Have you ever seen videos or photos of students in China, Korea, or Japan studying? They sit neatly, books open on their desks, and the atmosphere is so calm. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to grow up in such a learning environment.
FYI, there is something interesting about the way they study. It's not just about discipline, but also the enthusiasm and pressure they face every day.
In China, for example, the world of education is like a small battlefield. Everything revolves around a national exam called Gaokao. According to the China Daily website accessed on 5 October 2025, more than 13 million students took the Gaokao in 2025. This exam is considered the main gateway to a successful future. Just imagine, the results of this exam can determine which university they will attend, and even their future career path. Because of this, many students study from morning to night, often taking extra classes at Bǔxíbān to increase their chances. Their learning methods are intense and repetitive; they review, memorise, and continue to practise until they are perfect.
Meanwhile, in South Korea, the spirit of learning is no less intense. They have a university entrance exam called Suneung, an exam that can determine almost the entire direction of a person's life. The day of the Suneung exam even makes Korea seem to pause for a moment. Many students study at hagwon, tutoring centres that are open until late at night. Their lives move at a fast pace, known as the "ppali-ppali" culture, which means everything is fast and efficient. But behind the scenes, social pressure is also high because everyone wants to succeed, and the competition is incredibly fierce. Fortunately, Korea is also famous for its technological advances; many students use learning applications and e-learning to help them survive the intense education system.
In Japan, the atmosphere is slightly different. Discipline is still key, but they also balance it with moral values and cooperation. In Japanese schools, students not only learn academics, but are also taught social responsibility through club activities and group study. There is a term, shūdan ishiki, which means group consciousness. Students are taught not to stand out on their own, but to contribute for the common good. Many of them also attend juku, a kind of extra tutoring, but still try to maintain a balance between studying, playing, and interacting. Interestingly, education in Japan emphasises not only intelligence, but also character and ethics.
From this, I realised that learning is not just about sitting in front of a book and doing exercises. Behind the learning styles of Chinese, Korean and Japanese students, there is a spirit, pressure and values that shape them into resilient individuals. They study not only to pass, but to survive, thrive, and honour the expectations of those around them.
We also need to start seeing learning as a meaningful process, not just an obligation, but as a way to get to know ourselves, build a future, and make a real contribution. Maybe we don't have to study 14 hours a day, but we can study with sincere intentions, clear goals, and consistent enthusiasm.
References:
China Daily. (2025, June 11). Make the road ahead smoother for those who clear gaokao.
Metropolis Japan. (2021, April 1). Forming the ‘Perfect Citizen’.
World Economic Forum. (2018, November 15). Why South Korea falls silent once a year for its students.
No comments:
Post a Comment