Let go of the pressure to be perfect.
Ngo Quynh Huong, 22 years old, has just become the valedictorian of the Psychology major at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, with a GPA of 3.87.
"I'm proud of this result, but what I value most isn't who the title has made me, but the reminder of the efforts that have contributed to making me who I am today," Huong shared.
Quynh Huong recently graduated with honors from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. Photo: Provided by the interviewee.
Four years ago, despite being accepted into several other universities early, Huong decided to choose Psychology. For Huong, this is a field with many humanistic values, especially in the context of mental health becoming an increasingly important concern for society.
Upon entering university, instead of aiming to become an outstanding student or valedictorian, Huong spent more time exploring the different "niches" of her field of study.
From her second year, Huong began participating in scientific research and internships at the school's psychology department or at educational psychology research institutes and centers.
"Each of those experiences helped me understand better what I truly want to pursue," Huong said.
That journey wasn't always smooth sailing. Huong recalls that during her last two years, she had to balance studying, scientific research, internships, and participating in various competitions. The intense schedule meant that at times, she felt exhausted, doubted her own abilities, and wondered if she was on the right track.
"Trying to achieve perfection puts pressure on me," Huong said.
Looking back, Huong says the first thing she changed was how she treated herself. Instead of trying to do everything perfectly, Huong learned to accept that some things could be done in a simpler way. The student also developed the habit of looking at the value of the experience instead of just focusing on the final result.
"Even if I don't reach my desired destination, I can still take home lessons and experiences that will help me go further on the next leg of my journey," Huong said.
It was this shift in mindset that helped Huong regain her balance, maintain motivation, and continue moving forward with a lighter heart.
The most valuable thing is not the title of valedictorian.
Looking back on her four years of university, Huong believes that what helped her maintain good academic performance was not absolute discipline but curiosity.
For each subject, I try to approach it from a different perspective. Some subjects require extensive reading, while others require practical observation or conversations with experienced professionals.
"It's curiosity that makes me always want to try new things, learn new things, and step out of my comfort zone," Huong said.
Therefore, from interdisciplinary research and internships in various fields to international exchange programs, Huong proactively seized every opportunity. Among these, the two academic exchange trips to China and Singapore helped Huong feel that she "learned the most."
At the end of her second year, Huong was selected to represent her university's students at an international summer camp at the Ocean University of China and to participate in an exchange program with the National University of Singapore during the summer of her third year, under a scholarship. There, Huong had the opportunity to visit laboratories and meet professors and students from many countries.
“I realized that science knows no boundaries. Despite coming from different cultures, everyone pursues a common goal: constantly learning and creating valuable contributions to the community,” Huong said.
Quynh Huong during an academic exchange trip to the National University of Singapore. Photo: Provided by the interviewee.
Despite her many experiences, on graduation day, sharing her thoughts with her classmates and teachers, Huong said that after four years of university, the most difficult question she received was, "What are you planning to do after graduation?"
"Honestly, the current data isn't enough for me to draw any conclusions. But university isn't the place to get all the answers; it's where we learn how to live with increasingly big questions," Huong said.
For Huong, not having a complete answer about the future isn't something to be afraid of. What's more important is to keep moving forward, keep experiencing things, and understand herself better each day.
After graduation, the female student plans to pursue a master's program at the University of Macau (China), focusing on cognitive psychology and neuroscience, particularly in the field of aging.
Huong hopes that the new learning environment will help her access modern research methods and give her the opportunity to participate in projects with academic and practical value.
Over the next 5-10 years, Huong hopes to focus her research on cognitive health in the elderly, particularly issues related to dementia. She hopes her scientific work can contribute to improving the quality of life for patients, reducing the burden on families and the healthcare system.
"This is a relatively new field in the country. I haven't yet defined my specific career path and responsibilities after graduation. However, I'm still willing to try this niche. I believe a research project is meaningful not only because it's published, but also because, ultimately, it can help someone feel happier. I hope that will always be my guiding principle in future research," Huong said.
Vietnamnet newspaper:The top graduate of the Faculty of Humanities ponders: 'What will I do after graduation?'
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The top graduate of the Faculty of Humanities ponders: 'What will I do after graduation?'
Author:Vietnamnet Newspaper
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