Chen Yiquan, from Class of bioscience of 2019, majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology, is currently a graduate student of Zhejiang University (2023).

Editor's Note: Nearly 4,000 graduates of the Class of 2023 will soon become the youngest alumni. After the refinement and accumulation of their four-year university life, they are full of achievements and will embark on a new journey of pursuing knowledge, innovation and dedication to the motherland. The official microblogging site of TU has set up a column "Glories of Honor Graduates", showing the performance of the outstanding representatives among the graduates, encouraging the students to learn from the role models and motivating them to advance.

Find your own rhythm

"Biological sciences is my major and also what fascinates me." This is how Chen summarized what he had learned in his four years of college.

In bioscience class, where the competition was so intense, Chen's performance was not the most outstanding, but he was not frustrated or anxious. In his opinion, the top priority is to clarify his own goals and positioning, and pursue knowledge in a practical manner. In the classroom, he interacted with teachers and tried to grasp the main points of knowledge; after class, he reviewed the classroom knowledge at the first time. Through thorough consultations and summarizations, he formed his perceptions and experiences about the subject, and better mastered his professional knowledge. He believes that it is no use feeling anxious, but to stick to the plan he has made. After establishing a good goal, there is no need to compare yourself with anyone, and it is most important to see your real progress. In college, he won the school-level third-class scholarship for three years in a row, and also won the honor for being a hard learner of the school. Research is also an important part of Chen's university life, and a significant support for him to enter graduate school in the future. At the beginning of his sophomore year, he decided to engage in scientific research with his supervisor in the laboratory, where he mastered the theories of his books more clearly and deeply through study. He said that the quiet atmosphere of the laboratory could create favorable conditions for him to think fully so that he often stayed there for more than ten hours. With the guidance of his supervisor and the drive of his passion, Chen Yiquan chose to persist through his scientific research journey even more firmly. "Publishing a paper as the first author, winning a scientific research competition or achieving excellent results in the innovation and entrepreneurship competition—it is affirmation of my persistence in scientific research. The pleasure of overcoming difficulties is always too much to refuse." Chen said. He published a paper as the first author in Hubei Agricultural Science, a core journal of Chinese science and technology, headed a national student innovation and entrepreneurship project, and won one gold and two bronze medals of provincial-level competitions on Innovation and Entrepreneurship. These are the scientific research achievements of Chen during his college years, laying a solid foundation for his subsequent graduate studies.

Fight against yourself

Asked when the goal of graduate school was clarified, Chen Yiquan said that the seed was planted as early as sophomore year when a tutor asked them to participate in a high-profile academic forum. Later on, he chose the university after some comparison. "Zhejiang University should be the dream of many Zhejiang students, and I want to prove myself!" Chen said with a smile. The road to graduate school is undoubtedly arduous and many will choose a study friend to fight side by side, while Chen Yiguan chose to prepare for the exam alone. He said everything should be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, which means other people's experience is not all can be copied in your own preparation, for everyone is an independent individual, and the most important thing is to figure out the suitable way to yourself. To focus on preparing for the exam and avoid being disturbed by cluttered and ineffective information, he even uninstalled a lot of software during the period of exam preparation. "Comparing yourself with others will only increase your anxiety, while studying for the exam is a process of fighting against yourself." This is what Chen Yiquan said. His goal was to find the right rhythm on the road to graduate school, and to move forward without any delay. Bumpy as the road was, there were a lot of fun. "One day when I was eating in a restaurant, I was fascinated by a knowledge point, and suddenly I figured it out and burst out shouting in excitement. You can imagine how embarrassing it was at the moment. It was so funny to think about it." Chen recalled. In the face of resistance, he will also be anxious. When feeling he cannot make it no matter how hard he tries, he will refresh his spirit by doing some sport. The encouragement of his supervisors and friends is also his spiritual pillar on the way forward. As an optimist, he is not arrogant and impetuous on this long road. Slowly, and step by step, he eventually actualized his Zhejiang University dream.

Jump out of your comfortable zone

"University is only four years, and the epidemic accounted for three years. Flat as it is, I kept moving forward." That is his summary of his university life.

      In addition to his studies and research, Chen also served as a cadre in the editorial department of the university's media center during his college years, and participated in debates and basketball games. Perhaps in the eyes of others, these activities unrelated to professional learning are not useful, but Chen holds that he benefited a lot. He said that the work in the department made him meet sincere friends; the exercise in the debate competition made him calm and answer smoothly in the second round of the postgraduate entrance examination; basketball games made him gain the unforgettable brotherhood. "Get out of your comfort zone early and try more different fields." When it comes to the message to the undergraduates, Chen Yiquan responded. "Crossing the gap of time and avoiding the strife. Most of the four years of university life were occupied by the epidemic. But thankfully, there is a lot of time ahead and you can make full use of those years to make up for the time missed in undergraduate life." Talking about his feelings after going to graduate school, he said he is desirous to go his own way, have the courage to challenge the unknown instead of easily accepting the labels posted by others, keep his feet on the ground, and become humbler.

Looking back, he has crossed a peak and entered his dream school with enthusiasm; looking forward to the future, he is full of expectations and is about to embark on a new challenging journey. Graduation is a new starting point, and he will continue to maintain a positive and enterprising attitude and move forward step by step in his journey towards the future.