English
On a sunny afternoon, I met with Selina Li. The sunlight, streaming through the blinds, cast shadows on the table. She mentioned her love for these small details in life, like the sunlight streaming into the dining room early in the morning or the rainbow halo at the bottom of a water glass. These moments bring her joy.
Selina, who has a passion for psychology, possesses a remarkably pure and strong inner world, which contrasts sharply with her petite and delicate appearance. Engaging with today's youth offers a unique experience that exudes strength and blossoming, inspiring respect for every stage of life.
01 Little Time Eating, Most Time Digesting
I used to often feel lost, but as I grew up, I realized the world is my own. I just need to go with the flow.
Selina shared that she previously attended a public primary school where her academic performance wasn't stellar. She didn't enjoy the environment much and spent a lot of time alone, making her seem a bit out of place. Even as a child, she loved sitting in the classroom, pondering questions like "Do we all see the same colors?" "Why do people think differently?" and "What truly differentiates one person from another?"
Feeling unhappy and unfulfilled, her mediocre grades led to deep self-doubt. Like many teenagers, Selina felt an intense desire for freedom and liberation during those confusing times.When visiting Haidian Kaiwen School during the transition to middle school, Selina found the place comforting. After passing the entrance exam, she joined the school, marking the beginning of her teenage years there.
Five years may not seem long, but it was enough to transform Selina. From the girl who enjoyed her own company, she evolved into someone who found her utopia. Now, she is more authentic and passionate, enjoying her studies and life in a safe environment. Sometimes, she still prefers solitude, whether accompanied by sunlight or sunsets.
In her universe, Selina created her safe haven, facing her emotions and doing what she genuinely wanted. To her, solitude is no longer lonely but a relaxed choice. She likens it to digestion: eating takes little time, while digestion takes much longer. For Selina, solitude is her way of digesting her world.
02 The Essence of Psychology is Seeing, the Core is Love
I'm grateful to have met Teacher Tan, who was instrumental in my understanding of psychology. As a psychology enthusiast, I find the subject a journey of self-discovery and self-healing.
When asked about her favorite subject, Selina promptly said "psychology," attributing much of her passion to her teacher. "I vividly remember a class where the teacher said, 'Psychology is a science.' In eighth grade, I learned about Freud's superego, ego, and id; and the Trolley Dilemma, among other fascinating topics," Selina shared.
After a year of study, Selina's interest in psychology deepened. She would pause to read any related information and spend more time exploring the subject.
Selina finds exploring the brain and behavior magical. Unlike subjects like math, psychology is more inclusive and often has no fixed answers, instead involving the clash of multiple theories. She finds the process of understanding these concepts particularly engaging.
Seeing oneself means recognizing the real you and making positive changes. Seeing others involves empathy, understanding, and helping them become better versions of themselves.
Selina describes her passion as a pure emotion, offering fulfillment without expectation. To her, psychology is like a developer solution, revealing hidden aspects of the inner self. Studying psychology shows that nothing happens without reason. Although psychological experts have differing views, they all explore the deep consciousness, which can harbor both light and darkness. Behind various theories, there is a warm understanding of human nature, providing clarity to our innermost feelings.
03 iPeople Experience the World, and Exploration is the Meaning
I long for a slow, simple, yet unique life. Keeping my essence, yet not entirely; allowing myself to slow down. Adventurous, Persistent, Empathetic are three words I use to describe myself.
During the interview, we inadvertently discussed why Selina chose A-Levels over AP. She cutely explained that as an introvert (iPerson), this decision made perfect sense for someone obsessed with psychology. Nature and sunlight, reading and writing, sports and skating, melodies and piano—each form of personal expression gives her strength. Continually exploring rather than being swayed by external influences is enough for her.
Broadly understood, iPeople are somewhat introverted and slow to warm up, needing a quieter lifestyle and more alone time. As an introvert, Selina values freedom, feeling, and thought. She rarely forces herself to do things she can't complete at the moment, making her study plan more dynamic. Instead of inefficiently studying when not in the mood, she prefers to temporarily stop. During such times, she engages her latent self by watching movies or indulging in activities she loves. Going outside and connecting with nature quickly restores her inner peace, providing significant healing.
Moving the world gently, without changing oneself, but accepting it.
Deep conversations revealed not just Selina's external attributes but also brought different perspectives on deeper issues. She noted that while many introduce themselves as "outgoing, cheerful, and enthusiastic," few say "introverted," as if only extroversion is commendable. Over time, this evolves into a paradox: extroverts, enjoying socializing, gain control over defining social environments, making it hard for iPeople to fit in. When asked for advice for other iPeople, Selina suggested that introverts are not necessarily poor communicators; they often articulate their thoughts more clearly. There's no need to fit into the social spotlight. By staying true to oneself and engaging in sincere interactions, one can naturally express and connect.
In continuous calmness, find joy; in unceasing healing, find freedom; in upward growth, find the infinity of self. I am not silent, but gradually becoming my true self, seeking the tranquility that connects with my heart. Using vibrant fragments, I piece together a vibrant self.Surprisingly, a 17-year-old girl can sense her changes and vividly articulate them.Recreate an idiomatic translation based on the first direct translation. Under adherence to the original meaning, the content should be made more understandable to the general reader and conform to English expressions
Self-Reflection: Becoming My True Self | Interview with Selina Li, Special Scholarship Recipient
I arranged to meet Selina Li one sunny afternoon. The warm sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting shadows on the table. She mentioned her love for these small, everyday details—like the way morning light floods the dining room or the rainbow halo that sometimes appears at the bottom of a water glass. These little moments bring her joy.
