Time flies! It is already my son’s last year of university. It appears that everything happened only yesterday. Once again he has come to a crossroad of life. He will officially enter this complicated society, almost an unknown world to him. When graduating from senior high school, he basically let me select and decide which schools to apply for, though the final decision was made jointly. However, this time things seem quite different from before.

Last semester, he was one of the few students who were given the chance to be a graduate student without having to take exams. We parents took it as a golden opportunity which should never be passed. In this fast developing world, there’s no harm at all to be better equipped for life. But he decided to give it up.

Students with his major have to go through civil service exams if they want to get a job in that field. We advised him to hunt for a post in the provincial capital, where we have an apartment. However, he adamantly applied for a local position, which is less risky and probably will be easier to secure. The problem is that you can only choose one place to apply for, either in the capital city or any other local place.

Just before the Chinese New Year, he took the civil service exams in Shanghai and luckily passed with a score 25 points above the pass mark. For the interview, you have to choose from about eight work units, and only the candidates with the highest scores will be chosen to have the precious interview, which doesn’t guarantee employment. Faced with tough competition, he was hesitant at first but finally selected the one that is in Chongming Island. Frankly, I don’t think it’s a good choice. After all, it is far from the city proper and it would be inconvenient to go and visit.

Despite that, I’ll respect whatever decision he makes and will support him emotionally on the road of life. Honestly, we have different opinions on many issues. Personally I think he is a little too prudent, but at the same time I know it’s his future career we’re discussing and he has to learn to make his own decisions. Wise or not, he should be responsible for himself and will have to take the consequences of his decisions. At least he will learn something.

When having a hard decision to make, we need to listen to our heart. We must have our own judgment, no matter what the common beliefs are. What is your dearest dream? It would be worthwhile to devote time and energy to realizing your dream. There’s no easy road to success, never ever. Of course, we also have to seek a balancing point between our ideals and reality. Life is made up of various choices. Sometimes we just don’t know which is better when we come to a fork in a road. But we have to walk ahead courageously and cautiously.