First W: What? What are you fighting for? Students need to specify the goal. Goal is lighthouse, and should be your effort direction.
Second W: Where? Where are you heading for? How far can you make it? There are two meanings: First, we can go as far as the distance we can think of; Second, we need to plan our lives. We need to think what we can become after four years of college. To be more specific, will I further study, find a job, or go abroad?
Third W: Why? Why do we go to college? What is the meaning of life? I think you need to have a bigger dream, to change and improve yourselves through study so as to contribute to the society and benefit your family.
The H: How? How to achieve the goal? You need to make your college life colorful and orderly. The biggest challenge is self challenge. We should keep our passion and dream, and better ourselves through self-challenge.
- President Sun Qixin at 2012 Opening Ceremony

Four “Build”s
To build morality. The primary mission of college is to cultivate morality and talent. Not only do we pass on knowledge and techniques, we need to develop comprehensive talents with complete characters, high morality and social responsibilities.
To build learning ability. Students’ basic task is to study. Study is a significant responsibility and mission. You should actively learn hard and focus on developing your leaning ability, independent thinking, creative thinking and scientific attitude, so as to contribute yourselves to the establishment of innovative country.
To build faith. Any fulfillment of dreams needs a firm and proactive heart. Only those with strong ambition and innermost being can they become independent in their lives.
To build kindness. Honesty, sincerity, tolerance, gratitude, and sympathy, etc. are all necessary good qualities, and required characters of modern college students. We need to become kind and sincere gentle people.
- President Sun Qixin at 2012 Opening Ceremony

Self-confidence, Self-improvement, and Self-respect
Self-confidence. Self-confidence is the most important and inspiring motive. It is the base for all successes. You need to believe in yourselves and believe your values. You should always endeavor to be the best of yourselves.
Self-improvement. "The man of honor will strive constantly for self-improvement" (from Book of Changes). Whenever you run into difficulties, do remember our school motto of “Honesty, Simplicity, Bravery, Persistence”, and keep optimistic, instead of blaming others. You should persist pursuing excellence and achieve the goal of your life.
Self-respect. Only those respecting themselves can earn others’ respect. You should know knowledge is more important than fortune, and virtue is more valuable than ability. You should always keep high moral consciousness and graceful interests to constantly improve your innermost being and personality charm.  
- President Sun Qixin at 2012 Postgraduate Commencement and Degree Granting Ceremony

Translated by: Rui Zhao
Proofread by: Xianhui Yan