After 3.5 years of study at Foreign Trade University (FTU) in Hanoi, Anh, a student in the High-Quality Program in International Economics reached a cumulative GPA of 3.99/4, graduating with Honors and becoming the student with the highest score in the early graduation period of 2026.

Out of 50 subjects (137 credits), Ngoc Anh had only one subject with a B grade, while the rest were all A's. 

Anh said she was very happy with the results achieved but also felt a bit of regret because she was only 0.01 points short of a perfect score. 

“However, that helps me remain humble and focused, realizing that knowledge is infinite and always needs continued cultivation. After all, I don't dwell too much on 'missing 0.01,' but rather clearly understand my own capacity and maintain discipline throughout a long journey,” Ngoc Anh said.

Compared to previous levels of education, university has almost no “clear boundaries” regarding exam content, especially for subjects with high practical application.

For her, the most important thing is to focus on “the right task for the right hour.” 

“At Foreign Trade University, students participate in many activities, clubs, competitions, and there are times when many deadlines arrive at once, and several courses run simultaneously, so we must prioritize what matters most.”

She added that paying attention in class helps save a lot of revision time, as key “keywords” in lectures help capture the core of each subject.

Ngoc Anh also keeps up with economic, financial, and social issues. “Many subjects include open questions linked to real-world issues, and lecturers often bring up current topics for discussion. Memorizing textbooks is not enough; we need to connect, analyze, and express personal viewpoints,” she said.

She also realized that subjects are interconnected rather than separate. “When we understand the bigger picture, we can connect knowledge across subjects, making studying more effective and exams less stressful,” she explained.

Actively contributing in class discussions, she noted, not only improves focus and understanding but also helps accumulate bonus points, reducing pressure on final exams.

She believes having a group of friends to share materials and expanding networks with lecturers, peers, and senior students are also beneficial for both study and future development.

Beyond the degree

In addition to academics, Ngoc Anh served as Deputy Head of Communications for the High-Quality International Economics student community in the 2023–2024 academic year, and was part of the organizing team of the university’s Photography Club in 2023–2024 and 2024–2025.

She received the Outstanding Student Award of Foreign Trade University for the 2024–2025 academic year and was recognized as a “Five-Good Student” at the city level in both 2023–2024 and 2024–2025. She also earned the university’s Academic Encouragement Scholarship for all six out of six semesters.

Additionally, Anh achieved several other accomplishments, including the Third Prize in the National Finals of the 2023 Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship, and Champion of the Data Science Talent Competition organized by Foreign Trade University.

She is also eager to participate in volunteer and charitable activities. Each experience helps her mature and become more confident. 

“Participating in activities, I not only enjoy entertainment and many beautiful memories with everyone, but also improve my soft skills such as time management, communication, problem-solving, and leadership ability,” Ngoc Anh said.

Ngoc Anh said that a university degree with Honors is a proud milestone, a testament to her process of adaptation and effort. However, she does not view it as the destination, but only as a starting point for the next journey. 

“I think when stepping out into the outside world, the true value will lie in how I can apply what I have learned, how fast I can learn, and what impact I can create. I cherish this result but also do not want to be limited by it. The degree is like a foundation helping me have the opportunity to step into better environments, but to go further, I still need to continue learning many things,” Ngoc Anh said.

Thuy Nga