impulse to catch up with new trends nevertheless does not hinder the millennial freshmen's ambitions.

The clues can be found when students start to make their own decisions and take the consequences in deciding majors.

Normally, Chinese parents take part in or sometimes dominate their children's decision making.

Jin Zilong found his ambition in his last year of high school.

"Being a teacher doesn't guarantee a handsome salary, but I want to impart knowledge, answer students' questions, and teach them how to think independently," says Jin. Interests and strengths are also key elements to pick a major.

Yang Zecheng has been world champion four times at the VEX Robotics Competition, where teams of students are tasked with designing and building a robot to play against other teams in a game-based engineering challenge.

"So I made up my mind to pursue math at university to lay the foundation for further robotic research and studies," he adds.

Deciding majors is only a start. Students have diversified goals in the hope of becoming a better and well-rounded person after university.

Xie Fengze from Shanghai Jiao Tong University is studying mechanical engineering and plans to return to Chongqing to work as a qualified engineer there.

"That is where my parents are and the city provides a sense of belonging," he said.

"I hope I can play an important part in the building of that fast-developing city."

During university, most of the students are determined to put their studies first, followed by social activities, personality cultivation and relationship building.

Liu Wanxin from Tongji University said school exchange programs and voluntary activities were also chances to explore the world and broaden their horizon.

Chen Miao at Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics carries calligraphy as well as cosmetics in her bag.

As for the long-term goals, most freshmen are willing to further their studies after graduation.

Tang Linxia, deputy director of student affairs office at Shanghai University, claimed that the new generation are "more independent and keen to express their opinions and feelings than ever".

"The millennials share an obvious characteristic that they prefer taking proactive actions to being passively arranged," said Tang.

Li Lu, a 25-year-old graduating from University of International Business and Economics, encouraged freshmen to make use of every minute at university.

"I deeply regret not having any future plans at university. It's good to see the new generation has foresight," said Li.

Jiang Xinhong, a 25-year-old graduated from Dalian University of Foreign Languages in 2011, but the heavy luggage she brought on her 10-hour train journey from her home to the university was an experience she does not want to repeat.

"The development of transportation and technology has really brought great convenience," said Jiang.

Young people are no longer worried about a material life, no longer need to strive for learning opportunities, and are pursuing a more independent lifestyle.

So what are the new goals and development directions for them?

Qiu Yong, president of Tsinghua University, expected "a spirit of science" from the freshmen.

"Over the past century, scientific breakthroughs has seen huge changes to society. The boundary of knowledge is being extended," said Qiu at the university's opening ceremony for a new semester in August.

"I encourage the students to keep learning and be precursors of the new age."

Yu Ruyue contributed to this story.