▷ Editor’s Note
The construction of the Chongqing Yitong University College Project Workshop adheres to “a student-centered approach to comprehensive development”, serving the school’s mission and vision. It revolves around the three core drivers of the college: “family culture, leadership, and connection points”, guided by teachers and centered on students, focusing on project incubation, content production, practical interaction, and student growth. This further promotes the integration of the “four-in-one dual college system + characteristic courses”, comprehensively enhancing the educational value of the college.
As space and community break down boundaries and merge, as thinking and action resonate across disciplines, education is growing more vibrantly in the college. Starting in March, the official WeChat account of Chongqing Yitong University College launched the “100+ College Projects” column, inviting current students, alumni, and partners interested in the development of Chongqing Yitong University College to experience the sparks of creativity ignited by peer interactions.
Speaker: Chen Xinlong
Class of 2024, Vehicle Engineering Major
Student Leader of the Second Session of the Traveler Park College Group
A year ago, I was just a freshman stepping into the university campus, with only a vague concept of the term “discipline competition”. At that time, I was full of curiosity about everything in the workshop, until one day, Teacher Chen Qianhua took us, the bewildered staff, to visit the five workshops of Songge College and said: “This will be the place where your dreams set sail.” This sentence planted the first seed of dreams in my heart.
The first time I truly witnessed the charm of discipline competitions was when I watched my seniors participate in the school training competition. That day, I arrived early at the competition venue and found a seat close to the front. As the competition began, the atmosphere gradually heated up. The sound of keyboards typing code, the focused expressions of the team members, and the cheers when the projects were completed all left me deeply impressed.
I recalled my high school days when I also had dreams of participating in competitions, but for various reasons, I was unable to realize them. Now, this dream seemed to be right in front of me, within reach. At that moment, I clearly realized that this is the university life I want, full of challenges and opportunities, allowing me to continuously break through myself and achieve my dreams.
Encouraged by the college teachers, I chose the Embedded Innovation Project Workshop as my starting point for growth. Initially, facing the unfamiliar 3D modeling software, I felt lost. However, the systematic training program of the workshop quickly helped me find direction. From the simplest part drawings to complex assembly designs, I explored step by step, and each progress made me more confident in my choice.
The “Second Auto CAD & 3D Drawing Competition” was the starting point of my competition career. During the preparation period, the workshop’s instructors also developed a detailed training plan for us. Every day after class, I would appear in the workshop on time, repeatedly practicing various modeling techniques. The instructors and seniors were always patient in answering our questions, even sacrificing their rest time to help us refine our projects.
When the competition results were announced, and I won first prize, it was not only a recognition of my technical abilities but also a boost to my confidence in continuing to compete. This confidence stemmed from the professional guidance of the workshop mentors and the warm care from the college teachers, making the tense preparation process filled with warmth.
As I accumulated experience, I began to challenge higher-level competitions. The National College Student Advanced Drawing Technology and Product Information Modeling Innovation Competition was my first national event. The preparation for this stage was no longer just simple technical practice but a comprehensive test of willpower.
The workshop created the best preparation environment for us. The mentor team developed personalized training plans based on each student’s characteristics and invited past award-winning seniors to share their experiences. During those days, I repeatedly practiced past competition questions, from being unfamiliar to proficient, from imitation to innovation. The most memorable was in the last week before the competition, when the college mentors came to the workshop to help us adjust our mindset through relaxed games and in-depth discussions.
When I finally stepped onto the national competition stage, the mixed feelings of tension and excitement are still unforgettable. When fully immersed in the competition, all the practice turned into muscle memory, and all the efforts blossomed at that moment. This experience made me deeply realize that true growth happens in those moments of persistent self-breakthrough.
In the second semester of my freshman year, I made a bold decision—to participate in the 22nd Information Security and Countermeasure Technology Competition. This was a completely unfamiliar field for me, who had always focused on structural design. With no programming background, I was once tempted to give up in the face of dense code.
However, the innovative atmosphere of the workshop and the encouragement from the mentors gave me the courage to persevere. “Interdisciplinary collaboration is the source of innovation,” Teacher Chen’s words awakened me. Thus, while completing my daily studies, I began the challenging journey of cross-disciplinary learning. During the busiest times, coinciding with the summer “Three Going to the Countryside” social practice, I participated in volunteer services during the day and studied programming late into the night. The workshop specifically arranged for students with a good programming foundation to pair up with me, and the college teachers often called to check on my preparation status.
This “painful yet joyful” preparation experience made me deeply understand the meaning of perseverance. When I finally achieved both provincial and national first prizes, the sense of accomplishment from stepping out of my comfort zone was unparalleled by any success in a single field.
As I entered my sophomore year, my role in the workshop also changed. From a junior following my seniors for advice, I grew into a senior capable of guiding new students. When a junior first came to me with questions, I felt as if I was looking at my past self from a year ago.
Looking back on my more than a year in the Embedded Innovation Project Workshop, I gained not only numerous awards and certificates but also problem-solving skills, a spirit of teamwork, and the courage to break through. The workshop serves as a bridge connecting theory and practice, learning and innovation, individuals and teams. The support from the college and mentors is the strongest pillar of this bridge.
Now, when I guide new members in the workshop, I always think of what Teacher Chen said when he first took us on a tour. Now, I understand the meaning of that sentence more deeply—this is not only a place to learn skills but also a harbor where dreams set sail. Even though there will still be countless difficulties ahead, the strength accumulated here will support me to move forward relentlessly.
Official QQ | College Abe (1724497462)
Contributed by | Traveler Park College Group
Layout | Activity Practice Department
Proofreading | Brand Promotion Department
Reviewed by | Jiang Dongting, Weng Jie, Zhou Xinyi
