With the announcement of the number of applicants for the 2024 National Graduate Examination, there were only 4.38 million applicants, a decrease of 360,000 from 4.74 million in the previous year. This is the first time since 2015 that the number of graduate students has declined, and it has attracted widespread attention. So, what is the reason for the decline in the number of graduate students?
First of all, the minds of college students have changed. In the past, many college students chose to take the postgraduate entrance examination in order to improve their academic qualifications and increase their employment competitiveness. However, even with a master's degree, it is still not easy to find your dream job. The cruelty of reality made college students see that going to graduate school could not solve all their problems, so they began to reconsider their choice. They prefer to go straight into society after graduation and accumulate through practice and work experience, rather than spending time and energy to go to graduate school.
Second, in order to attract more potential students, some colleges and universities are actively adjusting their graduate admissions policies. Some colleges and universities have increased the number of exempt students, which on the one hand increases the chances of obtaining graduate qualifications, and on the other hand, it also lowers the threshold for postgraduate examinations. These measures have affected the number of postgraduate students to a certain extent, and some candidates may feel that they no longer need to take the postgraduate examination and can enter the postgraduate stage through other routes.
In addition, the gradual decrease in the "cost performance" of postgraduate entrance examinations is also a reason. In recent years, some colleges and universities have adjusted their admissions policies for graduate students. For example, the provision of dormitories has been abolished, and the subsidies issued have been reduced. At the same time, the cost of postgraduate entrance examination is getting higher and higher, which makes many college students think that instead of spending so much time and money to go to graduate school, it is better to accumulate more experience and skills in society and improve their competitiveness.
Finally, the rise of the study abroad boom has also taken a toll on the number of graduate students. Nowadays, only having a graduate degree is no longer enough to meet the pursuit of college students, in contrast, studying abroad can "gild" their academic qualifications, so as to better cope with the fierce competition for jobs. The number of students studying abroad in China has been on the rise, and even if the number of students studying abroad has declined under special circumstances, it still cannot change this trend. As a result, more and more college students prefer to study abroad rather than graduate school.
First of all, the decrease in the number of applicants does not mean that the competition for graduate school entrance examination has cooled down. In fact, it is possible that more people than ever before will actually take the graduate school entrance examination. Last year, due to the impact of the epidemic, many candidates unfortunately missed the opportunity to take the exam, and even those who took the exam may not be in good shape. However, this year, the epidemic situation has improved, and many candidates have a year to prepare, hoping to be able to perform at their best and achieve good results. Therefore, despite the decrease in the number of applicants, candidates still need to maintain a good state of preparation and should not be taken lightly.
Secondly, candidates need to arrange their Xi time reasonably. There is only one month left before the graduate school entrance examination, and this time is very intense. Therefore, candidates need to plan their Xi plan reasonably, be clear about the subjects and contents that need to be Xi every day, and allocate their time reasonably. At the same time, it is necessary to focus on consolidating basic knowledge, especially the subjects that are weak in oneself, and can be re-Xi and consolidated by doing questions, summarizing notes, reviewing knowledge points, etc.
It is also very important to adjust your mental state. As exams approach, it is normal for candidates to feel nervous and anxious. However, mindset is a very important part of the exam, so candidates need to adjust their mindset and believe that they are well prepared to meet the challenges of the exam.
It is also necessary to maintain a good routine and rest Xi. Despite the tight schedule, candidates still need to maintain a good Xi routine and ensure adequate sleep. Only when the body is well rested can we maintain a productive state of Xi and avoid physical and mental fatigue.
In conclusion, although the decline in the number of applicants may bring some comfort to candidates, it does not mean that the competition for graduate school entrance examinations is relaxed. Candidates still need to prepare for the exam closely, arrange the Xi time reasonably, adjust their psychological state, and maintain a good work and rest Xi. Only in this way can you get good results in the exam and successfully achieve your postgraduate entrance examination goals.