To further strengthen communication and interaction between undergraduate students and professional teachers, and to help students better plan their academic careers, the School of Statistics and Management has officially implemented the Undergraduate Life Mentor System since 2014. This system is integrated with the cultivation of research-oriented talents and ideological education, aiming to cultivate first-class statistical talents with firm beliefs, strong political positions, solid professional foundations, and robust research capabilities. Summarizing past experiences, and based on existing activities, to further enhance the participation of teachers and students in our college and fully exert their initiative, our college has specially created the "Teacher Talks · 'Language' for Your Growth" seminar series this academic year. The first offline seminar was successfully held on April 4, with 9 professional course teachers and nearly 90 first- and second-year undergraduate students participating.
Teacher's Talk: "Language" The Student-Teacher Symposium is organized by the School of Statistics and Management on a unified platform, adopting a format of teacher applications and student registrations, with multiple venues operating simultaneously. Each venue consists of life mentors and their guiding students. During the symposium, through sufficient communication, life mentors can gain an in-depth understanding of students' learning and living conditions, and combine this with professional studies and talent cultivation goals to provide introductions and answers regarding research competitions, professional tracks, course arrangements, internships, and professional development prospects. In a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, it enhances students' professional identity and strengthens their awareness of ability enhancement.
During this seminar, the mentors provided a lot of guidance and suggestions for the students' questions. Teacher Feng Xingdong encouraged students in the data science field to build a solid foundation in mathematics and programming, and to actively participate in the college's "Data Clinic" research projects in their senior years for practical experience. Teacher Wu Chunjie introduced how to selectively participate in research competitions and interpreted the current trends in graduates' employment, further study, and overseas education, guiding students in their academic and career planning. Teacher Li Tao pointed out that students in the School of Statistics should have a good foundation in mathematics, be down-to-earth rather than seeking quick success, and deepen their professional knowledge and skills through long-term coursework, competition projects, and academic research to enhance their hard skills. Teacher Bai Yang gathered students together and in a cheerful atmosphere mentioned that a lot of current students' anxiety stems from getting stuck in "dead ends" and "loopholes in thinking," suggesting that students should selectively discard trivial matters while considering problems comprehensively.
Teacher Zhao Haibing led the students in a relaxed atmosphere of mutual introductions, discussing past experiences and future plans while addressing students' confusions. Teacher Ma Junling shared insights from her own teaching experience, offering many tips and methods regarding professional course study, and pointed out the significant importance of research competitions like "Da Chuang" and "Shu Mo" in enhancing personal comprehensive quality. Teacher Zhu Qianqian combined her academic and work experiences to inspire students, hoping everyone would always maintain a sense of youth and awe, build a solid professional foundation, develop their unique adaptability and irreplaceable value, and keep curiosity and passion in life. Teacher Qiu Yixuan advised students to conduct more research outside textbooks, broaden their horizons, and actively cultivate practical skills, emphasizing that true knowledge comes from practice. Teacher Chen Ying upheld the principle of "teaching a person to fish is better than giving them fish," providing students with methods for self-arrangement and information collection when striving toward their goals, boosting their confidence and motivation to achieve their dreams.
By participating in this student-teacher symposium with life mentors, students have developed a more concrete vision and expectation for university life, as well as a clearer direction for their academic and career planning.
The undergraduate life mentor system at the School of Statistics and Management is an effective way to strengthen the connection between teachers and students. By conducting regular exchanges, mentors gain a more comprehensive understanding of their students' learning and life, allowing for more targeted guidance in the educational process. This fosters a positive interaction between teachers and students, truly establishing a collaborative education framework for all. In the future, the school will continue to optimize the life mentor work mechanism and constantly improve face-to-face communication forms to lay a solid foundation for creating a first-class and integrated training model for statistical talents.
