How to Spend College Life

　　我的大学

　　Ding: Could you tell us something about your study years in University of Edinburgh? Are there any special people or experience that impressed you deepest while you were studying there?

　　Bourne: While Edinburgh has a good reputation in modern languages, I must admit that it was the City of Edinburgh itself that impressed me most of all. It is a beautiful city with fine architecture, but also with warm friendly people and delightful cultural traditions. I personally am very fond of Scottish things such as their dancing and music and their food. Unfortunately, all of these good things meant that I didn't study at all hard and my academic life was complicated by the fact that I met my future wife at university, so perhaps I focus more on my social life than I should have done. With luck, however, the Bourne family will soon be able to boast four Edinburgh graduates,as both my children chose to attend Edinburgh University.

　　Ding: So what do you think is the most important thing for a young person to pursue in college? As to the old question “how to spend your college life meaningfully”, could you give our young students some fresh advice or ideas?

　　Bourne: I am one of those people who does not believe in being too focused on a single academic subject. My recommendation is that students should take the opportunity of their university years to pursue a number of other areas of interest which are available within a university environment. In addition, I strongly recommend that students seek to achieve a good balance between their studies and their personal life. In that respect, it would perhaps be helpful to relate that my daughter spent quite a lot of time riding horses when she was at university, while my son is a sportsman who finds that playing sport gives his mind time to relax.