Peking University, Oct. 15, 2010: Though computer and the Internet are beneficial to users, they can be tempting. Universities such as Capital University of Economics and Business, Huazhong University of Science and Technology and Tsinghua University forbid freshmen to bring laptops to school; yet at PKU, though teachers suggest students not bringing laptops, there is not a strict rule.

Do computers distract our attention from what we are supposed to do?

The con side argues that universities have become nursing homes, and campus the fairground.

"With laptops around, we may not do things which are not compulsory. Otherwise, we probably will do our assignments, practice running for 3000 meters (a required PE test at Tsinghua) and even go to computer rooms to write computer codes."
                    Chen Ran, freshman from Department of Information Management, Tsinghua University

"When I start up my laptop, the Renren Network will automatically run. Then I will waste a lot of time on it. Moreover, shopping online is also fairly time-consuming. Trying to save time by shopping online, I simply end up wasting more."
                    Feng Jiahui, freshman from School of Arts, PKU

"It is easy to start up my laptops but challenging to shut it down. This happens more often after the dorm’s electricity is cut off, which has affected my biological clock."
                     Xiaohui, freshman from School of Arts, PKU

The pro side asserts that it is not the computer's fault but rather the fault of students' indolence.

"Many students have laptops and in our department every student has one. I think that laptops are very necessary for freshmen, for we have to hand in assignments through e-mails. It is not a waste of time to use computers. Besides, we should learn how to search for information on the Internet."
                    Zhang Qianqian, postgraduate from School of Journalism and Communication, PKU

"I spend less than an hour surfing the Internet each day. What I do normally is to download course resources."
                   Yang Zhao, freshman from School of Arts, PKU

"Using my laptop makes my life more colorful and keeps me in a good mood. In my opinion, entertainment does not mean indulgence."
                   Xiaorong, freshman from Guanghua School of Management, PKU

"It is troublesome without a laptop when we select courses. Moreover, as I join many clubs, my daily work would be impossible without a laptop. It is more convenient to use my own computer to do things such as downloading course resources."
                 Xiaorong, freshman from Guanghua School of Management, PKU

"My family lives in Beijing. I took my laptop back home before long lest it should affect my life. But the laptop proved to be indispensible. Finally I had to bring it back."
                Feng Jiahui, freshman from School of Arts, PKU

"Nowadays, computers are necessary for us to make PPTs or write computer codes. Since computer rooms close at 11 pm every day, we have no choice but to make the best of our time. We could read printed PPTs.. Since freshmen are not allowed to get involved in student work, we are not much in need of computers. Although we did not support the regulation as freshmen, now we find it reasonable and beneficial."
               Chen Ran, sophomore from Department of Information Management, Tsinghua University

Conclusion: it all depends on us

It is undeniable that students cannot leave the Internet. However, we must be self-controlled no matter we have laptops or not. What really matters is to have a clear plan for our college life and persistently make efforts to reach our goals.

Edited by: Chen Miaojuan

Translated by: Liu Lu

Source: PKU Youth