BEIJING, Beijing, August 23 (Reporter Zhang Ni) Recently, a prospective college student in Zhejiang suspected that the monthly living expenses were less than 1,200 yuan, which caused a heated discussion. Many netizens felt that "the cost of raising a college student is too high now!"
From reporting to school with a kettle washbasin on his back in 1980s, to now, mobile phones, laptops and iPad have become the standard for freshmen. In the past few decades, the "entrance equipment" of college students in China has undergone earth-shaking changes, and the improvement of material conditions has witnessed the development and changes of the times. However, the increasingly obvious trend of comparison in university campuses has also caused people to think.
Data Map: In September 2016, freshmen of Shanxi University reported with their parents. China News Service reporter Wei Liang photo
Entered school in 1989
— — Necessary is your own lunch box.
In 1989, Yang Jinsong, a young man from Guiyang, was admitted to Northwest Institute of Light Industry (now Shaanxi University of Science and Technology) and went abroad to study.
Recalling his college days, he said with a smile: "Life at that time was extremely simple, and the necessary thing for admission was his own lunch box, because there was no public tableware in the canteen."
Yang Jinsong told reporters that in those days, his living expenses were provided by his family, and he sent them to 80 yuan at home for one month, mainly for eating, and a small amount was used to buy books, daily necessities, etc. Basically, there was no off-campus entertainment expenses.
"In memory, at that time, everyone was very frugal. In addition to learning utensils, they were unable to purchase other items. A few families with good conditions have walkmen or guitars. " Yang Jinsong said.
During college, Yang Jinsong and his classmates played poker as a pastime, which basically cost nothing. He and his classmates occasionally traveled around together, which was also a poor tour. There were few cameras and basically no commemorative photos.
"It was not popular to go out to eat in those days, because there was no money, and everyone was honestly eating the canteen. Most students usually eat 4 cents of food when they are cooking, and they dare to eat meat once a week with a little diced meat, and a piece of sauce beef costs 8 cents! "
In terms of learning, in those days, tapes and books were very precious to Yang Jinsong and his classmates. Everyone would cherish them and listen and read them seriously.
"Silly, but very real, life is very thick, and I still feel nostalgic after the aftertaste." In Yang Jinsong’s view, the biggest difference between the life of college students now and before is that the material conditions have been greatly improved, and children have little sense of thrift and early self-reliance.
"In our time, we basically had to stand on our own feet immediately after graduation and no longer spend money at home. In addition to the basic living expenses, you rarely get extra money for entertainment and other consumption. Every time you go home on holiday, you have to buy a hard seat ticket, which takes 30 hours. " Yang Jinsong said that hard-working exercise is particularly beneficial.
Entered school in 1998
— — The communication tool is a BP machine
In 1998, Li Min (pseudonym) entered a university in Zhejiang to study business administration. As a college student in the 1990s, Li Min’s college life was much more comfortable at that time. As far as she can remember, the monthly living expenses were about 800 yuan, which were mainly used for eating and dressing, and the entertainment items were very limited.
"We reported to school with our daily necessities at that time, and there was nothing else." Li Min recalled that at that time, mobile phones were not popular, and there were no electronic devices. After he went to college, he bought a BP machine as a communication tool. At that time, learning English was also listening to tapes, so it would be nice to have a repeater or Walkman.
In the late 1990s, computers were not popular in colleges and universities, and online games and social software were not popular in schools. Li Min said that at that time, he was more focused on his studies, didn’t go out to play much, and spent most of his time studying.
"At that time, among the living expenses given by my parents, I had to find a way to save some for buying study materials and for some exams." She recalled that in college, students’ living expenses were basically provided by their families. Few people worked part-time to earn money, and there were few opportunities, and everyone didn’t have that consciousness.
In Li Min’s view, the comparison atmosphere in the school was not obvious. Students didn’t rush to pursue something, and life was simple.
Entered school in 2003
— — 10 yuan money can be eaten well in the canteen every day.
In 2003, Li Honghan entered Zhengzhou University to study. Recalling the scene of going to college more than ten years ago, he told reporters that many students around him were still relatively poor.
"Eating in the canteen is also very cheap. You can eat well for less than 10 yuan a day, plus the extra expenses of buying daily necessities. At that time, the living expenses of four or five hundred yuan a month will be enough." Li Honghan said that when he was at school, he could still receive a state subsidy of 50 to 60 yuan every month. In those days, the money was not too small, and he was very happy every time he handed it out.
"When I first went to college, mobile phones were not fully popular, and there were no smart phones. I remember that my first mobile phone was bought in 2007, and it was a Nokia bar phone." Li Honghan recalled that when he first entered school, everyone bought calling cards and contacted family and friends by telephone. The monthly communication expenses were not much.
"At that time, there was very little human expenditure, because everyone was a poor student. I felt very happy to have a meal together in the canteen. I didn’t say that I would go out every day. You invited me to invite you. Although I was poor, I was also very happy. This is our true life portrayal at that time." Li Honghan said.
When he was in college, Li Honghan’s first extra income was the money he earned as a tutor in his senior year. He was good at writing, and since then he has contributed to many newspapers and magazines, earning remuneration for his contribution. Although his income seems to be not much now, it was enough to make him feel excited and happy as a student at that time.
"I have been educated since childhood to be sensible and obedient as much as possible, and not to add too much burden to my parents, so I have always lived within my means and will not reach out to my parents in pursuit of some material enjoyment." Li Honghan said.
Admission in 2014
— — College students use Apple mobile phones.
Wang Jiazhen, born in 1996, entered the journalism major of Suzhou University three years ago. As a "post-95" college student, the living and learning conditions of Wang Jiazhen and his classmates have changed greatly.
At the beginning of her freshman year, Wang Jiazhen’s parents bought her a mobile phone and a computer, which are common among her classmates at present.
Wang Jiazhen said that his monthly living expenses are about 1,500 to 2,000 yuan, which is the average level in the class. "Eating accounts for the most of these expenses, and it costs about six or seven hundred yuan a month. The rest of the expenses include transportation, telephone bills, clothes and so on."
She told reporters that in addition to the necessary expenses for food and clothing, college students nowadays also have some personal expenses. Students occasionally eat out, and many students who are in love even send gifts to each other on festivals such as Chinese Valentine’s Day and Valentine’s Day. She quipped: "Students who are not in love at this time can save a lot of money!"
In Wang Jiazhen’s view, in the past few years, I have also felt that the comparison atmosphere in the school is relatively heavy. Everyone likes to compare the quality of mobile phones and cosmetics, and many people have used Apple phones.
"In fact, I think this should be based on personal needs. Not everything is the most expensive, so it is best. You can choose something better if you have the conditions, but you should do what you can." Wang Jiazhen told reporters that she will also earn money through part-time jobs now, and if there is something that needs to be bought, she should talk to her parents as little as possible.
"Nowadays, there are many opportunities for college students to work outside. I have done a lot myself, including training institution teachers, moderators, recording, etc. The school will also have scholarships. It is not a small income to save one." Wang Jiazhen told reporters that in recent years, she has also gained something through her own efforts. Now she has exchanged the money she earned for a computer and an Apple mobile phone, and bought a micro-single for completing professional homework, which makes her feel very fulfilled.
