In late June, Nguyen Thi Bao, an e-commerce student at Trade University, earned her bachelor's degree with an outstanding 4,0/4,0 grade point average (GPA).
"I was not overly surprised as I had been tracking my grades, but I am proud to have achieved my goal completely", Bao shared.
Four years ago, with an A01 combination score (mathematics, physics, chemistry) of 27,5 points, including priority, Bao hesitated when choosing a major. Growing up in Thai Nguyen, where many relatives worked in industrial parks, she initially considered an engineering field for job stability.
However, Bao also found economics interesting, having sold second-hand clothes online since 10th grade. Initially, she imported a few items to test the market. As her customer base grew, she began importing large shipments, personally sorting, photographing, listing, and advising customers. This work not only provided Bao with her first savings but also honed her time management skills.
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Nguyen Thi Bao in her graduation photo at school. Photo: Provided by subject
After careful consideration and encouragement from her family, Bao decided to pursue e-commerce, believing it offered significant development opportunities.
In her first semester, Bao achieved a 4,0 GPA, then maintained this perfect record for four consecutive semesters. From then on, she confidently aimed to graduate with a perfect score.
"The more I studied, the more I would regret if my grades dropped due to carelessness in any subject", she shared.
Bao believes proactiveness and discipline are crucial for academic success. Before each semester, she researched the curriculum and read reviews from senior students about lecturers to select appropriate classes. During lectures, Bao noted content emphasized by instructors and often volunteered as a group leader for major assignments, which allowed her to proactively organize tasks.
Approximately one month before exams, Bao began creating a revision plan, allocating time for each subject and prioritizing difficult ones. Additionally, she systematized previously learned knowledge for review, a process that aids understanding and long-term retention.
According to Bao, many students often seek quick memorization tricks as exams approach. However, given the vast amount of knowledge at the university level, this method is largely ineffective.
"Some syllabi are over 100 pages; if you accumulate knowledge from the start of the semester, exam season will be significantly lighter", she illustrated.
Among her specialized modules, "Website Design and Implementation" was the most challenging yet most engaging for Bao. Students had to build a complete website, including writing code. Without a programming background, Bao self-studied through YouTube videos.
"At that time, I hadn't considered using AI for support, so I figured almost everything out myself", Bao recounted. This process helped her develop programming skills and cultivate self-learning and problem-solving abilities.
Ms. Le Thi Hoai, a lecturer in the Faculty of Economic Information Systems and E-commerce, was impressed by Bao's serious and proactive learning attitude.
"Bao consistently sets clear goals for each semester and subject, then persistently works to achieve them. She always volunteers to speak in class, frequently asks questions to clarify issues, and demonstrates a strong spirit of self-study", Ms. Hoai commented.
Beyond her studies, Bao worked part-time. She tutored and worked as an English center staff member before venturing into an education startup. Starting as a collaborator, Bao gradually took on roles in customer development and care around the Trade University area. This enabled her to cover her living expenses and begin sending a portion of her income home.
Bao plans to continue with her current job. In the future, she hopes to pursue a master's degree in marketing or e-commerce, aspiring to become a university lecturer.
Chau Anh
