Students tell of testing times in Wuhan

"As an only child, I always had my parents around me and was not used to living with classmates, but the school protected us well during the outbreak and helped us lead a normal life," she said.

Munira got up at 5:50 am to study Chinese, English and biology before doing her homework and taking tests. She went to bed at about midnight. Sometimes, when she felt stressed, she watched online videos, listened to music and phoned her parents.

"I miss them a lot and want to go home. They always cheer me up and encourage me. I became interested in psychology when I watched a Hong Kong television series in the 10th grade and want to take the subject at college," she said.

"I want to work for a university in Wuhan or Urumqi when I graduate."

Parents comforted

Ramila Ruztohti, who comes from Hotan prefecture, Xinjiang, said many of her relatives cried and were worried about her when they heard about the outbreak in Wuhan in January.

"I'm the youngest child in my family. I often got in touch with my elder sister and brother when I felt stressed. I comforted my parents and other relatives while chatting online, telling them that my middle school was taking very good care of me," she said.

Born in 2000, the young woman said she wants to become an English-language teacher when she graduates. In summer last year, she taught Mandarin to farmers in her hometown, describing this as a "meaningful achievement" in her life.

"I'm an outgoing girl who loves to communicate. Teaching English can help others converse with more people in the world. I'll return home when I graduate. Although life in other provinces and regions is good, I prefer to go home to help make it a better place," she said.

Parental advice

Wu Caiwei, a student from Wuhan, said she is learning cookery as she wants to make meals for her parents.