The inspiring story of a university sanitation worker and mother-of-two who made the most of every spare minute to study and earn a place in graduate school has touched the hearts of people across China, leaving many impressed by how she juggled the challenges of her busy daily life and the demands of motherhood in her quest for self-improvement.
At 06:00 each morning, when the campus is still wrapped in silence, 33-year-old Li Jia slips into her work clothes and begins her rounds at the Chengdu University of Technology in southwest China's Sichuan Province.
Li initially took this cleaning job for its stable hours which allowed her to care for her young family, but after immersing herself in the campus atmosphere for more than four years, the idea of joining the ranks of the students here slowly began to grow in her mind.
"I heard that there are many examination centers near the east teaching buildings. A lot of the examinees are older than me -- their hair is already gray -- yet they're still working hard and making progress. Then I look at myself: my age feels a bit awkward. I'm not really young, but I'm not exactly old either. And since I'm not that old, I thought maybe I can still give it another shot," said Li.
Working full-time and raising her two children took up all her time, but last year Li finally made the decision she wanted to follow an academic path alongside her other pursuits. To do this, she had to learn to squeeze every spare moment out of her day to maximize her available study time.
"Once I made up my mind to do it, I started turning my hobbies into study time. For example, I love listening to music. Now I use the time to listen to recorded lectures and prep for the exam," she said.
Li had majored in business English at a junior college and though she had been out of school for more than a decade, she was still able to revive some of her old language skills. However, the new academic field she set her sights on in the university's law school was entirely foreign to her. Nonetheless, she remained determined to push herself to achieve her goal.
"Sometimes, people just need that kind of drive. If you feel you have to do something, and it's the right thing to do, and the direction is right, then just do it. Don't give yourself so many worries. Human potential is truly enormous; you don't know how much potential you have until you face that situation," she said.
In April this year, the notification of her preliminary admission into the law school of the Chengdu University of Technology was confirmed, marking the perfect end to nearly a year of tireless preparation.
For Li, one of the most important reasons for putting herself through this arduous process was to set an example for her children. She would often sit down next to her two youngsters at the kitchen table in the evenings, studying alongside them while they completed their homework.
"When I'm reading, my children sometimes ask, 'Mom, you're so old, why are you still reading?' I say, 'Because you see that even at my age, I haven't given up learning. Now is the time for you to learn, and it's better for mom to learn with you. We can grow together'," she said.
An exciting new chapter now awaits for Li, who will resign from her sanitation job to devote herself fully to her studies when the new semester starts in September.
From clutching her broom to now carrying books, and from cleaning the streets on the campus grounds to now taking her hard-earned place inside the lecture theaters, Li's year of perseverance has led to a significant transformation in her life. She encouraged anyone who also harbors any hopes or dreams to give their all in order to make them a reality.
"I make a living by working 8 hours a day, but I also seek to develop myself outside of those hours. None of us should ever give up on pursuing a better version of ourselves. I think people with dreams are extraordinary, and those who work hard to make their dreams blossom are even more remarkable. Therefore, never give up on your dreams, and never forget the path you have taken in order to pursue them," she said.
Inspiring story of campus cleaner, mother-of-two who earns university place after year of self-study
