Working toward a dream

Li Jing, a senior student at the high school will take the gaokao in June. Her dream school is also Peking University.

As a Mangbu native, the 17-yearold feels a sense of belonging and happiness at the school. Studying there can also help save her parents money due to the generous scholarships awarded to students with good academic performances, she said.

The school offers three years of free tuition and accommodations, and 3,000 yuan in subsidies every year for students who perform well in the high school entrance exam, according to Mangbu's enrollment brochures.

Li gets up at 6 am and arrives in her classroom at 6:30. She takes an hourlong break at noon and returns to her dormitory at 10:30 pm. She said she enjoys the full schedule because she can study and rest well, and she feels happy and fulfilled.

"To enroll at PKU, I will have to work harder. Although the dream is still far away, I believe that with my teachers' help and care and my dedication, it can be achieved," she said.

Contact the writers at zoushuo@chinadaily.com.cn