Many students habitually plan their vacations. A recent survey by China Youth Daily's Social Survey Center, conducted via Questionnaire.com among 1,515 students, revealed that 74.3% of respondents believe vacation planning is necessary. Over half felt that time spent on self-improvement and relaxation should be balanced during breaks.
74.3% of surveyed students believe holiday planning is necessary
In the survey, 74.3% of respondents deemed holiday planning essential, 23.0% felt it was somewhat necessary, while only 2.7% considered it unnecessary.
Senior high graduate Zhao Haoran finds holiday planning essential, as it helps her better manage the pace of her break and maximize her time.
Wen Zihan, a second-year junior high student in Urumqi, believes the greatest benefit of planning is gaining structure. Achieving goals brings a sense of accomplishment and provides positive motivation.
Though rarely fully accomplished, third-year university student Huang Meiqi still finds planning useful. It provides clarity about what needs to be done and what skills are lacking, eliminating the need to compare oneself to others. Maintaining a balanced mindset reduces anxiety.
Luo Lijian, a third-year female student preparing for graduate school entrance exams, believes execution is more crucial than planning itself. Many of her plans remain unrealized primarily due to insufficient follow-through.
Over half of respondents believe self-improvement and relaxation should be equally balanced during breaks.
In the survey, 62.1% of students cited personal interests as their primary motivation for self-improvement during breaks, while 56.3% attributed it to academic pressure. 54.1% mentioned future goals, and 31.6% cited family expectations.
Zhao Haoran feels that facing the upcoming university life, the thought of potentially encountering more outstanding peers, along with her own ideals and life plans, fuels her motivation to strive for various unknown challenges. However, this doesn't mean neglecting proper rest during the break—a balance between work and leisure is essential.
As a second-year middle school student, Wen Zihan continues to work diligently during the break to gain admission to her desired high school through the entrance exam.
Regarding the balance between relaxation and self-improvement during the holiday, 52.4% of respondents believe both should be equally prioritized, 22.3% favor relaxation over improvement, and 17.7% prioritize improvement over relaxation.
Zeng Yichen, currently a junior in college, believes the choice between relaxation and self-improvement depends on one's stage in life. In the past, she would have prioritized rest during breaks. But now, as she approaches her senior year with aspirations for graduate school admission, self-improvement naturally takes precedence. "The next summer break won't come until after grad school," Zeng Yichen jokes, noting this is her strongest motivation to keep striving.
Wen Zihan, however, believes self-improvement clearly outweighs relaxation for her right now. With heavy coursework during the semester leaving little time for books she wants to read, the break provides a perfect opportunity to catch up on knowledge.
For third-year student Liu Kexin, self-improvement and leisure are equally important. The end-of-semester period brings immense pressure, so she typically takes time to enjoy herself after the term ends before focusing on self-development. In her view, knowing how to study and knowing how to rest are equally vital—a balance between tension and relaxation is the true path to success. (China Youth Daily)