The top student in Public Relations and the journey to achieving her dreams.

Belief and Love - The Key to Yen Hoa's Success
Born and raised in the peaceful countryside of Bac Giang province, Yen Hoa always harbored a dream of contributing to society and proving herself. With excellent academic achievements throughout her high school years at Bac Giang Specialized High School, Yen Hoa earned a place at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
Here, this student further demonstrated her talent by taking on many important positions in clubs and groups. The young woman not only excelled academically but was also a familiar face in the school's extracurricular activities.
“Thanks to the trust of my teachers and friends, I have taken on many important roles in various events, big and small, from organizing welcome programs for new students and football tournaments to talent search competitions… These valuable experiences have helped me hone my communication, teamwork, and leadership skills, while also equipping me with the necessary tools to embark on my career path. Participating in these activities was one of the wisest decisions I made during my student years,” she confided. Extracurricular activities have given Yen Hoa profound lessons about roles and responsibilities within an organization. The top-scoring student further shared: “Extracurricular activities helped me understand that in an organization, each person has their own role and responsibility. No matter what position I hold, I need to work diligently and try my best. Besides the goal of completing tasks, I always focus on creating good experiences and beautiful memories for my colleagues. To this day, I still keep in touch with my former colleagues, some of whom have even become my current colleagues. I cherish that very much!”
In a recent interview, Yen Hoa shared insightful perspectives on her personal growth. Despite her many achievements, Yen Hoa humbly admitted that she also faced considerable pressure and challenges. Peer pressure, the challenges of completing her graduation thesis, and the pain of losing her beloved mother... all once made the young woman hesitate. She confessed: "One issue that affected my mental health, not only during my student years but throughout my 16 years of schooling, was peer pressure because I was always studying with many 'model students.' In high school, I was constantly stressed because my friends were academically excellent, and in university, I felt anxious seeing some students my age starting work early or achieving things I hadn't even dreamed of."
With perseverance, determination, and support from family and friends, Yen Hoa overcame all obstacles to achieve the success she has today. “In the first few semesters of university, to avoid stress and pressure, I chose to unfollow social media accounts that frequently posted achievements. But that wasn't enough; I still felt the pressure to finish my studies quickly and graduate early to start working. After five semesters, having completed most of my courses, I changed my mindset and decided to slow down a bit. I realized that student life is beautiful and I didn't want it to pass by too quickly. Knowing what suited me, I enjoyed my studies more, exploring and expanding my knowledge instead of just focusing on getting grades and finishing my studies,” Yen Hoa shared. Looking back on her journey, Yen Hoa emphasized that self-belief was the most important factor in helping her overcome challenges. “My family is my strongest support system. Whenever I face difficulties, I always find comfort and encouragement from my loved ones. Even though my mother is no longer by my side, her image is always a great source of motivation for me to strive. And I believe she is still watching over my every step, protecting her daughter through hardships and smiling when I am happy,” Yen Hoa confided, her voice choked with emotion.
Self-confidence isn't always readily available; it's strengthened by recognition and encouragement from a solid support system. The top-scoring student shared: “I've always had my family as my anchor, with lavish feasts waiting for me after every achievement, big or small. My family patiently helped me understand: ‘You don’t need to strive to become someone else; walk your own path, and your family will always be there to support you.’ Besides my family, I was also guided by highly qualified and dedicated lecturers, along with friends who were always ready to join forces to conquer challenges. Standing on the shoulders of these giants, I no longer felt small or afraid. Without any of them, my university journey would certainly have been much more difficult.” Besides her family, Yen Hoa also feels fortunate to have studied in a dynamic environment with dedicated guidance from her teachers. This has created the conditions for her holistic development and the achievements she has today.
Living a life that benefits society: A perspective from Valedictorian Pham Yen Hoa
According to Yen Hoa, living a life that benefits society first and foremost means not creating a burden for the community. She explained: “Anyone can help those around them through small actions. For example, stopping to give directions to someone in need, holding children's hands at an intersection, or waking someone who has fallen asleep on the bus…” During her time at school, the young woman also participated in many meaningful community activities. In particular, the valedictorian and her group of friends organized a painting workshop called "Under the Eaves".
“The entire profit of 15 million VND from the workshop, along with some donated items, was given to Thinh Dai Pagoda, a home for many orphaned children. Witnessing the resilience of these orphaned children made our group want to give even more. The goal became bigger and more challenging, but we realized that together, the group could realize the plan and contribute more value to the community. The valuable lesson we learned was understanding the needs of those receiving help and the importance of creativity in charitable activities. The reward after two months of hard work was the hugs and smiles of the children at Thinh Dai Pagoda, the compliments from event participants, and countless memorable moments together,” the top-scoring student said. Having graduated at the top of her class in Public Relations, Yen Hoa didn't hesitate to share her valuable experiences with students currently studying this field. She proudly stated, "I've only just graduated and am just starting out in the profession, so I can't offer much advice yet. However, based on my limited personal experience, I believe that besides mastering fundamental knowledge from lectures, students in Public Relations and Communication need to equip themselves with relevant skills such as communication, photography, and adaptability to technology. At the same time, they should broaden their social understanding and proactively seek out new trends." Throughout her time studying at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Yen Hoa has had many wonderful memories. The new graduate fondly recalls her experiences as she becomes an alumnus.
She recounted: “Before the graduation ceremony, my academic advisor and I asked the Organizing Committee's media team to take a photo for us. After that day, I carefully checked the albums that the Organizing Committee shared but couldn't find that picture. Because I cherished it so much and longed to have that image, I confided in the teachers and staff of the Political and Student Affairs Department. They listened, enthusiastically asked questions, and helped me find the lost photo.”
The moment I received the photo, I cried, deeply moved by my teachers' kindness. That photo, already precious, became even more so. In response to my gratitude, my former students said, "Sincerity will be reciprocated with sincerity. Live and work hard, and when you come back to school, just call us!" These valuable experiences and lessons not only helped Yen Hoa mature but also inspired her to continue contributing and living a meaningful life for society. Through her story, the valedictorian wants to convey the message that everyone has their own journey with different challenges and blessings. She hopes that everyone will always maintain faith in themselves, not be afraid to try new things to find the most suitable path.
Vietnam Student Newspaper:The top student in Public Relations and the journey to achieving her dreams.