Summary of the Core Message
This article discusses the relationship between the college entrance examination (Gaokao) and life, emphasizing that the Gaokao is just one of many factors in a person's life and not the decisive factor for their fate. Parents' excessive anxiety and desire for certainty can limit their children's future prospects. In an era where AI is rapidly advancing, it is more important to cultivate skills in dealing with uncertainty—such as learning, adaptability, and creativity—than focusing on test scores and academic qualifications.
Detailed Analysis
#### 1. The Gaokao is "deified" by Parents, with the Pressure Being Shifted onto Children
Many parents treat the Gaokao as a pivotal moment that determines their child's destiny. What they really care about is not the knowledge their children acquire, but the perceived value of their scores and the sense of certainty they provide. Even worse, they transfer their own fears about the future (such as worrying that their children will fall behind at the starting line) onto their children, causing them to perform poorly under pressure. The Gaokao is merely a starting point; what truly determines a person's success are skills like learning ability, emotional management, and resilience, which cannot be assessed by exams.
#### 2. Parents' Compensatory Psychology and Obsessive Control
Parents often say they are doing what is best for their children, but in reality, they are trying to fulfill their own unfulfilled dreams. They may force their children to pursue careers or educational paths that they themselves never wanted, using their children's achievements as a means of gaining social prestige. Their control stems from a fear of losing control over their children's lives and a desire for a predictable future.
#### 3. The Education Industry Sells Illusory Certainties
Educational institutions capitalize on parents' desire for certainty: they promise to improve scores, ensure admission to prestigious schools, or provide overseas degrees. However, the only thing that is certain in this world is uncertainty. Popular majors and careers today may become obsolete in the future due to technological advancements.
#### 4. The Declining Importance of the Gaokao in an AI Era
With the rise of AI, knowledge has become more readily accessible, reducing the value of academic qualifications. Future-proof skills include the ability to filter information, make informed decisions, and think creatively—abilities that cannot be measured by exams or planned by parents. Parents who focus too much on short-term certainties may hinder their children's flexibility in a rapidly changing world.
#### 5. Advice for Parents
The article offers several practical suggestions:
- Don't overemphasize the Gaokao: Good grades are commendable, but poor ones are not the end of the world; scores do not define one's future.
- Respect your child's interests: Choose a major that they enjoy, rather than one that is currently in high demand, as job markets can change.
- Expose your child to AI: Understanding and using AI technologies (such as ChatGPT and AI-generated content) will be more beneficial than simply doing practice questions.
- Embrace failure: Allow children to make mistakes and learn from them; this helps develop their ability to handle uncertainty, which is a crucial skill for the future.
In essence, this article advises parents to focus on their children's long-term development rather than solely on exam results. In an era of rapid change, the ability to adapt will be more decisive than achieving high scores.