As a teacher, I don’t know how many times I have said goodbye to my students when they graduate. It seems there’s nothing special. Students come and go every year. However, there’s always something that gives me a deep impression and therefore is worth keeping in my memory.

Last year I was assigned to teach the Senior 3 students, which came as a surprise. I was teaching Senior one at that time, and it was not a common practice for me to skip to the graduating classes. Time flies, especially the last year of senior high. Before we knew it, before I was able to call them by name correctly, one year had slipped away. Now is the time for us to say goodbye. 

Recently I attended 2 farewell dinner parties. Surprisingly, they called it “disbanding dinner” in Chinese. I was a little amused and experienced an indefinable loss somehow. It was a bit negative. Graduation not only means saying goodbye but moving on as well. Yes we are leaving, and we have to, whether we like it or not. However, wherever we go, whether to enter a university or step into society, graduation is a time of advance. Beyond this is just another beginning. 

At the dinner party, they all seemed to grow up overnight. Many of them came to drink a toast to us teachers and expressed their gratitude for what we have done for them. They joked about and even teased each other. Several “secret” lovers were ruthlessly uncovered and forced to drink from a cup being held by their crossed arms, which is a symbol of love. Many others also had to confess his/her dream girl or boy. In the “last words” session, quite a few of them shed tears. We usually don’t realize the value of what we have until we know that we shall lose it. Only then did they feel so attached to the campus, where they had spent 3 years, 3 years of hard work. They left footprints, laughter, tears and various memories here. How can they forget the scenes when they fought together in the sports meet? How can they forget the evenings when they worked diligently in the classroom? Even the quarrels and the cold wars between desk mates have become nice memories.

One year can not be considered as a long time, but it can be an indispensible part of our life. How many days and nights were we together trying to realize our common dreams? How many times did we share joy as well as sadness at challenging moments?

Goodbye, my dear students! Life gives us tears, smiles and memories. The tears dry, the smiles fade, but the nice memories will last for ever.

Goodbye, my dear boys and girls! Lying ahead of you is your bright future. Let’s believe in ourselves and believe in the future. As long as we have dreams in our hearts, anything is possible.

Goodbye, my dear friends! Life can be tough, but that’s what life is all about. Without hardships, life could be dull. On the other hand, whether you are happy or not all depends on how you look at things. No one is in charge of your life or happiness but you, you yourself.

Goodbye, my dear students! Please walk well on the road of life. Remember you’re always welcome at this school. And we are looking forward to hearing your good news.

Special thanks go to Ling Jiameng and Lu Qingyi, who acted as my teaching assistants.