At the International College(IC) of Xiamen University(XMU), a group of outstanding students — recipients of the 2025 Yanbao Scholarship, XMU — stand out with their brilliance. Five students from IC have recently been honored with this award, and their inspiring stories will be shared in the coming days. Today we’ll introduce Piao Meiyan, a student from class of 2024, major in International Finance.

Profile

Piao Meiyan

Major：International Finance, Class of 2024

Academic ：Ranked 6th out of 273 in the 2024–2025 academic year; IELTS score 6.0
Awards: Received the 2025 Yanbao Scholarship at Xiamen University and the Academic Excellence Scholarship (Third Class) from the International College

Diligent in Study, Devoted in Practice

Being consistent and hardworking with the right methods matters more than mindless competition. I firmly believe that learning has no shortcuts—finding your own pace and managing your time well is the real path to success. In both my daily studies and IELTS preparation, I've gradually developed efficient learning methods that work for me.

I avoid procrastination and make sure to finish each day's tasks on the same day. After every class, while the key points are still fresh, I promptly organize my notes and review what I've learned, never putting things off until later. I also set aside fixed time each day to focus on my homework, spreading out the pressure so I never have to rush before deadlines. On weekends, I usually study at the library. I make a daily plan in advance and complete it item by item, drawing motivation from a growing sense of achievement. I don't blindly follow others' learning rhythms—I prefer to make steady progress at my own pace.

Being focused and committed，strengthens the very foundation of learning. Previewing before class is essential for getting the most out of lectures—by addressing potential difficulties ahead of time, I can easily follow the instructor's train of thought and capture the main points. When I study, I consciously keep my phone out of reach to remove distractions and give my full attention, which is the crucial first step toward deep, focused learning.

Learning is about making steady progress day by day. I make it a habit to memorize and review vocabulary daily, strengthening my English foundation. When I read, I start by skimming for the main idea before tackling challenging words and sentences. Over time, this consistent approach has greatly improved my reading speed and accuracy

Put knowledge into Practice

Outside of academics, I firmly believe that stepping out of the classroom and engaging in various hands-on activities during college is highly valuable. It not only broadens my experience but also helps develop my overall capabilities in a well-rounded way.

While preparing for the English presentation event 'Understanding Chinese Cultural Symbols, Telling China's Story Well,' I took on the full challenge—from content development and English speech delivery to video editing and live presentation. With my teachers' professional guidance and my friends' heartfelt encouragement, I went through many rounds of script revisions and rehearsals. I overcame language and expression difficulties, deepened my understanding of how Chinese cultural symbols are communicated internationally, and built the resilience to face challenges without easily giving up.

While volunteering on Campus Open Day, I patiently guided prospective students and their parents, introduced campus facilities, and answered questions about academic programs and student life. This experience strengthened my communication skills as well as the on-the-spot adaptability.

At the 12th Xiamen University Campus Choir Festival, I consistently showed up for rehearsals regardless of my academic workload. Being part of this group activity not only strengthened my self-discipline and persistence but also gave me a profound appreciation for the value of teamwork, collaboration, and helping one another.

Furthermore, I used my vacation to do an internship at a company. This experience truly showed me the gap between the theoretical knowledge acquired on campus and the practical demands of real work. I learned to appreciate the high standards of precision and rigor expected in the workplace, as well as the importance of being efficient and results-oriented.

In summary, whether it was participating in academic competitions, volunteer work, choir rehearsals, or corporate internships, these experiences has enabled me to accumulate in devotion, to develop through persistence, and to make progress through teamwork.

Message to Fellow Students

I would like to share with you a quote that has always inspired me: "There is still glory beyond".

College is the freest and most precious stage in our lives. You will face many choices—perhaps moments of confusion, anxiety, and self-doubt. Sometimes you may work hard without seeing immediate results; other times you may stand at a crossroads, unsure of which path to take. But please remember: even when the light is not yet visible ahead, do not give up easily.

Cherish every day of your college life. Take your academic studies seriously, actively participate in hands-on activities and volunteer work, and refine yourself through every attempt. There is no need to rush for success or blindly follow the crowd. Find your own pace, settle your mind, and invest in your growth. Embrace what you love and move forward with determination. Eventually, you will break through the fog and welcome the light that belongs to you.