Editor’s note:

Today, Nankai University’s WeChat official account published an interview article titled “Offers from Top Schools, Nankai’s Top Students’ English ‘Pillow Talk’ ”. It features four outstanding graduates from the School of Finance who have developed a deep friendship akin to that of sisters. They have helped each other throughout the four years and are best partners for each other in regards of studying and living. Two of them have been admitted to Nankai University and Renmin University of China, one has been accepted to Peking University for further studies, and one is pursuing graduate studies at the University of Cambridge.

Let’s get to know these four “sisters” and their stories in the Humanities Dormitory 1B-601 on the Tianjin Nan Campus. 

1. Personal Tags: Musical and Dance Talents, Cheerful and Independent

Xu Ye, a 2020 undergraduate student majoring in Finance, graduated from Chongqing Nankai High School. She has received the Nankai University “Public Interests, All-round Ability” Scholarship and the Nankai University Rope Skipping Cup Championship, participated in student work at the Nankai University Youth League Committee New Media Center and Finance School Youth League Committee, and has engaged in teaching support in Bayannaoer, Inner Mongolia. She is now pursuing a master’s degree at the School of Finance, Renmin University of China.

2. Personal Tags: Optimistic and Determined, Passionate and Lively

Zhang Tiantian, a 2020 undergraduate student majoring in Finance, graduated from Kangjie High School in Shanxi Province. She has received the Nankai University Innovation Scholarship and Academic Excellence Scholarship, participated in the MIT Blended Learning Overseas Exchange Program, and has been involved in student work at the Nankai University Youth League Committee Organization Department and Finance School Youth League Committee. She also engaged in teaching support in Bayannaoer, Inner Mongolia. She has received a master’s degree in Economics at the University of Cambridge.

3. Personal Tags: Confident and Graceful, Detail-Oriented and Resilient

Huang Yijia, a 2020 undergraduate student majoring in Finance, graduated from Tianjin Nankai High School. She has won awards in the Tianjin University Mathematics Competition, American College Mathematics Modeling Competition, Nankai University Industry Research Competition, and National College Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program, and is now preparing for graduate studies at Peking University HSBC Business School.

4. Personal Tags: Scholarly and Elegant

Shi Yutian, a 2020 undergraduate student majoring in Investment, graduated from Zhengzhou No. 1 High School in Henan Province. She has received a second-class award in the National College Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program, served as the head of the Activity Department of the New Great Wall Nankai University Self-improvement Association, accumulated nearly 200 hours of social practice, and engaged in teaching support in Gaowei Primary School, Qingyang City, Gansu Province. She is now preparing for further studies at the School of Finance, Nankai University.

(1) The Warmth of Friendship and Support

In September 2020, four girls from Chongqing, Tianjin, Henan, and Shanxi arrived at Nankai University with dreams in their hearts and moved into Dormitory 1B-601 on the Jinnan Campus, where they formed a deep bond.

Although they come from different cities with varying habits and interests, Huang Yijia smiles warmly as she recalls the relationship in the dormitory, “Despite our differences, we have never had disputes. We support and care for each other like real sisters.”

The four years of university have passed quickly, yet the deep affection among the roommates has filled Dormitory 601 with warmth and extended throughout the Nankai campus.

Shi Yutian’s 19th birthday brought the four friends even closer. “My birthday was shortly after the start of our freshman year, and though we were still getting to know each other, they secretly prepared a birthday cake and card for me, making it an unforgettable 19th birthday,” Shi Yutian reminisced with a smile.

Over the years, regardless of whose birthday it was, the four “sisters” made sure to come together to celebrate, offering each other blessings and hopes for the future. Even in their third year, when some were interning in other cities, they would return to Tianjin to celebrate each other’s birthdays.

(2) Support and Mutual Growth

They are not only “sisters” but also “teachers” to each other. The harmonious relationship among the roommates is rooted in mutual understanding and tolerance. For example, at the start of their freshman year, they began to adapt to each other’s living habits. Xu Ye said, “Jiajia (Huang Yijia) usually goes to bed by around 11 p.m., but Xiaotian (Zhang Tiantian) and I are ‘night owls.’ If we still have things to finish after 11 p.m., we would go to the balcony or common area to complete them.”

They are like “sisters” to each other, taking care of one another without any sense of division. Zhang Tiantian mentioned, “In our dormitory, whoever sees trash at the door takes it out. If the floor is dirty, we take the initiative to clean it. No one keeps track of who did more; everyone is willing to quietly contribute and is grateful for each other’s efforts.”

They also support each other academically, complementing each other's strengths and weaknesses to improve together. Xu Ye excels in English, Zhang Tiantian and Huang Yijia are proficient in mathematics, and Shi Yutian is skilled in ideological and political education. They share study materials and review notes, discuss problems they encounter in their studies, and even supervise each other during finals.

When a roommate has an English-related exam, they hold an English conversation for more than half an hour each night before bed. Their nightly English “pillow talk” covers a wide range of topics, from academic and daily life to entertainment gossip, which helps them prepare for exams and significantly improves their English proficiency.

(3) Cherished Memories and Future Aspirations

During the summer vacation of their sophomore year, the four “sisters” traveled to Xu Ye’s hometown of Chongqing, visiting popular spots like Ciqikou and Hongya Cave, and even toured Xu Ye’s high school, Chongqing Nankai High School. Huang Yijia fondly recalled, “Visiting my good friend’s hometown and her high school felt like walking the path she once did.” 

The “sisters” also visited each other’s hometowns and homes, treating each other’s parents as their own family. Huang Yijia shared, “We frequently mention ‘our parents’ and always greet each other’s parents during video calls. Our parents are very familiar with each of us.” 

Over the past four years, they have spent countless nights chatting, understanding each other’s different life experiences, values, and aspirations. They have always supported one another, sharing genuine thoughts and advice. 

In their junior year, when Xu Ye wanted to explore opportunities outside traditional finance and venture into the internet sector, Zhang Tiantian helped her find her first internship. Despite the distance and Xu Ye’s initial concerns about interning in Hangzhou, Zhang Tiantian encouraged her to take the chance. 

When Huang Yijia was anxious about finding an internship due to a lack of responses, Xu Ye proactively helped gather internship information and encouraged her to keep applying. Last year, when Zhang Tiantian faced setbacks in her study abroad applications, Xu Ye and Huang Yijia provided comfort and motivation, helping her regain confidence.

(4) Strive Forward With Support And Look Ahead the Future

The four gentle and meticulous girls have supported each other through numerous challenges, always working together to solve problems. Huang Yijia said, “We are always each other’s safe harbor, sharing joy and bearing worries together. We are each other's best listeners.”

Xu Ye added, “My roommates are my family in Tianjin and my source of strength.”

As they approach graduation, the four will head to different schools and new horizons. Huang Yijia reflected, “We remember attending classes together, studying intensively, and strolling around campus. Meeting and getting to know each other in this vast world is a great fortune for us.”

Zhang Tiantian remarked, “We have matured and become more confident since freshman year, and we’re grateful for the encouragement that helped us become better versions of ourselves.”

Shi Yutian expressed, “I’m very thankful to have met such excellent and wonderful people. May our return and departure always reflect the same initial brilliance.”

Xu Ye concluded, “Even if the future paths take us thousands of miles apart, I will still be encouraged by the warmth they have given me.”

This “treasure” of a dormitory embodies the beauty of youth. As dreamers, they continue to strive forward with each other’s support, and their future promises even more brilliance.