Reflections: 40 Year College Reunion

It has been 40 years since I first walked through the gates of Peking University in 1985 to study physics. In May 2025, nearly 100 of us gathered in Portland, Oregon to celebrate our 40-year reunion. Seeing so many once-familiar faces—now older, wiser, and even more radiant—was deeply moving.

Many classmates shared memories of our student days. Interestingly, a recurring theme was how disconnected our current careers are from what we studied in college. Geology majors now working in finance, law students turned real estate agents—life clearly has its own path. I myself have received my Ph.D in computer engineering and worked in the semiconductor industry all these years. It makes you question whether all those sleepless nights spent studying for exams and chasing perfect grades were really worth it. In hindsight, the degree often served more as a signal of capability than a toolkit for the future. It opened doors but didn’t necessarily define our contributions to the world.

One thing that stood out was the number of classmates who have already retired. Those who run their own practices—like dentists—often keep working, enjoying the autonomy and flexibility of being their own boss. Others who spent decades at a single company continue until they decide it's time. Those of us who changed careers along the way may be more attuned to life’s transitions. Many have stepped away from the corporate world, yet continue to contribute, explore, and stay fully engaged. Retirement has definitely brought many the joy of travel, whether it's leisure trips or rugged backpacking.

One classmate, in particular, became the star of anything related to hiking. With her graceful long hair, fashion sense, and boundless energy, she brought elegance even to the roughest mountain trails. Many of us sought her advice on how to pack light and still look fabulous. Another classmate flew a drone to capture stunning footage of the landscape, while others produced beautiful reunion videos that will become treasured keepsakes.

What struck me most, though, was how much our definition of “success” has changed. It’s no longer just about career accomplishments. Health, happiness, peace of mind—these have taken center stage. The intense competitiveness that once drove us has softened into mutual appreciation and connection. We’ve realized that perhaps the most valuable outcome of our time at Peking University wasn’t just the education—it was the friendships we formed and the community we built. With each passing year, those bonds become even more precious.

1985年，我首次踏入北京大学的校门，开始物理专业的学习。转眼四十年过去了。2025年5月，我们近百位同学齐聚美国俄勒冈州波特兰，举行了四十周年同学聚会。看到那么多熟悉的面孔——如今已年长、睿智，甚至比当年更加光彩照人——令人感动不已。

许多同学分享了当年求学时的点滴回忆。有趣的是，大家普遍提到一个现象：如今的职业道路与当年所学的专业常常毫无关系。有学地质的如今在金融业工作，有学法律的成了房地产经纪人——人生果然自有它的发展轨迹。我本人获得了计算机工程博士学位，并在半导体行业工作多年。回头看，那些为考试熬夜、追求高分的日子是否真的值得？从现在的视角看，大学学历更多时候是能力的一种“信号”，而不是直接通向未来的工具箱。它为我们打开了很多大门，但并不决定我们对这个世界的贡献。

另一个引人注目的现象是，已经“退休”的同学不少。那些拥有自己诊所的——比如牙医——往往还在继续工作，享受着作为自己老板的自主与自由。而在同一家公司长期任职的同学，也大多选择继续坚持到某个时机到来。那些在职业生涯中曾转轨过的人，似乎对人生的变化更加敏感和适应。他们中有很多人已经离开了传统的职场，但仍在积极地创造、探索与投入。对许多人来说，“退休”反而带来了旅行的乐趣——无论是轻松的休闲之旅，还是艰苦的背包远足。

其中有一位女同学，堪称我们登山组的明星人物。她留着优雅的长发，衣着讲究，精力充沛，即使是在最崎岖的山路上也不失风采。很多人向她请教如何在轻装的同时仍保持时尚得体。还有一位同学操控无人机拍摄令人惊叹的自然风光，几位擅长拍摄与剪辑的同学也制作了精美的聚会视频，成为我们珍贵的回忆。

而最让我感触深刻的是——我们对于“成功”的定义已经发生了根本性的变化。它不再只是事业上的成就。健康、幸福、内心的平静，这些才是真正被大家所看重的。曾经那种你追我赶的竞争心态，已被彼此之间的欣赏与理解所取代。我们终于意识到，也许北大时光给予我们的最大财富，并不是课堂上的知识，而是这些深厚的友谊和彼此之间建立的社群。随着时间的流逝，这份情谊愈发显得弥足珍贵。