Valedictorian of Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities: Once offered a reward if he only won second prize

Four years ago, Nguyen Huu Hung was one of the national valedictorians of block C00 (literature - history - geography). He recently officially graduated as valedictorian of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Ho Chi Minh City National University) with an excellent score of 9.2/10 in literature.

Valedictorian of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Ho Chi Minh City National University) 2024 Nguyen Huu Hung - Photo: NVCC

Achievements are just a recognition of each stage in the journey, not a reflection of who you are or how great you are. For me, I use as much capacity as I have.

NGUYEN HUU HUNG

Hung is one of the few double valedictorians honored by Ho Chi Minh City at the 2024 Valedictorian Honors program on the evening of December 6. The Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union and the Ho Chi Minh City Vietnamese Student Association will honor 88 valedictorians, including 43 admitted valedictorians and 45 graduating valedictorians from schools in the city this year.

The valedictorian was awarded a prize by his grandmother to get second place.

* You say you don't study hard, but you always get the top score. What motivates you to do that?

- When I transferred from junior high school to high school, I was still confused, so my grades were not high. It was not until the end of the first semester that my average score rose to the top of the grade. This gave me a goal to strive for and try to study all subjects comprehensively.

In grade 12, I also felt a bit of pressure because my friends and teachers still remembered me for having the highest score in my grade every year. In addition, I participated in and won prizes in provincial competitions for excellent students. I set myself the goal of achieving good results in the graduation exam and entering university. The goal I set for myself was small, like I strived to become the valedictorian of the province, but I never expected to be the valedictorian of the whole country in the C00 exam that year. Or I also set myself the goal of trying to become the valedictorian of my major when I graduated from university, because I honestly didn't think I could become the valedictorian of the whole school, so I was a bit surprised by this result.

* There are surprises, but surely you are impressed with what you have achieved?

- With what has just happened, I think it is mainly my mindset. I think that if something is big, it will be big. When I was first at the top of the score charts, I also thought I was great. But thinking back, I see that I am still the same, my life is still the same, I study and grow up like any other student.

I try hard to study not only to accumulate knowledge, but also my mindset and attitude towards life's problems. I am very afraid of feeling stopped and stagnant. I always try to move forward, I set a goal and try to pursue it, the result is the end point of the whole journey.

Sow seeds instead of forcing children

* I heard you chose to become a literature teacher, how did this lead to you?

- I have been interested in language and literature since elementary school. In fourth grade, while most of my friends could not write long essays, I was able to write two pages in beautiful handwriting. Suddenly I became a bright spot, a kind of "strange phenomenon" in the class.

That strength helped me start pursuing literature, and fortunately, teachers guided and nurtured my passion. Later, when I went to university, the school's liberal education philosophy inspired me a lot. I wanted to apply this philosophy to my teaching methods when I became a literature teacher.

* How can you imagine a Gen Z literature teacher?

- One of the traditional educational concepts is that teachers expect students to answer every sentence, every word correctly. My students asked if it would be acceptable to write the same idea but express it differently. I said yes, but they seemed very surprised.

I want to respect all students' opinions and thoughts. If there is anything inappropriate, I will adjust.

When reading enough, you will see that each answer has its own reasonableness and unreasonableness. Therefore, the teacher's task is to observe and be tolerant to guide students in the right spirit of the lesson, but not to force them to make them unhappy and themselves uncomfortable.

Nguyen Huu Hung

I am not the type of person who has to study hard. I take exams to know my abilities, and I always want to balance studying, playing with friends and family. My family also does not want me to focus on studying and lose balance in life, or affect my health. My grandmother once said she would reward me if I got second place instead of first place.

* Are there any challenges in teaching literature in this era of technology and rapid development? - I feel that the ability to perceive of children and many adults is weakening. Social media platforms encourage quick and hasty consumption of information, which has a certain impact. I do not expect students to memorize and grasp the spirit of literary works like the previous generation learned. This can be difficult for teachers and difficult for students. I choose to focus on evoking images and messages related to the lesson, like planting a seed so that the image will grow in children's minds and help them remember longer.

Friends meet not talk about success

Sharing his perspective, Hung said that many young people today are under pressure to always strive to move forward so as not to be left behind. Despite widespread connections, social networks cannot reach deep into the hearts of each person so that they can express their difficulties and obstacles, making it easier for them to be pressured by the beautiful images that many people post.

Nguyen Huu Hung was honored as "5 Good Students" at Ho Chi Minh City National University - Photo: NVCC

Each of us cannot live apart from the community, whether it is a large community like society or a smaller community like a circle of friends, family, or teachers. By turning to people, we can listen and help each other. So for Hung, each small, intimate connection is much more meaningful than a widespread, superficial connection. "Friends accompany each other through daily stories, not just meeting to talk about results and achievements. Being able to tell each other happy stories or not hiding sadness in their hearts is the meaning of a relationship. When we sit down and give each other sincere attention, life will become much easier and more comfortable," the Gen Z friend confided.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/thu-khoa-dau-ra-truong-dh-khxhnv-tp-hcm-tung-duoc-ba-treo-thuong-neu-chi-dat-giai-nhi-2024120522133063.htm