'I am a member of the school's logistics department,' says Liu Jinzi, a 20-year-old freshman at the School of Business Administration, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (GDUFS). 'I have many duties, like inspections to make sure the dormitories are clean. I'm also a reporter for the university's Student Media Centre and a member of the orchestra. Every day after class, I have to practise with the orchestra and attend meetings with the logistics department.

'I also need to do reporting tasks assigned by the Student Media Centre. The workload is overwhelming.'

Ms Liu initially thought that these activities would be a good opportunity to learn and to expose herself to new experiences, but the constant flow of work has exhausted her and threatens to derail her studies.

She says she now regrets getting so involved in extra-curricular activities.

A second-year student's life is even more demanding, as they have to deal with the pressure of open exams on top of studies and school activities.

'I have taken up the post as director of the Student Media Centre and there's loads to do,' says Bruce Lin, a second-year student at the School of Journalism and Communication at GDUFS.

'I have to shoot a video for my school assignment, and prepare for the College English Test, which I have to pass to graduate. All this is very time-consuming, and I only have 24 hours each day.'

Li Heng, vice-president of the students' union at the School of Journalism and Communication, agrees.

'Students who want to excel in both studies and extra-curricular activities must be prepared for a tough challenge,' she says.

'You need to learn to relax and unwind when under pressure.'