Graduates | 刘兆余：你一直有选择改变的权力

2023年，广东以色列理工学院即将迎来第三届本科毕业生。他们心怀远大梦想、扎根祖国大地、叩问知识思想、勇攀人生高峰，以奋斗之姿书写一个个“有志者”的故事，从广以走向更辽远的广阔天地。广东以色列理工学院2023届本科毕业生系列采访将带大家走进奋力追光的广以学子，一同放飞青春梦想。

从初入广以的不适应，甚至面临学业危机，到凭借突出的科研实践能力被全球排名前30的院校录取，这位广以学子坚定向前，完成从低谷跃升的绽放之旅。让我们一起认识广以材料科学与工程本科毕业生刘兆余，分享他在广以实现逆袭的心路历程。

— Graduates —

刘兆余

毕业高中：湖南省娄底市第三中学

本科专业：材料科学与工程

录取院校：曼彻斯特大学，伯明翰大学，纽卡斯尔大学，西交利物浦大学

正视不足 · 低谷攀升

GRADUATES OF 2023

高考填报志愿时，广东以色列理工学院这类中外合作大学作为当时初入大众视野的新兴办学体系吸引了兆余的注意。在他看来，广以提供了一个国际化的高质量平台，能够让广大学子接触到全球顶尖的教育资源和逐步适应海外的教育体系，“作为留学的启动项再好不过”。

初入广以时，他却遭遇了“水土不服”。如何安排好自己的时间、如何合理地准备课程、如何参与小组合作等方面都与他在高中的学习习惯截然不同。兆余回忆，他当时被动地等待解决方案，错失了宝贵的机会，大一到大二期间甚至一度面临学业危机。

幸运的是，兆余在家人和朋友的帮助下一步步走出低谷。“我的家人在了解到我所处的困境后非常关心，积极地与我一起寻找问题的根源。同时，我的室友和朋友们也非常热心地帮助我，给予许多建议和经验供我参考。”通过不断地向周围的伙伴学习，兆余慢慢走出了困境。“在我迷茫和低落的时候，正是我身边优秀的伙伴们不断地激励我前进，让我在后来的学业中越走越轻松了。”

刘兆余与母亲合影

回望这段经历，兆余认为，突破困境最重要的是找到烦恼的根源，同时直视自己的不足。“如果沉浸在温柔的假象里昏睡的话，只会导致情况的不断恶化，直到产生无法挽回的结果。勇敢面对自己的问题，鼓起勇气做出改变，不断尝试，难题一定可以得到解决。”

经过不断的反思、调整，他在学业上奋起直追，同时和其他的广以本科生一样顺利加入了科研课题组。在导师的带领和指导下，兆余和其他组员们深入研究了金原子在量子点阵上的生长规律，完成了一篇相关领域的论文并顺利发表。这段本科的科研经历让他对团队合作研究有了更多经验，在学习到更多专业知识的同时，他也为之后的研究生活打下了良好的基础。

刘兆余（左二）与导师及课题组成员

找准方向，收获肯定

GRADUATES OF 2023

兆余最初并未将“深造”这个选项纳入自己的人生规划中，但在许多优秀导师的带领下，他逐渐体验到了研究的乐趣，也确定了自己感兴趣的研究方向，开始思考自己在本科结束后将会书写的故事。

确定方向之后，兆余主动地在科研、实习等多方面探寻机会，在沉淀中积蓄力量。结束在广以的本科学习后，兆余在长沙的华菱金属研究所参与了新国标高强钢的研发工作，随后又前往中南大学合作的米塔尔集团参观实习，并参与了合金表面加工工艺改良技术的研发项目。实习期间，他积极地向前辈学者请教，同时主动争取更多锻炼的经验。他所参与的项目组也取得了可观的成果。

谈及申请经验，兆余分享道，他是在本科末尾才开始考虑具体的择校问题。相对于院校的排名和头衔，他更重视院系专业在领域取得的成果和拥有的资源。而他认为在大学期间尽力地保证优良的学术表现，并为自己积累资源，同时与身边优秀的教授们加强联系，这些才能为最终的“选校自由”做好铺垫。

申请结果让兆余非常惊喜，他收获了曼彻斯特大学材料工程系、伯明翰大学材料工程系、纽卡斯尔大学材料工程系和西交利物浦大学材料工程系四个大学和院系发出的录取通知书。

在开放研究生项目申请的顶尖院校中，兆余所申请的英系大学尤其看重院校背景和标化成绩，如世界排名前三十的顶级院校曼彻斯特大学，一般推荐的申请分数是85分及以上。而兆余能够以75分的平均绩点申请到曼彻斯特大学，不仅与他个人的不懈努力息息相关，也充分体现了以色列理工学院在世界名校中的高认可度和高知名度。

