Recently, Zhang Xuefeng, a high-profile graduate school entrance examination teacher, successfully predicted the decline in the number of graduate students in 2024, which has attracted widespread attention. According to official sources, the number of graduate students this year has dropped by a staggering 360,000 compared with last year!This data shows a clear trend: more and more college students are re-examining their life plans and career development. So why is there such a trend?Through the analysis of the socio-economic situation, education reform and the impact of the epidemic, this article will reveal the reasons for the decline in the number of graduate students and the deep-seated changes behind it, and further explain how college students should make rational decisions to pave a brighter path for their future.
Zhang Xuefeng's ** is based on a comprehensive analysis of the current socio-economic situation and the job market. He believes that with the steady development of the country's economy and the optimization and adjustment of the job market, college students' desire for postgraduate entrance examination is not as urgent as before. This view is widely recognized, because with the rapid development of China's economy, the job market is becoming more and more active, and the demand for various types of professionals is also increasing. Correspondingly, college students are less dependent on graduate school entrance examinations and are more inclined to go directly into society to gain practical work experience and improve their skills.
However, it is not enough to rely solely on the economic situation to explain the reasons for the decline in the number of graduate students. The advancement of education reform has also had a profound impact on the number of graduate students. In recent years, China's education sector has actively promoted quality education and diversified development, and encouraged the all-round development of students. The implementation of this policy has prompted college students to choose more diversification after graduation and no longer regard postgraduate entrance examination as the only way out. In addition, the outbreak of the epidemic has also had a certain impact on the number of graduate students. In 2023, the global outbreak of the new crown epidemic has had a huge impact on many industries, including the education sector. The escalation of epidemic prevention and control measures has affected the preparation plan for the postgraduate entrance examination, and some students may have given up the opportunity to take the postgraduate examination.
1. Changes in the socio-economic situation
With the rapid development of China's economy, the job market is becoming more and more active, and the demand for all kinds of professionals is increasing. This has led to a growing number of university students realising that gaining practical work experience and upskilling may be even more important. They began to choose their future path more rationally, instead of blindly following the trend to pursue graduate school entrance examinations.
In addition, with the progress and development of society, the quality of university education has also been continuously improved. More and more colleges and universities have invested in the cultivation of innovative talents, and have cultivated a large number of graduates with practical ability and innovation ability. The competitive advantage of these graduates in the job market is becoming more and more obvious, making some students feel that direct employment is also a good option.
2. The promotion of education reform
The education sector actively promotes quality education and diversified development, and encourages the all-round development of students. The implementation of this policy allows college students to have more choices after graduation and no longer regard graduate school entrance examination as the only way out. They begin to pay more attention to their hobbies, career development plans, and personal improvements. In this context, many students will choose direct employment or other forms of further study, rather than taking the postgraduate entrance examination as a necessary path.
3. The impact of the epidemic
In 2023, the global outbreak of the new crown epidemic has had a huge impact on many industries, and the education sector is no exception. The continuous strengthening of epidemic prevention and control measures has affected the preparation plan for the postgraduate entrance examination. Graduate school entrance examination requires a lot of time and energy investment, including attending training courses, preparing library materials, learning Xi in the library, and so on. During the pandemic, these preparatory activities have been restricted, and some students may have given up the opportunity to go to graduate school.
For college students who are about to graduate, whether they choose to go to graduate school or directly work, they need to make rational decisions according to their actual situation. When choosing to take the postgraduate entrance examination, you should weigh your interests, abilities and development prospects, and avoid blindly following the trend. When choosing direct employment, it is also important to be clear about your career goals and continue to improve your skills and abilities to lay a solid foundation for career development.
Whether you choose to go to graduate school or go directly to employment, the key is to find your interests and strengths, and realize your self-worth in continuous learning and Xi growth. College students should actively participate in social practice and innovation and entrepreneurship activities, and cultivate practical ability and innovation awareness. At the same time, we must maintain a positive attitude and an attitude of continuous learning and Xi, constantly adapt to social changes, and constantly improve our knowledge structure and skill system.
In short, it is not nonsense that Zhang Xuefeng successfully predicted that the number of graduate students will drop by 360,000 in 2024. Changes in the socio-economic situation, the advancement of educational reforms, and the impact of the pandemic are all contributing to this phenomenon. At the same time, everyone has their own choices and development paths, whether they choose to go to graduate school or direct employment, they need to make rational decisions according to their actual situation. There is still a long way to go, and I hope that college students can stick to their dreams, bravely pursue their goals, and realize their self-worth.