Beyond the textbook
Universities are increasingly offering innovative courses that focus on practical life skills, helping students prepare for the real world beyond academics.
The course covers a wide range of real-life situations, equipping students with practical skills for both university life and their transition into society. Topics include visiting a hospital, basic cooking, understanding consumer rights, advice on renting, labor laws, and resume writing.
"This is the most challenging course I've ever prepared," Fu admitted.
To ensure the lessons were relevant and engaging, Fu researched reliable sources and even took online courses to learn the material himself before teaching it to his students.
The course quickly became a hit. Initially designed for 100 students, nearly 200 enrolled, with many in standing-room attendance.
Fu is also a video content creator who regularly shares his experiences as a young university teacher.
In September 2024, he began to post segments of his course on Chinese social media platforms like Bilibili and Douyin, where his content resonated with many young netizens. Today, Fu's channel has more than 5 million followers, mostly university students.
"I believe this course meets the real needs of students," Fu said. "University education isn't just about acquiring knowledge; it's about developing critical thinking and learning how to live a fulfilling life."
Yu Feng, a psychology professor at Wuhan University (WHU) in Hubei province, shares a similar perspective.
