The top student in Sociology said, "Studying alone is not enough."

Solid foundation

Born and raised in Hanoi, Dieu Linh attended prestigious schools from a young age. In the entrance exam for 10th grade, she excelled and was admitted to Kim Lien High School, one of Hanoi's top schools. Furthermore, she was raised in a family with a rich research tradition. Dieu Linh is the granddaughter of Professor, Doctor, and People's Teacher Nguyen Huu Vui – one of the leading figures in Vietnamese philosophy. Therefore, from a young age, she was exposed to, absorbed, and accumulated a wealth of knowledge and experience to prepare her for life. From a young age, Dieu Linh showed an inclination towards the social sciences and humanities, consistently being a member of the school's literature competition team from elementary school. Her choice to study at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities stems from this passion and also carries the great expectations of her maternal grandfather for his granddaughter – the one who will continue the family tradition. Diệu Linh confided: “I am a very passionate social science student. After sharing my dream with my grandfather, he guided me to apply to the Faculty of Humanities – the leading university in the country in this field.”

Diệu Linh's journey as a student was built upon many factors, with her family being the strongest foundation that allowed her to confidently explore herself, learn, and strive for success. Sharing her thoughts on this, Diệu Linh openly stated:"I feel very fortunate to have lived and been educated in such an environment. My grandparents and parents were all researchers and guided me early on towards a path that aligned with my aspirations.""The training environment was very important to this valedictorian. Four years at the prestigious University of Humanities were also four years in which she associated her name with impressive achievements."

Pham Dieu Linh at Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam

Impressive achievement

Throughout her four years of study, Dieu Linh achieved numerous accomplishments. Academically, she consistently earned the title of outstanding student in her class and the university. She also received many certificates and awards, including: a Certificate of Merit from the Rector of the university for "Excellent Academic Results" in the 2013-2014 academic year; a Certificate of Merit from the Director of Hanoi National University for "Outstanding Graduation Achievement in the 2015 Academic Year"; and the Lawrence S. Ting Scholarship for outstanding students of Hanoi National University. Dieu Linh was also awarded the "Outstanding Young Person" award in 2014 by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. Her GPA was 3.67, achieving an Excellent rating, making her one of the top students in her major.

Besides her studies, she is also a passionate and active student involved in scientific research. Throughout her studies, Dieu Linh has always been aware of the necessity and significance of participating in scientific research activities. It helps students connect theory with practice, linking classroom knowledge with real-life situations and society, as well as learning how to approach scientific research methods. The research awards she has received demonstrate this passion. In 2014, she won third prize in the "Student Scientific Research" competition, and in 2015, she won first prize in the "Student Scientific Research" competition at the university level. Currently, Dieu Linh is also pursuing a double degree in English Language at the University of Foreign Languages ​​- Vietnam National University, Hanoi, because, according to her: "I always believe that foreign languages ​​are an indispensable skill in today's society. When you have good specialized knowledge and a foreign language to complement it, you will have many advantages in your work." Perhaps that's why, no matter how difficult things get, even when juggling two accredited schools simultaneously, Dieu Linh always reminds herself to try her best and put in her utmost effort.

Not only does she possess outstanding academic achievements, but Diệu Linh also boasts an incredibly impressive record of accomplishments in her personal and professional life. As a dynamic young person who loves social activities, she has continuously taken on many roles since entering university. She holds the position of Class President and is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Sociology Faculty's Student Union and Association. Throughout the 2011-2013 term, she was honored to receive a Certificate of Merit for "Having made significant contributions to the Association's work and student movements" from the Executive Committee of the Youth Union and Student Association of the University. Diệu Linh was also a member of the organizing committee of the University's "Student Social Work Team" Club. She was also the organizer and MC of a series of programs that have become the "brand" of the Sociology Faculty, such as: the Vietnam Sociology and Social Work Day 2013; Sociology Online II, Sociology Online III... The top student in Sociology also loves being an MC and frequently hosts programs and events at school. According to Linh:I believe that being an active student isn't enough just studying. I'm always conscious of the need to continuously improve myself by participating in extracurricular activities. This will enhance my soft skills and provide invaluable practical experience."

With that perspective, Linh also works as a collaborator for the CASA Training and Consulting Team – University of Social Sciences and Humanities, serving as the Head of External Relations; a collaborator for the Youth Box Channel, a media channel of Towards Transparency (TT) – Transparency International; an active volunteer for the Hanoi Youth Blood Donation Movement; and has participated in numerous other social activities over the years. This dynamic and enthusiastic young woman always proves herself in every situation and in every challenge.

Advice for the next class

As a girl who always lives life to the fullest for her passions and achieves outstanding results, Dieu Linh always knows how to balance work and studies. Linh said: "For me, the time spent studying is not as important as the effective learning method, and self-study at home is very important. I always only take notes on keywords and record the lectures of my teachers in class." Before each exam, Linh prepares her outlines meticulously, using vivid examples to make a difference among thousands of other papers. At the same time, always aware of the importance of English, Linh always makes the most of her free time to study the language.

Speaking about her choice of major, Linh shared:First, you should define your passion for a particular career path. Only then will you know what field to study and what skills you need to develop to support it. Spending a lot of time studying isn't as effective as studying with a method and a clear direction. Make your mark while you're still in school.For Linh, pursuing a major in sociology, she believes she has learned and changed a great deal in her perspective on social issues: “It’s true, as the famous 20th-century sociologist Peter Berger said, ‘The charm of sociology lies in its ability to explain problems, allowing us to see the world we have lived in our whole lives in a new light.’ It can be said that the primary wisdom of sociology is that things are not as they seem.”

After graduating as valedictorian with an excellent degree, Linh qualified for postgraduate studies. Therefore, even without a single day of rest since graduation, she is currently busy preparing her postgraduate research proposal, embarking on a new chapter in her career. Linh's wish is to stay at the university as a lecturer, fulfilling her passion for teaching and scientific research, and sharing her knowledge and youthful enthusiasm with future generations of students.