From self-study college associate degree to Hong Kong computer science master's degree, how does a 38-year-old mother tell you to change your life

Date：2022-03-22   Author：admin

From self-study college associate degree to Hong Kong computer science master's degree, how does a 38-year-old mother tell you to change your life


Although it has been a month since the explore team received Yan's admission to Hong Kong, the excitement and the profound sense of value that the entire team felt at that time still permeated every teacher in the team.

Just as we have always mentioned: explore is an academic and ability improvement platform, and the main characters are always just the people of the explore platform.

Today, Yan, the protagonist, has sorted out her entire mental journey throughout the application process. Whether you are a parent, an employee, or a student, no matter if you are confused, anxious, or at a loss.

It is recommended that you take some time to read it carefully and calmly. It is sure to bring a little ripple to your heart.

Next month is my 39th birthday. The birthday present came to me on this day last month. It's a day with mixed emotions for me in the past seven years.

I received good news from my application teachers, Mr. Chen and Mr. Yu, on wechat. I was admitted to the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

At that moment, my emotions were extremely complicated and tears couldn't be stopped from falling. On the other end of the mobile phone screen, the two teachers also embraced and wept. Because only they know how hard and difficult my path has been.

The troubles of self-taught students

Twenty years ago, after failing the college entrance examination, I didn't repeat my senior year of high school. Instead, I chose to directly enter the school to take the self-study examination for an associate degree and a bachelor's degree, and eventually obtained a bachelor's degree. My mother told me that nothing is more precious than time, so I chose to keep moving forward.

After graduating from university, I came to Guangzhou. When it comes to job hunting, the "self-study examination" degree makes it hard for me to talk about. Perhaps it's just my good luck. The enterprises I work for are all decent big companies. This can be regarded as a favor from the heavens to me.

In the fifth year after graduating from my undergraduate program, in order to get rid of the "self-study examination" degree, I chose to pursue a part-time postgraduate degree.

When I received the admission notice from my favorite school, I was excited for quite a while. Although I was only a part-time postgraduate student, I felt that I had reached a new level.

As soon as I entered the school, I set my sights on myself. I wanted to pursue a doctoral degree, so I hoped to get good grades. I took every exam seriously and even stayed up all night. My average score is over 80. After obtaining a postgraduate degree, I smoothly started working in a bank.

I developed the idea of studying in Hong Kong

Ten years ago, I was always working in a Hong Kong enterprise and had many opportunities to go to Hong Kong for training and meetings, interacting with many Hong Kong people. I am deeply attracted by the city of Hong Kong and also impressed by the serious attitude of Hong Kong people towards work.

"I want to study there and also work there!" I said to myself silently.

A difficult IELTS journey

After checking the official websites of various Hong Kong universities, it was found that IELTS is a threshold. So in August 2011, when I was 31 years old, I took the IELTS test for the first time in my life and got a score of 4.5. I was stunned at that moment.

I immediately signed up for a training course. In the oral English class, all the classmates answered the teacher's questions fluently. For me, who graduated nine years ago and had never spoken English before, I felt a bit like a mute eating bitter gourd.

The two-month training ended quickly. I still couldn't speak at all and could only rely on my back to complete my oral test. Over the following years, I gradually went from 4.5 to 5 and then to 5.5. If you sign up for one-on-one training in the middle, no matter how good the teacher is, you still need to absorb the methods and keep practicing by yourself. In the past seven years, I have taken about 25 IELTS tests.

During the years of preparing for the IELTS, I measured each day in minutes. During the day, I need to work, and when I get home at night, I have to face my family. The time I leave for myself is the two hours after 10 p.m.

Every morning, I set an alarm to get up at 5 o 'clock, but I just can't get up. I usually dawdle until 5:30, or even 6 o 'clock, before I can get up to read (because I'm just too sleepy), spending nearly an hour on listening exercises and explanations.

I finished washing up at 7 o 'clock and left for work at 7:30. During the half an hour on the subway, I repeated the content I had listened to in the morning. In fact, it was just a way to sharpen my ears.

During the break at work, I once ran into the corridor (where there was basically no one) or even the toilet, holding my phone and reciting the written oral content. At noon, after having lunch, my colleagues chatted and found the office too noisy. So I carried my bag and went to the nearby library to do reading exercises. One hour is exactly enough to finish an exercise. I'll be back at the company to rest before 1 p.m.

On the 10-minute walk from the company to the library, I always see white-collar workers taking a nap and strolling around. Although I work in the CBD of Guangzhou, I have no time to pay attention to everything around me. There is only one thought in my mind - to strive to pass the IELTS.

