Video project looks back at youth

Future plans

In another video, Guan Bichen, then 21, said she was busy considering going overseas for further study.

As a psychology major, she felt most proud of her volunteer work as a peer counselor once a week in dorm buildings at Renmin University, helping those who had questions and needed to talk.

"I am devoted to student work as a class leader in university, and now I feel that I can help more," she said in the video.

Pengbei-"Friends and Peers"－the volunteer organization she joined also started in 2012, so this year marks its 10th birthday. In the past decade, it has helped thousands of students and provided a template for other universities to follow.

"I'm very happy to see that a seed we planted 10 years ago is now blossoming. It feels great to hear the name mentioned in the 'time capsule' and it brings up many precious memories," Guan said.

Self-realization has always been her ultimate goal. The 32-year-old, who has just earned a doctorate, recently started working as a research fellow at the University of Queensland in Australia.

"The years between 20 and 30 should be the time when we keep moving toward our next goal, embracing opportunities and overcoming difficulties. It's the definition of that age," she said.

Now, in the field of management-related psychology, Guan believes her research provides practical help for companies and organizations.

"When I think of how others can get useful information from my results, I feel encouraged," she said. "To strive to achieve one goal after another has been my way of life, and I thank my younger self, who studied and worked really hard, that I have become the current me," she said.

Her next goal is to find a permanent job as a lecturer at a university. "When you have a goal to achieve, it can cause anxiety, mostly because of the uncertainty one can't control," Guan said. "I'm still learning to deal with that anxiety."

The past decade hasn't all been peace and accomplishment for her, though.

"My mom died of an illness in 2016, I couldn't believe that disasters really happen. I mean, they happen, but I never thought they would happen to me. I couldn't accept that fact for a long time and I thought it was unfair," she said. "I had just finished my master's when my mother died, and I thought our new life was about to begin. I won't have the chance to share my achievements with her anymore."

After experiencing the deaths of family members－something she failed to take into consideration in her early 20s－Guan has learned to cherish time spent with family members.

In fact, her greatest joy in the past 10 years came when her parents visited Australia during her exchange. She rented a car and drove them around the country. They visited several cities in one month, including Brisbane, the city in which she now lives.

"My mom loved it here. She said it was cozy, similar to Jiangmen, my hometown," Guan said with a smile.

Just like 10 years ago, Guan recently sat in front of Gao's camera and addressed her future self in 10 years: "I hope you stay positive and hardworking, and you remain true to the ideals of your younger self. Keep growing. Be healthy."