On 24/7, Pham Thi Thuc Anh, donned in her graduation gown, ascended the stage to receive her commendation from the Hanoi National University president. Looking out at the auditorium, she saw her parents beaming with pride, a moment that filled her with emotion and a sense of accomplishment.
"I never imagined I would receive this honor. This achievement is a testament to my hard work over the past few years," the recent English Education graduate from the University of Languages and International Studies (ULIS) said.
Thuc Anh wasn't just the top student in her program; she achieved the highest GPA in the entire university with a 3.91 out of 4. She also earned a 9.6 out of 10 on her thesis and scored an 8.0 on the IELTS exam.
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Pham Thi Thuc Anh. Photo courtesy of the subject |
Pham Thi Thuc Anh. Photo courtesy of the subject
Thuc Anh is an alumna of the English specialized program at Tran Phu Specialized High School in Hai Phong. In 2021, she secured direct admission to university with a third-place prize in the National English Competition for high school students.
Initially intimidated by the many high-achieving students around her, Thuc Anh hesitated to aim for the highest GPA. A score of 7 in her first semester caused her to miss a scholarship. This setback, however, fueled her determination to excel in subsequent semesters.
"I realized I could achieve high scores and class rankings," she recalled, explaining how she then set a GPA goal above 3.9. Despite receiving scholarships for three consecutive semesters, Thuc Anh's GPA dropped to around 3.8 in the first semester of her third year.
"I became overconfident and assumed I would always maintain that position," Thuc Anh admitted.
This lost scholarship served as a wake-up call. Thuc Anh devised a plan for her fourth year, outlining the steps needed to secure a perfect GPA in her final two semesters (7 and 8) and an A+ on her thesis.
In semester 7, Thuc Anh took five courses: four electives and one required course. She researched each course syllabus, sought advice from senior students, and explored Facebook groups for student discussions. With her sights set on teaching, she enrolled in Technology in Teaching, Foundations of Teaching English to Children, Language, Culture, and Society, and Psychology of Foreign Language Teaching.
She prepared for classes by reading materials in advance and completing all assigned tasks. Thuc Anh also created an Excel spreadsheet to track assignments, deadlines, and prioritize tasks using a "traffic light" system: red for urgent tasks, yellow and green for less time-sensitive ones.
Thuc Anh acknowledged the benefit of having meticulous and compatible classmates, which ensured group projects were completed on time and to a high standard.
During her final semester, Thuc Anh balanced her internship with her thesis. Driven by her interest in sociocultural issues, she chose "The Making of a Queer Pop Star: A Case Study of Chappell Roan."
She viewed Chappell Roan not just as a representative of the LGBTQ+ community (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer), but also as someone challenging public perceptions of celebrities within this community. Her research explored the contradictions and expectations they face.
"I consulted Google Scholar and the university library to learn how to structure and present research," Thuc Anh shared, admitting that despite moments of discouragement, she found the research process increasingly engaging.
Dr. Nguyen Thanh Ha, an education specialist leading the International Studies department, supervised Thuc Anh's thesis. Dr. Ha explained that their subcommittee only accepts a limited number of theses each year, six this year, including Thuc Anh's.
According to Dr. Ha, Thuc Anh's initial progress report revealed several issues. However, Thuc Anh's receptive attitude and willingness to learn steered the work back on track, fostering a smoother collaboration.
"The final thesis was complete and fulfilling. I could sense the joy of its creator," she commented.
Dr. Phung Ha Thanh, chair of the thesis evaluation committee, praised the thesis as "innovative and exemplary." She noted that it not only narrates Chappell Roan's journey to stardom but also provides a concise overview of queer history in the US.
Before graduating, Thuc Anh taught IELTS at an English center. She plans to work for a year to gain experience before pursuing a master's degree abroad with a scholarship, aiming to further her teaching and research career.
Binh Minh
