I entered Jiangyou Branch School of Mianyang Radio and TV University (RTVU) majoring in public health affairs management in the spring of 2013.

I got to know about the RTVU through a friend, but from the very beginning I had many worries: Occupied with work and trivial housework every day, where would I find the time and energy to spend on learning? Would I be able to graduate successfully if I learnt in my spare time? I was both a doctor and administrator in the stomatology department of the hospital where I worked, so if I studied public health affairs management, I would have the chance to improve myself and upgrade my own management skills. At this thought, I spoke with my wife and enrolled in Jiangyou RTVU. On the first day of school, a grand opening ceremony was held and those attending included the president, relevant leaders and class tutors of all majors. The leaders delivered candid speeches, introduced extensive, flexible and humanizing ways of learning, including basic requirements and performance assessments. Such part-time Internet-based learning for adult education is the most suitable system for on-the-job learners. Only if you learn seriously, can you acquire knowledge wherever you are. Furthermore, the RTVU education system offers a wider range of knowledge via the Internet, a variety of options, more customization, more flexible timing and standardized teaching.

With the change of cognition and concept, I became confident in learning. I took all the time I could to spend on learning each subject and worked seriously to put what I had learned into practice. As far as crisis public relations were concerned, the department head would be the first to deal with the conflict in a clinical department. As a doctor and department head, I upgraded my abilities thanks to the RTVU courses which covered dealing with conflicts and other emergencies, as well as tackling crises. Crises are inevitable, but the key lies in how to face and deal with them. Only with the improvement of cognition and consciousness, can we tackle each crisis calmly. Only through correct medical knowledge, public health affairs management knowledge and legal knowledge, can we handle doctor-patient relationships properly and convince others with reason and evidence.

When the 2015 spring term began, I was assigned my thesis. With the tutor’s frequent care and supervision, I learned how to collect materials firsthand, read reference materials, arrange contents etc. Moreover, the tutor often called to learn about my progress and responded positively to helping when I had difficulties. As such, I was able to complete my thesis within the specified time, which was a very moving moment for me. I published two papers, which was conducive to the promotion of my professional qualifications.

Without any foundation, I was very stressed when I began the unified courses of Fundamental Application of Computer Technology and English. I had no confidence and always worried about failing. When the class tutor phoned to tell me to attend the pre-examination tutorial at the weekend, I felt very upset, since my department in the hospital was even busier at that time. At the same time, we were having our house decorated, and my wife was also extremely busy. When the class tutor heard all this, he offered advice and asked for my wife’s phone number. I didn’t know his intention at first, but I later learned that he discussed a tighter schedule with my wife so as to spare more time for my learning. Since then, 95% of the housework was done by my wife and my work time was also adjusted to fit in more time for tutorials. The teachers gave careful lectures and made patient and repeated explanations on difficult questions. I became more confident in learning. I didn’t miss even one class in the one-month weekend tutorial, and in the end I passed the unified examinations of English and Fundamental Application of Computer Technology on my first attempt.

Not only did I pass Fundamental Application of Computer Technology, I also learned a lot, including PPT production for professional study in the departments of the hospital, the use of hospital PDCA, the compilation of publicity materials for the department, and making various documents and forms, which were all very helpful. I, who was used to handwriting in office work, have now become reliant on computers. My work efficiency was greatly improved, and I was highly praised by the leaders and well received by my colleagues.

I still remember at the end of the second term when I had just returned from an academic conference in Chongqing. Due to the tiring journey and freezing cold weather, I caught a cold, had a bad cough, and felt weak. I couldn’t go to school for the final term examination, neither could I do any revision. Mr. Tian, my class tutor, dropped in on me after he found out. He brought me materials for revision, gave me patient guidance, and explained the requirements and question types for the examination. With the help of my teachers, I succeeded in passing all the examinations in the term.

Over more than two years of learning, Mr. Tian urged us to study, often asked us what difficulties we had and what help we needed via phone calls. He also founded the class QQ group to release information on learning, courses, examination results etc. Though we remained at home, we never fell behind in making progress. We also had learning exchanges and made friends with students of various majors, shared learning experiences, and learned about social trends through the QQ group. We encouraged each other, which in turn improved our own work.

Through the RTVU studies, both my professional level and work performance were greatly improved, which was recognized by my colleagues and leaders of the hospital. In 2014, I was awarded the encouragement award for “New Technique of Embedded Teeth in Maxilla” in the hospital.

Wandering through the sea of learning, I could swim freely like a fish; flying obliquely in the sky of learning, I could soar freely like a bird; and strolling across the plain of learning, I could sing aloud like a herdsman. “National prosperity, national rejuvenation, people's happiness, and social harmony” depicted the Chinese dream as advocated by the Chinese President, Xi Jinping. We should make an enthusiastic response based on personal dreams, learn for the rise of China and learn for the realization of the great Chinese dream!

(The article won third prize in the OUC "My Learning Story" essay competition.)

By Luo Xiaojun, 2013 Spring Class of Public Health Affairs Management, Jiangyou Branch of Mianyang RTVU