Selina, who has a passion for psychology, has a remarkably strong and pure inner world, which contrasts sharply with her petite and delicate appearance. Interacting with today’s youth provides a unique experience, showcasing their strength and vibrancy, and inspiring respect for every stage of life.
01 Brief Moments of Eating, Long Periods of Digesting
I used to often feel lost, but as I grew up, I realized the world is my own. I just need to go with the flow.
Selina shared that she previously attended a public primary school where her academic performance wasn’t stellar. She didn’t enjoy the environment much and spent a lot of time alone, which made her seem a bit out of place. Even as a child, she loved sitting in the classroom, pondering questions like "Do we all see the same colors?" "Why do people think differently?" and "What truly differentiates one person from another?"
Feeling unhappy and unfulfilled, her mediocre grades led to deep self-doubt. Like many teenagers, Selina felt an intense desire for freedom and liberation during those confusing times.
When visiting Haidian Kaiwen School during the transition to middle school, Selina found the place comforting. After passing the entrance exam, she joined the school, marking the beginning of her teenage years there.
Five years may not seem long, but it was enough to transform Selina. From the girl who enjoyed her own company, she evolved into someone who found her utopia. Now, she is more authentic and passionate, enjoying her studies and life in a safe environment. Sometimes, she still prefers solitude, whether accompanied by sunlight or sunsets.
In her universe, Selina created her safe haven, facing her emotions and doing what she genuinely wanted. To her, solitude is no longer lonely but a relaxed choice. She likens it to digestion: eating takes little time, while digestion takes much longer. For Selina, solitude is her way of digesting her world.
02 The Essence of Psychology is Seeing, the Core is Love
I’m grateful to have met Teacher Tan, who was instrumental in my understanding of psychology. As a psychology enthusiast, I find the subject a journey of self-discovery and self-healing.
When asked about her favorite subject, Selina promptly said "psychology," attributing much of her passion to her teacher. "I vividly remember a class where the teacher said, 'Psychology is a science.' In eighth grade, I learned about Freud’s superego, ego, and id; and the Trolley Dilemma, among other fascinating topics," Selina shared.
After a year of study, Selina’s interest in psychology deepened. She would pause to read any related information and spend more time exploring the subject.
Selina finds exploring the brain and behavior magical. Unlike subjects like math, psychology is more inclusive and often has no fixed answers, instead involving the clash of multiple theories. She finds the process of understanding these concepts particularly engaging.
Seeing oneself means recognizing the real you and making positive changes. Seeing others involves empathy, understanding, and helping them become better versions of themselves.
Selina describes her passion as a pure emotion, offering fulfillment without expectation. To her, psychology is like a developer solution, revealing hidden aspects of the inner self. Studying psychology shows that nothing happens without reason. Although psychological experts have differing views, they all explore the deep consciousness, which can harbor both light and darkness. Behind various theories, there is a warm understanding of human nature, providing clarity to our innermost feelings.
03 How Introverts Experience the World, and the Meaning of Exploration
I long for a slow, simple, yet unique life. Keeping my essence, yet not entirely; allowing myself to slow down. Adventurous, Persistent, Empathetic are three words I use to describe myself.
During the interview, we inadvertently discussed why Selina chose A-Levels over AP. She cutely explained that as an introvert, this decision made perfect sense for someone obsessed with psychology. Nature and sunlight, reading and writing, sports and skating, melodies and piano—each form of personal expression gives her strength. Continually exploring rather than being swayed by external influences is enough for her.
Broadly understood, introverts are somewhat reserved and take time to warm up, needing a quieter lifestyle and more alone time. As an introvert, Selina values freedom, feeling, and thought. She rarely forces herself to do things she can't complete at the moment, making her study plan more dynamic. Instead of inefficiently studying when not in the mood, she prefers to temporarily stop. During such times, she engages her latent self by watching movies or indulging in activities she loves. Going outside and connecting with nature quickly restores her inner peace, providing significant healing.
Moving the world gently, without changing oneself, but accepting it.
Deep conversations revealed not just Selina’s external attributes but also brought different perspectives on deeper issues. She noted that while many introduce themselves as "outgoing, cheerful, and enthusiastic," few say "introverted," as if only extroversion is commendable. Over time, this evolves into a paradox: extroverts, enjoying socializing, gain control over defining social environments, making it hard for introverts to fit in. When asked for advice for other introverts, Selina suggested that introverts are not necessarily poor communicators; they often articulate their thoughts more clearly. There’s no need to fit into the social spotlight. By staying true to oneself and engaging in sincere interactions, one can naturally express and connect.
In continuous calmness, find joy; in unceasing healing, find freedom; in upward growth, find the infinity of self. I am not silent, but gradually becoming my true self, seeking the tranquility that connects with my heart. Using vibrant fragments, I piece together a vibrant self.
Surprisingly, a 17-year-old girl can sense her changes and vividly articulate them.
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