To help first-year students integrate quickly into university life and ease any sense of unfamiliarity or distance among them, QMES hosted an icebreaker event. Guided by the Student Affairs Department of the NPU Party Committee and the Student Mental Health Education Centre, the event was planned and carried out independently by each class. The icebreaker event featured a range of well-designed team-building games and interactive sessions, with senior student volunteers providing support and guidance to help new students break the ice quickly and build closer connections.

On 11 October, Class QM012501 held an ice-breaking activity in Room 105, East Teaching Building B2. The activity began with a class meeting themed “Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the World Anti-Fascist War”. This was followed by “Werewolf” and other interactive games, which encouraged lively thinking and helped students become acquainted more quickly. The warm atmosphere helped break down barriers between classmates and contributed to a more relaxed and harmonious class environment.

On 10 October, Class QM012502 conducted an ice-breaking activity in Room 106, East Teaching Building C. The activity consisted of three parts: “Two Truths and a Lie”, a story chain game, and a time-capsule session. During the first session, the class monitor’s remarks quickly enlivened the atmosphere. In the story chain game, students demonstrated strong teamwork and rapport. In the final time-capsule session, students carefully wrote down their hopes and expectations for the class. The activity enabled students to gain a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of one another.

On 28 September, Class QM012503 organised an ice-breaking activity in Room 206, West Teaching Building B2. The activity began with an introduction from the class’s mental health representative. Students then participated in musical performances, singing, and a team-building game of “Pictionary”. The activity concluded with a summary from the mental health representative, who also offered tips on managing personal mental well-being.

On 16 October, Class QM012504 conducted an ice-breaking activity on the playground of Yuntianyuan Student Dormitory Area. The activity began with self-introductions and a fun quiz, allowing students to get to know one another. This was followed by a teamwork fitness game on the track to develop coordination and rapport. In the evening, the group dance imitation and creative pose displays added to the enjoyment. The activity effectively broke down barriers and strengthened team cohesion, laying a solid foundation for the class’s future activities.

On 21 September, Class QM012505 held an ice-breaking activity in Lecture Hall 410, East Teaching Building A. The programme included “Two Truths and a Lie”, group collage tasks and teamwork challenges. These varied activities helped to facilitate interaction and communication among the students.

On 21, 27 and 28 September, Class QM012506 organised a series of group activities in classrooms of the East Teaching Building and at outdoor venues. The programme began with a class meeting, followed by a range of interactive games that brought classmates together, strengthened shared understanding, and fostered a stronger sense of belonging within the group.

On 25 September and 11 October, Class QM022501 held two ice-breaking sessions in Rooms 413 and 410, East Teaching Building A. The first session featured student self-introductions and practical tips on campus life shared by the class tutor, helping to build rapport and familiarity among classmates. The second session included a sharing of study experiences, an introduction to the class rules and motto, and a game in which students guessed captions for emoji memes. The session concluded with remarks from the class monitor and a group photo. Both sessions concluded successfully, effectively promoting the class’s cohesion and its positive development.

On 27 September, Class QM022502 organised an icebreaking activity at Sichuang Space within the Haitianyuan Student Dormitory Area. Wang Tianshuo, Class Mental Health Representative, began by explaining the purpose of the activity and conveying the relevant university requirements. This was followed by student self-introductions and activities such as “Pass the Parcel” and a group singing of the class song. The activity helped students experience a harmonious class atmosphere and effectively supported both class development and the students’ mental well-being.

On 24 September, Class QM022503 held a class presentation-themed meeting in Room 105, East Teaching Building C. Students brainstormed together to finalise the division of tasks for the class emblem and uniform design, as well as the format of the presentation performance. The discussion fostered friendship among class members. On 20 October, the class held a follow-up session in Lecture Hall 410, East Teaching Building A, where they rehearsed the class song, discussed performance techniques, and completed the recording of the presentation video. The collaborative process further strengthened class cohesion.

On 20 September, Class QM022504 conducted an ice-breaking activity in Room 411, East Teaching Building A. Through a series of fun games and team-based tasks, the newly arrived students quickly overcame initial unfamiliarity, filling the room with laughter and lively interaction. The activities effectively strengthened mutual understanding, communication, and team cohesion and solidarity among students, laying a solid foundation for future collaboration and friendly exchanges.

On 15 and 17 October, Class QM022505 organised an ice-breaking activity in Lecture Hall 410, East Teaching Building A. The activity was centred on board games and experience-sharing sessions by senior students, receiving active participation and enthusiastic responses from the students. The activity successfully broke the ice and helped the class members quickly get to know one another and build a shared understanding.

On 28 September, Class QM022506 held an ice-breaking activity in Room 203, East Teaching Building D2. Through games and other activities, students were able to get closer to one another and overcome initial unfamiliarity. The activity not only demonstrated NPU’s commitment to student mental health but also strengthened class cohesion.

The icebreaker event successfully provided the Class of 2025 with a platform for communication and effectively eased the students’ initial discomfort and unfamiliarity with entering a new environment. These energetic new students are expected to carry forward the positive spirit and sense of unity fostered during this first meeting, create their own remarkable achievements on campus, and work together towards a bright and promising future.

Text: Mental Health Representatives from QMES’s Class of 2025 and Wang Ruixuan

Photo: Mental Health Representatives from QMES’s Class of 2025

Editors: Zhu Yuyue and Ma Huili