Core Points - The new college entrance examination system, known as "New Gaokao," has been implemented in 29 provinces, significantly changing the way students fill out their college applications [1][8] - The new system allows students to choose three additional subjects beyond the mandatory Chinese and Mathematics exams, breaking the traditional division between arts and sciences [1][14] - Most provinces have adopted a model where universities group similar programs together, allowing students to apply based on their chosen subjects [1][4] Group 1: Changes in Application Process - The "New Gaokao" system has replaced the previous rigid arts and sciences division with a more flexible subject selection process [1][14] - Universities are now organizing programs into subject groups, which require students to meet specific subject criteria to apply [6][4] - The new application model aims to better match students' interests and academic strengths with their chosen fields of study [6][12] Group 2: Implications for Students - Students must be cautious about their choices, as not accepting program adjustments could lead to being rejected from their preferred options [10][12] - The new system allows for a more tailored application process, but it also requires students to fill out numerous parallel choices, increasing the complexity of the application [12][18] - Students are advised to create a tiered list of applications based on their academic rankings and the previous year's admission data [18][19] Group 3: Preparation for Application - Students should thoroughly review the admission requirements and restrictions for their desired programs to avoid disqualification [20][22] - It is recommended that students consider their long-term career goals and personal interests when selecting programs [22][23] - Parents and students are encouraged to engage in discussions about future aspirations to make informed choices during the application process [23]

Group 1 - The article emphasizes the importance of understanding local college entrance examination policies and procedures for students and parents [1][2][4] - It outlines a step-by-step approach for students to prepare for filling out their college application forms, including familiarizing themselves with policies, gathering information, and accurately assessing their academic standing [1][2][4] - The article highlights the significance of collecting reliable information from authoritative sources such as local examination authorities and official university channels [1][2][4] Group 2 - It discusses the necessity of understanding the admission requirements and conditions of various universities, including their recruitment plans and historical admission data [2][4][5] - The article advises students to consider multiple factors when selecting universities and majors, including their academic performance, personal interests, and the job market [8][9][10] - It stresses the importance of setting a balanced range of choices in applications to mitigate the risk of not being admitted [10][11][12] Group 3 - The article explains that past admission data should be used cautiously, as each year's admission criteria can change significantly [11][12] - It provides insights into the specific requirements that universities may have regarding academic performance, health conditions, and language proficiency [12][13][14] - The article also outlines the content typically included in university admission guidelines, which is crucial for students to review before applying [13][14] Group 4 - It offers strategies for filling out applications under the new examination model, emphasizing the need for precise self-assessment and strategic selection of universities [15][16][18] - The article advises students to be aware of their health conditions and how they may affect their eligibility for certain programs [9][16][18] - It highlights the importance of understanding the implications of applying to specialized programs and the potential for losing admission opportunities if not properly informed [20][21][22]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the decline of humanities education in China, particularly in high schools, due to changes in examination policies and societal preferences for science and engineering fields, leading to a significant reduction in the number of students choosing humanities subjects and a surplus of humanities teachers [2][7][33]. Group 1: Changes in Education Policy - The new "3+1+2" examination model in Yunnan province has led to a decrease in the number of students selecting humanities subjects, particularly history, as students opt for subjects perceived to offer better career prospects [6][17]. - In 2024, the number of science students in Yunnan was approximately 195,000, while humanities students numbered around 160,000, with a significant disparity in the number of students qualifying for top universities [6][7]. - The trend of declining humanities enrollment is not isolated to China; globally, there has been a 17% decrease in humanities enrollment in the past decade in the U.S., with similar trends observed in other countries [7][8]. Group 2: Impact on Humanities Teachers - Many humanities teachers, such as history teachers, are facing reduced teaching hours and job insecurity due to the declining number of students choosing these subjects [3][4][9]. - In Yunnan, the number of history classes has drastically decreased, with some schools having only one history class per grade, leading to a surplus of history teachers [9][10]. - Teachers like Xia Yu express feelings of inadequacy and fear of job loss, despite having job security, due to the lack of teaching hours and student engagement [4][5][10]. Group 3: Societal Attitudes Towards Humanities - There is a growing perception among parents and students that humanities subjects are less valuable compared to science subjects, leading to a stigma around choosing humanities [15][20]. - Many students who are interested in humanities feel pressured to choose science subjects due to parental expectations and perceived job market advantages [20][28]. - The article highlights a shift in student attitudes, where even previously less academically inclined students are now opting for science subjects, further marginalizing humanities [19][20]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The article suggests that the current trend of declining humanities education may continue, with potential long-term implications for the teaching profession and the value placed on humanities in society [33]. - Teachers express hope for a future adjustment in educational policies that may restore balance between humanities and sciences, recognizing the need for both fields in society [33].

Core Points - The decline of liberal arts education is leading to a significant reduction in the number of students choosing humanities subjects in high schools, resulting in fewer liberal arts classes and teachers being underutilized [1][2][13] - The new college entrance examination system in China, particularly the "3+1+2" model, has made it more challenging for students to pursue liberal arts, further exacerbating the decline in humanities enrollment [6][11][35] - The global trend of declining enrollment in humanities disciplines is reflected in various countries, including the U.S., where humanities enrollment has decreased by 17% over the past decade [8][9] Group 1 - The new examination model has led to a significant disparity in the number of students choosing science over humanities, with a notable difference in the number of students qualifying for top universities [7][10][35] - The reduction in liberal arts programs at universities, such as Fudan University cutting humanities enrollment by nearly half, indicates a broader trend towards prioritizing STEM fields [10][12] - The perception of liberal arts as less valuable in terms of career prospects is influencing students and parents to favor science subjects, leading to a further decline in humanities enrollment [29][30][39] Group 2 - Teachers of humanities subjects, particularly history, are facing job insecurity and reduced teaching hours, with many experiencing a significant drop in class assignments [3][20][66] - The oversupply of history teachers is evident, with many teachers being reassigned to administrative roles due to a lack of classes to teach [15][19][72] - The changing educational landscape is causing anxiety among humanities teachers regarding their future job stability and career advancement opportunities [70][71][66]