With this year's national college entrance examination finished in June for the first time this year, the city's high school graduates are faced with a new question: How to spend the three-month summer holiday.
Even education authorities are busy grappling with the issue, trying to come up with ideas that ensure students do not just while away the time.
Shao Shengjie, of Shanghai No 2 Affiliated School of East China Normal University, still has to attend school these days, even though the college entrance exam is over.
And she is not alone. In response to the Shanghai Education Commission's guideline that requires schools to "keep constant contact with graduates," many institutes have chosen to bring their outgoing graduate students together in a class and arrange various activities for them.
Shao and her peers now attend lectures given by psychologists on how to adjust to life at a university, as well as visiting venues such as the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum.
"I don't mind going to school every day," said Shao. "If I stayed at home, I wouldn't know what to do until I know my exam results."
According to Hu Yucun, a teacher of Shixi High School, all activities arranged by the school will last until the test results are out on June 25.
"Normally, the graduation ceremony is held before the exam. However, this year it has been scheduled after the exam. So we are planning a special celebration so that graduates will remember their high school life," said Xu Jianmiao, Xiangming Middle School principal.
With more than 70 percent of graduates planning to enroll into universities and colleges this year, many students are busy preparing for campus life.
Shao has applied to the architecture department of Tongji University. "Since architecture majors need to meet high demands for drawing skills, once admitted to Tongji, I will take a drawing course during the vacation," she said.
However, not everyone is being so diligent.
"My father suggested that I take an English course in order to pass the College English Test Band 4," said Qian Juntao, a graduate. "But I don't want to study now. We have been under great pressure for such a long time that I have almost given up all my hobbies. Now it's time to relax."
Traveling with classmates has been another traditional option after the exam. But the SARS outbreak has prevented students from going long distances.
"We are simply sticking to neighboring provinces," Qian said.
(Eastday.com June 19, 2003)
