On August 22 and 23, 4,431 undergraduate freshmen of Nanjing University's Class of 2026 gathered at the Gulou Campus, and embarked on a brand-new journey in life with great anticipation.

At the central reception station for freshmen, an electronic screen displayed real-time updates showing the progress and data of student registration. After completing their registration, the students could see their names displayed on the screen and enjoy a personalized welcome message. Many took photos to commemorate their special moment of joining NJU.

For some freshmen, the story of their connection to NJU began years ago. This summer, they reunited on campus to complete the "Dream Promise" puzzle ceremony, continuing their youthful journey together hand in hand.

During the orientation period, Tan Tieniu, Chair of NJU CPC Council and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; and Tan Zhemin, President of NJU and Academician of the CAS visited Gulou Campus to meet the undergraduate students of the Class of 2026 and to extend greetings to the dedicated staff and volunteers working on the frontlines of the new student reception.

Tan Tieniu congratulated and welcomed the new students and their families, distributing orientation materials to them. He emphasized that NJU would devote itself to nurturing students to maturity and success, meeting parents' expectations and trust. He encouraged the new students to see NJU as a new starting point, laying a solid foundation for soaring higher and traveling further, and to contribute their youthful energy to the nation and society. Tan also urged students to respect and support one another, integrate into the "big family" and create precious friendships.

At every orientation site he visited, Tan Tieniu closely examined the progress of the reception work, extended sincere greetings and gratitude to staff and volunteers, and reminded everyone to stay cool in the summer heat. He expressed his hope that they would embody the spirit of NJU, extend warmth to new students, help them become familiar with the campus, and ensure a smooth start to university life.

Tan Zhemin reviewed the orientation work as he toured the campus, spoke warmly with staff and volunteers, and had friendly exchanges with freshmen and their families. He expressed gratitude for choosing and trusting NJU and shared his hopes with the students. At the volunteer service station, volunteers introduced President Tan to the university's unique orientation activity: the "Stroll through Gulou: Campus Walk Postcard.” Tan expressed his appreciation for the volunteers' dedication. Later, he visited the students' dormitories in Jianxiong College, warmly interacting with new students and their families, and extended heartfelt congratulations to the new students and their family members.

Other university leaders, including Lu Xiancai and Li Bin, accompanied the visits along with heads of relevant departments and colleges.

Senior students assisting with the orientation either stood guard at the reception stations, acting as campus guides to help freshmen and their families complete the registration process, or donned red vests and shuttled back and forth to help new students carry their luggage. They formed a vibrant and heartwarming sight amid the lush green campus. Creative orientation activities such as "Campus Walk" led freshmen to explore the campus, discover its history, and unlock a new chapter at NJU.

At the "Green Channel" registration point, special care packages were prepared for financially disadvantaged students. Measures such as travel subsidies and meal allowances offered a bridge of warmth, enabling every student at NJU to start their journey with ease and peace of mind.

The Gulou Campus appeared refreshed and ready to welcome the freshmen and their families. The university set up scientifically planned reception stations and parent rest areas along the campus’s main roads, teaching buildings, library, and dormitories, providing one-stop thoughtful services. These efforts ensured the smooth completion of procedures such as campus card issuance, fee payment, information collection, material distribution, and dormitory registration. Complimentary supplies like warm water, sour plum soup, and yogurt were offered on-site, thoughtfully accompanying the students along their registration journey. Lotus pods from Lizhao Lake became a trendy campus item, delivering greetings from the Xianlin Campus and a touch of summer coolness to the new students and their families.

Gulou District also prepared a special "welcome gift" for the new students. Fraud prevention education, cultural art displays, talent policy explanations, tourism and cultural promotions — these diverse, themed booths offered freshmen not only a glimpse of the city's unique qualities but also interactive experiences like engaging with intelligent robots and fun quizzes to get to know Nanjing and its cultural heritage.

A new chapter has begun. May every student at Nanjing University grow with passion and thrive toward the sun, meeting their best selves on campus and pursuing the ideals in their hearts!