Graduates encouraged to sleep and dream

Shenzhen University offered pillows as a graduation gift to graduates on Sunday, in the hope of reminding them of the importance of sleep and pursuing their dreams.

At the graduation ceremony, president of the university Mao Junfa urged the young graduates to prioritize their health and avoid staying up late. He warned them not to wait until sleep becomes a luxury and then lament the fleeting nature of their youth and the long nights.

The front of the pillow features four different designs that depict iconic buildings representing Shenzhen and the university. On the back, a message from the university reads, "Look up at the starry sky at night to dream, and step solidly on the ground during the day to chase dreams."

Mao said that instead of being woken up by an alarm clock in the morning, it should be the problems they need to solve and the dreams they aspire to achieve that get them out of bed.

In previous years, the university gifted graduates items such as umbrellas with the meaning of breaking a path through troubles, and backpacks symbolizing adventurous spirit.

In addition to the customized pillows, the university also prepared commemorative test tubes of soil and branches from the university's lychee garden. The materials were carefully selected, collected, and sterilized for graduates to take away as part of their memories of the school.