A Fresh Start at the Open University

My name is Wang Lin, and I am a clerk in a small office. For many years my only tools were a telephone and a fax machine. Then one day I made an abrupt decision: I would go back to school. My initial plan was simple — I wanted to acquire new knowledge and earn a degree. I packed my books in a cloth bag, and my colleagues wished me well.

I decided to enroll at the Open University on the mainland. Enrolment was easy: I filled in a form and paid a small fee. Soon the school sent me a letter of admission to the college. I must admit that I was a little nervous at first. But the entrance exam was easier than I feared, and before long I was a freshman again.

The campus is green and quiet. A banner above the gate reads 'Welcome, New Students.' Our academy is one of the largest in the province. I study many subjects this term: English, chemistry, biology, economics, geography, geometry, and agriculture. I also take an accounting course and a literary course on world literature.

I am learning the English language. My teacher says fluency comes slowly, but I want to be fluent. Every morning I read the English alphabet and copy new words into a notebook. I use a bilingual dictionary, and I also study French, German, Italian, Greek, and a little Arabic. The librarian once showed me a Norwegian story and an Egyptian tale.

I love the library. There are a bookshelf and a bookcase near the door. I keep a bookmark in my book so I never lose my place. The library also has a small bookshop and a bookstore. Last month I read a best-seller and a non-fiction book about history. I write letters to old friends, and my handwriting is slow but clear.

I type my assignment on a computer. When I finish, I click 'save' and print a copy. Then I check every sentence and delete any mistake. My teacher asked me to write an article about the old town. I can describe the cathedral, the church, and the fine architecture, and I admire the architectural style of the old buildings. I added a caption under each picture, and a friend helped me edit the final version.

In history class we learned about ancient times. The teacher showed us a documentary about Rome. He said the city was founded in 753 BC. We also talked about religion. A Buddhist monk and a Christian priest came to speak with us, and a bishop visited our school. We saw a Catholic cathedral and read from the Bible. My teacher said, 'Education opens the door to knowledge.'

In mathematics I work with digits and numbers. I learn about addition and division. Logic and geometry are my favorite parts. I also like the mechanical drawing class. The teacher wrote my grade in the record book and said, 'You got a good mark.' She told us that forty students passed the exam last term.

In biology we study plants and animals. We have a botanical garden on campus and learn about botany. In biochemistry we handle chemicals in the laboratory, which is full of electronic machines. I also take an ecology class and learn about ecological problems. In my free time I enjoy gardening.

After class I often eat in the canteen, where the chef is very good. My classmate Lin Fang and I sometimes watch a DVD in the dormitory. I joined the school choir, and I also play football. The coach of our team was once the captain of a professional club. One weekend we walked in the garden. A beehive hung on a tree, so we stayed far away. The barber near the campus cuts hair for a low price.

Our teachers are kind. The headmaster and the headmistress greet us each morning at the entrance. My English instructor is a learned man and a famous educator. He teaches us grammar and idioms. He says, 'Never be afraid to consult your teacher. A good student asks questions.' He also tells us to instruct one another politely.

I have friends in many professions. One is a lawyer, one is an architect, and one is an engineer. Another is a designer, and yet another is an auditor who works in accounting. A logistician in our town helps move goods. My cousin wants to be an actor, and my aunt sells jewellery in a small shop. A minister of education once visited our institute and gave a speech.

In Chinese class I practice writing characters, and I try to be a person of good character. In English, every sentence begins with a capital letter. I learned about compound words, and I arrange new words in alphabetical order in my notebook. In the evening I enjoy a crossword puzzle. We must never deface a library book. My teacher also taught us about different fonts on the computer.

Sometimes I consult the dictionary on my desk to check a description or a definition. I read a short autobiography for class, and I became acquainted with the life of a great scientist. The school publishes a newsletter every Friday, and it features a figure of the week. I check my Facebook page for messages from the faculty.

To pass my English exam, I need good reading and grammar. I also need to do a dictation without any mistake. After I finish all my courses, the school will certify my results and give me a certificate. This certification will help me find a better job. It will be a real guarantee of my new skills.

My favorite program is interdisciplinary: it joins science, art, and society. In one investigation we studied how people learn to read. We had to investigate the habits of young readers and write a report. The department collected demographic information about students of every age.

I live in the dormitory with three roommates. One is a junior, and another is a juvenile who finished elementary school early. We often study together in the classroom. The library has an e-reader corner and a shelf of CDs and DVDs. Last week I borrowed a CD of English songs. I learned that a kilo of books is heavier than I thought.

Every day I learn new words and write their opposite meaning next to them. I pay attention to the keyword in each lesson. I also learn that some academic terms are pure jargon. An English-speaking learner should know common idioms, and we can also communicate non-verbally with gestures.

In geography we use maps and study geographic regions. A geographical survey showed how rivers shape the land. I also learned about the maglev train, a fast train that floats above the track. My classmate drew a flag and a picture of a giraffe for the school poster.

We learned about many religions in history class: Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity. A Moslem friend told me about his faith, and a Buddhist monk spoke about peace. Some Christians go to church on Sunday. We also read a book about the Greek gods. Each god had a special power, and one story says the gods showed no mercy to proud people.

My teacher says my handwriting needs practice. I learn to write the letter p carefully, because it is easy to confuse with q. In English, we write the first letter of a name with a capital letter. In art class, a learned friend taught us to engrave letters on a wooden board.

Ideally, every adult should be able to read and write. Literacy opens many doors. Some people literally cannot read a single word, and that limits their lives. Our goal in this program is to educate ourselves and, later, to help educate others. An educator never stops learning.

I must adjust to a busy schedule. Every morning I cross the road at the crossing near the school gate. I also need to manage my credit hours carefully. The curriculum is full, so I cannot add any extra course. I use a digital clock to wake up on time, and if I am late I may get detention.

Money is always a concern. The school budget had a small deficit last year, so the college raised the price of meals a little. I learn about budgets in my economics course. The accounting department keeps every record in good order.

When I write, I first make a draft, then I edit it, and at last I delete the wrong parts. I often consult a friend to check my work, and I correspond with a pen friend in Canada by email. My description of the campus was printed in the school newsletter. A specialist with deep expertise reviewed my final project.

Next summer I will do an externship in a company for three months. After that I will complete my final project, take my last exams, and then I will graduate. At graduation I will wear a cap and receive my diploma. My family will come to celebrate, and that diploma will certify my hard work.

Learning is a journey, not a race. My objective is clear: I want to be a truly educated person. I trust my own judgment and work hard every day. Studying alone needs discipline, but it is worth it. Someone may tell me that a shortcut will make me a master overnight. I say that is hogwash. There is no substitute for honest work. I will keep learning, and I will succeed.