"In fact, the study burden lasted through the final three years of high school. Me and my classmates spent almost all of our time in the classroom," she said.
"There was little time for physical exercise or even sleep. My parents wanted me to take some rest, but the pressure of the exams didn't allow me to," said Zhao.
Li Yanhua, a 40-year-old mother whose son is in high school, said that she does worry about her son's health, but feels there is little she can do about it, as all the other students are forced to study in the same way.
"I'm equally concerned about his gaokao performance, which will determine his life as well," she said.
"Since all his classmates study under pressure, then we should do the same so he doesn't lag behind," said Li.
Chu Zhaohui, a researcher with the China National Institute for Education Research, told the Global Times that the students' bad health is a direct reflection of the pressure from the exams.
"The only solution to the problem is not to allow one single exam to define a student," he said.
"Instead, if students could be judged by various aspects, including the time they participated in social activities or expanding on a hobby they love, they might be in a better health condition as a result," said Chu.
Chu said that he understands that some Chinese people send their children to study overseas at very early age just to escape the gaokao.
"They do this partly because of their children's health," he noted.
Landmark building should respect the public's feeling
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