Chen Ran (pseudonym), a junior student of the Beijing-based China Foreign Affairs University, started working part-time as soon as he arrived on campus.

A university student works as a waitor in a restaurant. (Photo/Chongqing Evening News)

Last summer, Chen traveled to Chongqing and Xinjiang Autonomous Region in western China, using 7,000 yuan he saved after a whole summer’s part-time work at Starbucks during weekdays as well as tutoring at the weekends.

“I was always uneasy asking my parents for travel money,” Chen explained.

Not long ago, he bought himself a new laptop. To some extent, he is now financially independent from his parents.

In a recent survey, China Youth Daily found that 89.3 percent of the 805 surveyed university students value financial independence and regard it as a sign of adulthood. 72.88 percent of them have made a start to reach financial freedom while 8 percent say they have already met their goal.

Many of those surveyed noted that they get great satisfaction from financial independence, and feel better about spending money that they have earned themselves.

In the survey, a majority of the respondents revealed that they want to prove they can live on their own. Almost half said that financial independence is "cool", and means they don't need to give their parents details of everything they buy.

Li Xinran (pseudonym) bought at least 25 lipsticks during the first two years of her college life. However, Li has grown into a more rational consumer after realizing that money doesn't grow on trees thanks to her part-time job.

“I can afford my daily expenses, and pay my return ticket to get to school,” said Li. Additionally, she often sends money to her parents.

Young adults can gain a sense of social responsibility in the process of pursuing financial independence, said Li Shuai, from the Beijing Institute of Technology.

Those who plan to start working as soon as they graduate can participate in internships or part-time jobs after school to prepare themselves for a career, Li suggested.