回顾申请过程，兆余感慨，尽管75分并非一个很优秀的学术成绩，但他在广以就读本科期间所完成的相关领域论文和所参与的研究所实习项目，让这几所研究型大学纷纷向他伸出了橄榄枝。“其实我最开始的时候也非常不自信，但在亲自选择放弃前，失败永远不会成为既定事实。只有尽力去试，才不会留下遗憾！”兆余表示。

给师弟师妹的寄语

我们的人生一直是一场马拉松而非短期冲刺，切忌因为间歇性的热血上头消磨了自己对生活的热情。提前做好规划，视野放开，一切问题都有它对应的解决方案，只取决于你自己是否愿意付出代价去选择对应的解法。

This summer, the Class of 2023 will graduate from Guangdong Technion – Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT). They have big dreams and thirst for knowledge; they keep their eyes on the stars, but feet on the ground. The young "Aspirants" grow from GTIIT to a wider world. Let's follow the interview series of the graduates from the Class of 2023 to know their stories.

In the first year in GTIIT, he met difficulties and even academic crisis; in the last year in GTIIT, he received offers from prestigious universities including Top 30 ones. How did he manage to change and grow in GTIIT? Let's meet Liu Zhaoyu from GTIIT MSE Program and share his inspiring story.

— Graduates —

刘兆余

High School: Loudi No.3 Middle School in Hunan Province

Program: Materials Science and Engineering

Offers: University of Manchester, University of Birmingham, Newcastle University and Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Face Myself, Survive Tough Times

GRADUATES OF 2023

After college entrance exam, emerging Sino-foreign cooperated universities such as GTIIT attracted Liu's attention. He regarded GTIIT as an international high-quality platform, exposing students to global top education and resources, which is the best way to further overseas study.

Liu could not adjust to the education system when first entering GTIIT. Problems including how to arrange the time, how to prepare the course, how to cooperate with others and many aspects troubled Liu. He was too nervous to search for solutions then and even met crisis on his academic performance.

Luckily, Liu went through his tough time with the help of family and friends. "My family was very concerned with my problems and tried to solve them with me. My roommates also gave hands to me, giving me many advice and help. With the help of them, I gradually regained the confidence and power to fight. It was the accompany of them that encouraged me to move forward," Liu said.

Liu with his Mother

To break through the dilemma, Liu believed that the most important thing is to find the root of the problem and identify his weakness. "Ignorance will only lead to a worsening of the situation and even irreversible result. Take the courage to make change and keep trying, the problem will be solved," Liu shared his thoughts.

After constant reflection and adjustment, he gradually overcame academic difficulties and joined the scientific research group the same as other GTIIT students. Under the guidance of the professor, he and other team members successfully carried on the experiment and published an paper. This research experience had trained him with ability in teamwork and laid a good foundation for the future study and research.

Liu (Second from Left) and Research Group

Keep Running in the Right Direction

GRADUATES OF 2023

Liu didn't plan to pursue further study at the first years, but he became enjoying in scientific research under the guidance of many excellent professors and scholars. He found his interested direction and began to think about what kind of "story" he would write after his undergraduate study.

After graduating from GTIIT, Liu applied for internships in the field of materials science in different companies. As an intern, he worked actively with the senior workmates and sought for more participation in the project. Before he left, the project had achieved considerable success.

When it comes to choosing further study program, Liu said that he cared more about the achievements and resources that the programs and the departments could provide to the students, rather than only rankings or titles of them. He noticed that the first priority is to ensure the academic performance, and try to enjoy resources from GTIIT and build connections with the professors as much as possible.

The application result surprised Liu very much. He got admission letters from University of Manchester, University of Birmingham, Newcastle University and Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University.

British universities that Liu applied for have high requirements for candidates' undergraduate study and standardized test scores. For example, the recommended GPA to apply for the University of Manchester, one of the Top 30 university, is 85 or above, but Liu successfully received the offer with an average GPA of 75. Both his hard work and the Technion's high reputation contributed to the success.

Although Liu wasn't the best in academic performance, he published a research paper with the research group members and actively participated in the internships of the relevant industry , which have helped him won the recognition from these top research universities. "In fact, I was not confident at the beginning, but I believed that failure won't come until you choose to give up. Only when you try your best, you will not regret," Liu said.

Messages to the GTers

Life is a marathon, not a sprint. Don't let the burst wear down your enthusiasm for life. Keep planning and open-minded, you will find that every problem has a solution, and it's up to you to choose.

推荐阅读 ✦ 毕业生专访

 Graduates Interview 

徐昊天：从低谷到逆袭，拼搏热血青春