With the same dream and the same desire, we have come together from every part of the country and from many different areas. Facing innumerable¹ strange faces, I realized that I’ve been a college student, a student who just started in society and a big child who should have known how to take care of himself.

The first two days

The college had us do our military training for the first two weeks. In fact, I have done military training several times; each time leaves a wonderful memory. Although we just have had two days of the military training till now, it is a time to be real.

It was raining for two days. Sometimes I even felt proud when the rain ran down my cheeks. Maybe it was a sense of achievement that growth has given to me. Because we were wet all over, our company commander let us sing Sailor, a song sung several hundred times before. However, given the special situation, the song seems so good for it and makes us think. Yes, the song delivers a kind of spirit, a state of mind, a kind of courage unafraid of work or getting work. The company commander teaches us again and again. Do they only teach us these simple acts? No! They are teaching us a way of being a man and an attitude of doing things. That’s what we lack. We should seize the uncommon² chance and forge³ ourselves to be a useful man, a firm and persistent⁴ man!

The sunshine always comes after the storm and is waiting for us. We are expecting sunshine as well. The sun will shine again after rain.

Be browned, but healthier

“We have to get up at around 5 o’clock, suffering from not enough sleep. The training is so intense, which gave me a bad appetite. But then, I’m much healthier. You can see from my face…” A younger school sister said with a forced smile. Yeah, her face is browned by the sun, and seems thinner than before. The ten days training is really practical. Though it is the last day of the military training, you cannot see any tiredness from the smiling faces in the training field; they seem ready and happy…”

Drill, just this word

In the burning sun, we repeated the simple and boring “At ease” and “Attention”; in the cool rain of morning, we practiced March, Double time march and shouted loud and clear slogans; in the blowing sand, we drilled each motion of corps⁵ fist time after time… The ten days military training could be described as suffering. Besides, none of our drillmasters still has a good voice now. It’s really uncomfortable to be trained in the Assembly ground, the flaming sun shining on the ground and you couldn’t see any shady⁶ or a cool place. Moreover, the purpose of military training is to not only be trained like a soldier, but also to learn to be patient, insistent⁷, share happiness and pain and change to any environment. A freshman⁸ said, “What’s military training? Drill, just this word!”

Drillmasters also crazy

Encouraged by the drillmasters, the students have become crazy to “Sing a song, sing a song!” Thereupon, Qinghai-Tibet Platean (Qingzang Gaoyuan) flew over here, Beautiful Grassland⁹ won a burst of applause¹⁰ there. “Zhou Jielun” has just been finished, “Cousin Lin” was heard… All kinds of flavor, both classical and popular at the same time. The ground was full of songs and laughter. As one stops, another starts. It’s really lovely and busy! The drillmasters also became crazy with the students instead of seriousness as usual. They acted in command for a while, then became a guest compere… The students wouldn’t let their drillmaster go at this moment. “Drill master, sing a song! Sing a song!” With that, the drillmaster showed off his skill and won a loud applause.

Go by the reviewing stand

With full spirit, orderly march, and confident smile on their faces, tens of S-bands went by the reviewing stand, shouting loud and clear slogans. The leaders and teachers of the college sent them an ardent¹¹ look and they also received a burst of applause. A parent of a freshman from Jiangsu, seeing his child going by with orderly march from the platform, said happily, “I can set my heart at rest and go home tomorrow. It’s the first time our son leaves home, I wasn’t sure that he would change with college life. But from his performance today I know he progressed a lot. The drillmasters paid great effort and the children also did. I’m assured now!”

Time to say goodbye

Although the students often complained during the training, they didn’t like to say goodbye to each other when it was time to say goodbye to the military training and their beloved drillmasters. “I really don’t want to go! We will truly start our college life tomorrow. That is a happy thing. I must take a photo with my drillmaster to remember the experience.” So the younger school-brothers and school-sisters began looking for the drillmasters.

Military training is such an unforgettable experience; it’s a memory worthy¹² of treasuring for ever.

Going through the military training, we learned to be quiet, to think, to be calm and peaceful. We don’t want to dream of what will come tomorrow. The important thing is to live each day well. So I am looking for a new sun. I believe the future scenery must be beautiful.