Known as “The Midnight Craftsman,” Qiu Tianen has spent countless late nights perfecting his craft. Guided by the belief that there is always a reason to make it till dawn, he turns editing into a language of growth and self-discovery. In this talk, he shares how perseverance and passion can illuminate even the darkest hours. Andy Qiu10th Grade StudentDuring junior high school, my homeroom teacher often emphasized the harsh realities of social competition. He repeatedly stressed that we had to study extremely hard to get into a top high school—only then could we stand out among the millions of students taking the National College Entrance Examination. Yet, this was only the first step toward becoming the best of the best.After the high school entrance examination, I began to feel confused about the meaning of education and learning. It was then that I learned about international curricula. After attending an information session, I became deeply excited about the possibilities that an international education could offer. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx