Second Classroom
Policy Basis
This page is compiled from the university's "Second Classroom Transcript" system implementation measures (including participation hour allocations, participation/exchange and approval operation instructions). If there are any changes, please refer to the latest documents from the Youth League Committee.
What is the Second Classroom
The Second Classroom is a comprehensive educational system that complements the "First Classroom" (in-class course instruction). While the First Classroom teaches knowledge, the Second Classroom builds skills — referring to various extracurricular activities you participate in outside of class: ideological guidance, labor practice, cultural and sports activities, innovation and entrepreneurship training, physical exercise, growth portfolios, and more.
At Qingdao University, the Second Classroom is not an optional "extracurricular activity" but a mandatory requirement linked to graduation: since the fall semester of 2024, the university has implemented the "Second Classroom Transcript" system, requiring undergraduates to complete 6 Second Classroom credits, otherwise they will not meet graduation requirements.
Its Significance and Purpose
- Implementing National Requirements: Responding to the era's demand to "emphasize and strengthen Second Classroom construction," it is an in-depth exploration of quality education in the new era and an inheritance and innovation of the "College Student Quality Development Plan" [Document No. CYL-Fa [2018] 5]
- Recording the Growth Process: Through a smart platform, activities you participate in and achievements you gain outside the classroom become recordable, assessable, measurable, and presentable on your "Second Classroom Transcript"
- Guiding Holistic Student Development: Guiding balanced growth across six dimensions — ideological and political, labor, cultural and sports, innovation and entrepreneurship, physical education, and growth portfolio — so you're not just a "problem-solving machine"
- Linked to Service and Support: The transcript becomes an important reference for comprehensive quality assessment, scholarship evaluation, party membership recommendation, youth league membership recommendation, postgraduate recommendation, and employment recommendation during your time at the university. At graduation, the transcript is included in your personal file as supporting documentation for job applications and further studies [Document No. CYL-Fa [2018] 5; Article 20 of the New Second Classroom System]
In short: The First Classroom helps you graduate, and the Second Classroom helps you look more "complete" when graduating, while also boosting your scholarship and postgraduate recommendation applications.
Six Course Categories
The Second Classroom offers 6 categories, divided into required and elective:
| Category | Type | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Ideological Guidance | Required | Party classes, Youth League school, Youth Marxist Training Program, themed education, military service, National Flag Guard, etc. |
| Labor Practice | Required | Campus labor, winter/summer social practice, volunteer service, internship training, "Blue Bird Plan," etc. |
| Cultural and Sports Activities | Required | Art performances, speeches and debates, cultural and arts festivals, various sports competitions, etc. |
| Innovation and Entrepreneurship | Required | Academic competitions, innovation and entrepreneurship training projects, papers, patents and software copyrights, professional qualifications, entrepreneurial practice, etc. |
| Physical Education | Required | Junior and senior year PE classes, physical fitness tests, specialized sports skills (Tai Chi, etc.) |
| Growth Portfolio | Optional | Student council, clubs, class and league organization leadership positions |
Second Classroom System (Hours + Credits)
The Second Classroom uses an "hour accumulation + credit recognition" system: you accumulate hours by participating in activities, and once you have enough, you can convert them into credits. You must earn all credits to graduate.
How Hours Are Categorized
Hours come in two types:
- Participation Hours: Automatically recorded by the system after you register for an activity, check in on-site, and pass the organizer's review
- Exchange Hours: Earned by applying to exchange your award certificates and honors each semester (typically recognized once in the first month of each semester, with results publicly announced for 3 days)
Key rules:
- The same content is counted only at the maximum hour level, with no duplicate accumulation
- Team activities: The first-ranked person (leader) receives full hours, other members receive half the hours (rounded up to 0.5 if less)
- Activity level is based on the level of the signing and stamping unit
How Credits Are Awarded
The Second Classroom totals 6 credits, divided into four modules:
| Module | Credits | Recognizing Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Development and Training (Ideological Guidance + Cultural and Sports + Growth Portfolio) | 1 credit | Youth League Committee |
| Labor Practice | 1 credit | Youth League Committee |
| Innovation and Entrepreneurship | 3 credits | School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship |
| Physical Education | 1 credit | School of Physical Education |
Among these, the 3 Innovation and Entrepreneurship credits are what we commonly call innovation practice credits. For details on how to earn these 3 credits, see the Innovation Practice Credits Column.