Anyone who has taken the IELTS test knows that you usually have to enter the test room before 8:30 on weekends. Every weekend exam, I get up at 6 o 'clock, have a quick breakfast at 6:30, and leave for the examination room at 7 o 'clock. Every time I experience such a morning, I ask myself, "Why do I have to work so hard to do this? I could have lain in bed and slept until I woke up naturally on such a weekend." There was only one answer in my heart: "I want to go to Hong Kong."

The tortuous application process

To increase my chances of successful application, I chose a study abroad agency for assistance. I have added over a dozen teachers from overseas study agencies on wechat. Whenever they mention that I have a self-study examination degree, all the teachers say that the chance of going to Hong Kong is very slim and suggest going to the UK or Australia.

By chance, I heard a lecture given by Mr. Yu from Yisi Boluo Institution. I only remember that it was a lecture aimed at students with poor academic performance who were applying for a comeback. I've signed up. The lecture is scheduled for the afternoon, but I can't attend it on time due to work. On my way home that day, I opened the link to the lecture and listened to Professor Yu's lecture in its entirety. The case of a female music major who managed to secure an OFFER from the University of Hong Kong struck a chord in my heart.

With a nervous heart, I got in touch with Teacher Yu and told her, "I'm taking the self-study examination. Can I apply for a public school in Hong Kong?" .

Teacher Yu replied to me, "You can give it a try."

I'd like to give you a call and tell you in detail about my situation.

That day, Teacher Yu went to watch a performance and we agreed to call me as soon as he got home. That night, my mood was very complicated. I knew it was a very important call. At 11:30 p.m., as soon as Teacher Yu got home, we started talking. I told her about the hardships of my exam preparation and my wish to study in Hong Kong. We talked until 1 a.m. I already feel that having such a teacher who is willing to listen patiently to my inner voice and thoughts is enough for me.

Teacher Yi Si Bo Le Yu said, "We will try our best. Whether we succeed or not, we will have no regrets."

Yes, life is all about daring to try. If I have tried and failed, I have no regrets at all.

I quickly confirmed the contract and other matters with Teacher Yu from Yisi Boluo.

She carefully helped me choose a school that suited me and communicated and confirmed each major with me one by one. At that moment, I saw a tiny flame of hope in my heart.

Teacher Chen carefully revised all the application documents for me and clearly guided me in preparing various supporting documents.

Although I don't know if I can succeed, I want to try my best to do everything well.

On December 20, 2018, Teacher Chen successfully submitted my online application for me and asked me to wait patiently for about eight weeks before there would be a result.

To increase the success rate of my application, I have communicated with the teachers and I want to take the IELTS test again on February 14, 2019. During the seven days of the Spring Festival, I left my family behind and stayed at home alone, reading, eating and sleeping.

Those days, the loneliness of being alone coexisted with the pain of studying. I don't know the road ahead, but I tell myself, "It's important to try to solve every problem in front of me well."

Due to the examination venue arrangement, I came from Guangzhou to Shenzhen for the exam. I spent the entire three days at the hotel studying and reading. I have always been silently encouraging myself in my heart, "It's definitely possible."

At 5:30 p.m. on February 28th, just before the end of the workday, I saw on wechat that Mr. Chen and Mr. Yu excitedly told me that I had been admitted to the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and that I could continue to study my favorite major - artificial intelligence and fintech. At that moment, I knew that everything was worth it.

I am grateful to my mentor, Mr. Yisi, and to my two teachers, Mr. Yu and Mr. Chen. It is you who have opened up a new path in my life.

I know that my future study life will also be cruel and tough, but I'm not afraid because these seven years have honed my self-discipline and patience.

Yan's sharing was organized and sent to the explore team one night. Everyone read it at once and expressed their own insights in the internal work group one after another. Everyone's understanding of education and the educational cause they are engaged in have become more cherished and respectful in their hearts.

Teacher Yu


Consultant teacher, double degree in Business English and Business Administration, obtained TEM-8, BEC certificate, IELTS 7.0. This outstanding student has been engaged in the study abroad industry for five years. With his positive energy and high professional responsibility, he has helped over a hundred families.

Teacher Chen


Copywriting and document teacher, "Gao Yuanyuan" in the copywriting and document field, with outstanding language talent, IELTS 7.5, and writing 7. Skilled at communicating with students, with meticulous logical thinking, I have been engaged in copywriting and clerical work for six years and have helped over a hundred students enter their dream schools.