| Prayer for Test Takers
Lord, today I am just really stressed. You know, Lord, that I am having some trouble with the test I am about to take. I know it’s probably not the biggest world problem, with people starving, people turning away from you, people in wars, and more. But, Lord, it’s what I’m facing right now, and I need you in this time. I know that no problem is too big or too small for you to handle, and I need to turn this stress over to you to help me with. Lord, I just need to be able to focus. I need your help to look at this information so I can remember and apply it well on my exam. I need you to help me feel more confident going into the test and relax a bit so I can concentrate. Lord, please help the people around me to understand that I need to focus and study. Also, Lord, help me when I walk into the exam. Give me the peace, when it is all said and done, to know that I walked in and did my best. I pray, Lord, for your guiding hand as I take the exam, and I ask for your welcome calm when I walk out of the classroom after. Lord, thank you for all the blessings you have placed in my life. Thank you for being here in this time when I feel a bit overwhelmed. Thank you for always being there and allowing me to rely on you. Praise your name. Amen. By Kelli Mahoney |
eduphil.org
The air crackles with anticipation in China’s tiny eastern town of Maotanchang ahead of the “gaokao”, the annual national college entrance exam more than nine million students are taking this year.
The town is famed for a middle school that puts students through rigorous 14-hour days in preparation for the exam, which begins on Wednesday and is usually spread over two days.
This year, about 9.4 million students will appear, the Xinhua state news agency said, roughly the same number since 2014 and down from a peak of 10.5 million in 2010.
The fiercely competitive test is seen as a key to social mobility and the best chance for school leavers to land a white-collar job.
China’s notoriously gruelling university entrance exams, the gaokao, begin today #EconArchive
— The Economist (@TheEconomist) June 6, 2017
Just 40 percent of students are expected to enroll in undergraduate degrees subsequently, however, Xinhua said, citing the 2017 enrollment plan of the Education Ministry.
But the exception is Maotanchang Middle School, whose website says 80 percent to 90 percent of its students have won college acceptances since 2010.
“My mother gave up her job and came here to keep me company,” said Xiang Licheng, a 20-year-old who came to Maotanchang to prepare for a second attempt at the exam.
He said the school had taught him endurance, among other life skills.
“Every time I don’t feel like studying, I will not relax, as I see the hardship my mother goes through in caring for me,” Xiang said.
Gaokao： a window of life-changing for students in China pic.twitter.com/P3FAC0IVVJ
— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) June 5, 2017
Restaurant owner Zhang Xunze said he moved to Maotanchang three years ago so his son could attend the school.
“We thought life was too boring and had nothing to do. So we gathered some money and started this restaurant,” said 49-year-old Zhang, whose business is a short walk from the school gate.
In the lead-up to the exams, students took part in incense-burning ceremonies to pray for good luck. They also released into the sky floating lanterns inscribed with “gaokao” messages.
China’s Education Ministry has urged exam venues to “create an optimal environment for students”, and guard against “extreme weather conditions, natural disasters and disease outbreaks that could occur during the exams,” Xinhua said.
In Anhui, teenagers and mothers are facing the pressure in the days leading up to the ‘#gaokao’ pic.twitter.com/0E8zxL3eYS
— Sixth Tone (@SixthTone) June 5, 2017
The parents of Maotanchang Middle School were doing their part to help. Students cramming on the weekend received tins of steaming soup their parents had queued patiently to deliver.
“What I am most worried about now is that I will not perform well in the exam,” said Zhang Chenlin, who lives with his mother in a tiny room near the school to prepare for his second try.
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www.studyinternational.com
The air crackles with anticipation in China’s tiny eastern town of Maotanchang ahead of the gaokao, the annual national college entrance exam more than 9 million students are taking this year.
The town is famed for a middle school that puts students through rigorous 14-hour days in preparation for the exam, which begins on Wednesday and is usually spread over two days.
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This year about 9.4 million students will take the exam, the Xinhua state news agency said, roughly the same number since 2014 and down from a peak of 10.5 million in 2010.
The fiercely competitive test is seen as a key to social mobility and the best chance for school leavers to land a white-collar job.
Just 40% of students are expected to enrol in undergraduate degrees subsequently, however, Xinhua said, citing the 2017 enrolment plan of the education ministry.
But the exception is Maotanchang Middle School, whose website says 80% to 90% of its students have won college acceptances since 2010.
“My mother gave up her job and came here to keep me company,” said Xiang Licheng, a 20-year-old who came to Maotanchang to prepare for a second attempt at the exam.
He said the school had taught him endurance, among other life skills.
“Every time I don’t feel like studying, I will not relax, as I see the hardship my mother goes through in caring for me,” Xiang said.
Restaurant owner Zhang Xunze said he moved to Maotanchang three years ago, so his son could attend the school.
“We thought life was too boring and had nothing to do. So we gathered some money and started this restaurant,” said 49-year-old Zhang, whose business is a short walk from the school gate.
In the lead-up to the exams, students took part in incense-burning ceremonies to pray for good luck. They also released into the sky floating lanterns inscribed with gaokao messages.
China’s education ministry has urged exam venues to “create an optimal environment for students,” and guard against “extreme weather conditions, natural disasters and disease outbreaks that could occur during the exams,” Xinhua added.
The parents of Maotanchang Middle School were doing their part to help. Students cramming on the weekend received tins of steaming soup their parents had queued patiently to deliver.
“What I am most worried about now is that I will not perform well in the exam,” said Zhang Chenlin, who lives with his mother in a tiny room near the school to prepare for his second try.
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www.atimes.com
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