Hour Requirements
The Development and Training and Labor Practice modules total 2 credits, requiring completion of no fewer than 64 hours of corresponding activities:
- Required items: Labor Practice must be at least 32 hours (of which campus public area labor practice must be at least 6 hours)
- Ideological Guidance and Cultural and Sports Activities each require no fewer than 4 hours
- The combined total of Ideological Guidance + Cultural and Sports Activities + Growth Portfolio must be no fewer than 32 hours
How Hours Convert to Grades
Hours from Labor Practice and Development and Training are converted to scores using standard criteria and entered into the academic affairs system:
| Hours | Converted Score |
|---|---|
| Less than 32 hours | 55 points |
| Exactly 32 hours | 85 points |
| More than 32 but no more than 45 hours | 90 points |
| More than 45 hours | 95 points |
Quick Reference: Hour Allocation Standards (Exchange Hour Reference)
Accumulating hours mainly comes from participating in activities, but you can also "exchange" hours using honors, certificates, and leadership positions. Common exchange standards:
| Item | Exchange Hours |
|---|---|
| National / Provincial / Municipal / University / Department Level Honors | 10 / 8 / 6 / 4 / 2 |
| University-level or above volunteer service / social practice key team approval | Additional 4 / 3 / 2 |
| Student Military Training Instructor | 6 per time |
| Campus public area labor practice per session | 2 |
| Classroom/laboratory cleaning duty (one full semester) | 6 |
| University / Department lectures, themed education activities | 2 / 1 |
| University / Department organizers, staff | 3 / 2 |
| National competition awards (1st, 2nd, 3rd prize, and excellence award) | 10 / 8 / 6 / 5 |
| Provincial competition awards | 7 / 6 / 5 / 4 |
| Municipal and department-level competition awards | Proportionally decreasing |
| Class monitor, Youth League secretary (one year term with passing evaluation) | 8 |
For the complete and precise hour allocation table, refer to the "Qingdao University Second Classroom Transcript Hour Allocation Table." Rules follow the latest annual documents.
How to Participate? Platform Operation Guide
Qingdao University's "Second Classroom" operates on a smart platform, accessible via both computer and mobile phone.
Platform Access
| Platform | Method |
|---|---|
| Desktop | Visit http://ehall.qdu.edu.cn, log in and click "Youth League Committee System" in the "Service Hall" |
| Mobile | Enterprise WeChat Workbench → "Smart Youth League" |
- Username: Student ID for students, Employee ID for staff
- Initial Password: Last 10 digits of your ID card
- The account is the same as the Smart Campus account; if forgotten, you can reset via bound mobile phone or call
0532-85955678for customer service
Participation Hours (Activity) Process
- The activity organizer publishes the activity on the platform and sets the hours
- The administrator reviews and approves
- You register online (registration closes when spots are filled)
- Arrive at the venue — mobile phone QR code scan + location check-in
- After the activity ends, the organizer submits verification (within 7 days of activity completion), and the system automatically records the hours
Note: Once an activity has started or the registration period has passed, registration cannot be canceled; remember to check in during the activity period, otherwise participation will not count.
Exchange Hours (Certificates and Honors) Process
- The student enters "Credit Recognition Management" and clicks "Apply"
- Select criteria → Fill in application information (all required fields must be completed)
- Submit (approval processes differ by type)
- After review by the Youth League branch, department-level leadership review, 3-day public announcement, and university-level filing, hours are recorded
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happens if I don't accumulate enough Second Classroom hours? A: Undergraduates must complete 6 credits by the end of the seventh semester (ninth semester for 5-year programs). These 6 credits are a mandatory graduation requirement. Graduates who do not meet the requirement can make up credits by participating in designated university/department activities before graduation.
Q: Can hours from different award-winning activities be counted multiple times? A: No. The same activity and the same honor are only counted at the maximum level, with no duplicate accumulation.
Q: How are hours distributed for team awards? A: The leader (first position) receives full hours; other members receive half, rounded up to 0.5 if less.
Q: What if I fabricate information in my application? A: Once verified, your personal registration account will be frozen for one semester, and you will be subject to disciplinary action per regulations. Integrity is very important!
Q: What if I go abroad for exchange, join the military, or take a leave of absence? A: After changes in your enrollment status, Second Classroom work will be handled by your adjusted department. If you apply for early graduation, you can submit your recognition application at the same time.
Important Reminder
The Second Classroom is a mandatory requirement and a hard task for graduation — don't think of it as just an "extra credit activity." You can start accumulating hours and achievements as early as freshman year. Don't wait until junior year to rush out of anxiety. Related information follows the latest university documents.