In the dozens of examination rooms she attended, Feng Yinan stood out among the young students taking the exam with her. At 88 years old, she wore a head full of silver hair. She embarked on her journey of self-study examinations at 72, spanning 16 years and participating in 97 exams.

Feng already holds self-taught undergraduate degrees in law from Nanjing University, engineering management from Nanjing Tech University, and agricultural economics management from Nanjing Agricultural University, all prestigious institutions in Jiangsu province.

"Self-study examinations are the lifelong dream I pursue," Feng repeated when asked why she persisted in taking self-study exams at such an advanced age.

Feng's connection with self-study exams dates back over 30 years. During the early days of China's reform and opening-up, as the society rapidly transformed and there was a high demand for talent in various fields, the self-study examination system advocating for self-learning and educational advancement thrived.

Feeling the call of the times, Feng, who only had a vocational school education then, applied for a self-study examination. However, she had to put her studies on hold due to a busy work schedule. As a mother of two daughters, her busy work and family life consumed all her time, and her dream of educational advancement could only remain a buried seed in her heart.

Time passed swiftly, and upon retirement, enjoying a peaceful and leisurely life with filial children, Feng, who had toiled all her life, found the seed she had planted decades ago beginning to sprout.

She felt compelled to fulfill her lifelong dream. Learning that self-study exams had lenient policies not constrained by age, profession or educational background, Feng boldly registered for the exams. That autumn, at 72, she again picked up the textbooks she had set aside for many years.

It was not easy for her. Besides the challenges of aging, which brought diminished physical and mental capabilities, the rapid evolution of knowledge made it increasingly difficult for her.

Leveraging her professional expertise and work experience at the agricultural and industrial department of Nantong city, Feng applied for the agricultural economics management program at Nanjing Agricultural University in 2009 at the age of 72.

She then consecutively took exams in law at Nanjing University and engineering management at Nanjing Tech University.

When asked about her study "secret", Feng stated that she set a principle to simplify her family life and prioritize her studies.

Feng is strict with herself, "rarely visiting others and seldom taking breaks even on holidays," she said.

Feng gave up senior citizen recreational activities to focus on her studies and never allowed her children to celebrate her birthday.

In 2015, during a trip to the United Kingdom to visit her granddaughter, Feng brought her self-study materials and continued learning in her spare time. Even in 2019, shortly after recovering from a stroke with lingering effects, her top priority was to return to her desk and resume her studies.

With unwavering determination, she planned and finished her self-study exams. Over 16 years, Feng participated in 97 exams, achieving passing grades in 44 subjects.

In March, Feng was awarded her self-study graduation certificate by Guo Kai, vice-president of Nanjing Tech University, and Li Yongjun, deputy director of the Jiangsu Provincial Education Examination Authority.

Guo praised Feng's extraordinary perseverance, surpassing ordinary individuals, and emphasized her as an excellent real-life example and role model.

"Feng holds multiple records in the province's self-study system, including being the oldest examinee to obtain self-study certificates and the highest number of self-study graduation certificates among elderly candidates," said Li.

Feng said: "Participating in self-study exams, continuously improving myself, not only allowed me to fulfill my dreams but also helped me keep pace with the times."

Due to health reasons, Feng has decided to halt her self-study journey, but she intends to continue learning. Now, she spends her days learning to play the piano through her phone, making her later years more fulfilling.

She hopes that her experience of pursuing self-study exams at an advanced age will inspire more young people to seize the opportunity to study diligently and cultivate a lifelong habit of learning.

Guo Jun contributed to the story.