Yanyuan, Fourth Courtyard (Writing Plan)

3,523 characters2007.07.16

In the blink of an eye, it has already become the third and final summer of my undergraduate years; in conversation, I have truly become an “oldster.”

I am still welcoming junior students in the Weilai Beida Ren community, and this is probably the last year I will serve as a moderator there. Once I go on to graduate school, even if I still have the enthusiasm to wander around the Weilai Beida Ren community, I’m afraid I will no longer be a moderator.

Although every incoming class of freshmen tends to disappoint me, overall I still very much enjoy communicating with freshmen, and I enjoy answering the questions they ask—questions that may disappoint me (for example, coming right out and asking about changing majors or even employment). Perhaps it is because I like the feeling of being an elder? Perhaps it is because I like the innocence and ignorance of freshmen? Or perhaps I simply like more “hope”? In any case, I have already gained a great deal in the Weilai Beida Ren community; I hope the meritorious work will be brought to a perfect conclusion.

I heard that ZW and the others are making a freshman handbook—having inherited the “unfulfilled wish” from HaHa shixiong. Back then, at HaHa shixiong’s call, I once wrote a long essay “For Philosophy Freshmen,” but in the end the plan for the freshman handbook was shelved. Yet even if it had not been shelved, that piece of mine—fetid, overlong, and off-topic sermonizing—probably would still have had nowhere to be used. This time, the students making the handbook do not seem to have asked me for a contribution or invited me to take part; perhaps they already expect the kind of incessant, interminable prose I would come up with. In fact, I do know my own limitations: I really ought not to take part in this sort of collective work, unless I am serving as a critical advisor. Otherwise, I would still rather work alone.

Although I do not really reject what I wrote two years ago in “For Philosophy Freshmen,” two more years have passed after all, and my feelings and insights are naturally rather different from what they were then; it is time to write something new.

I want to write about my impressions and reflections on this Yuan Garden and these four courtyards, and talk about my understanding and expectations of the philosophy department. I could also write about the problems one may encounter in course selection, class attendance, reading, and daily life—these should all be covered in a freshman handbook. I could also write about my understanding of the various specializations in the philosophy department—of course with special emphasis on introducing philosophy of science and technology; I could also write about my personal views on double majors, changing majors, employment, guaranteed graduate admission, and so on; finally, I could also write about my own experiences and reflections on studying, living, buying books, shopping, eating, entertainment, and all sorts of trivial matters at Peking University… In short, there are too many things I want to write; I’m afraid that unless I put together a little booklet by myself, I won’t be satisfied.

Articles in this vein, together with some previously written related texts, will be placed under the “Yanyuan—Four Courtyards” folder. This writing plan begins this summer and may continue through the next summer.

Where should I begin…?

July 16, 2007