Navigating the first year of Chinese studies with Professor Kong can be a wild ride! This tier list captures the essential experiences, from mastering HSK vocabulary (the red book is a must!) and deciphering tricky grammar to the inevitable moments of forgetting words during exams or even dozing off in class. Are you acing your listening and speaking skills, or struggling with written exams? Do you find yourself prepared with current events and cultural insights, or just trying to survive by writing Pinyin? Dive in to see where your first-year Chinese journey ranks, from the triumphs of understanding literature to the relatable struggles of answering your professor's questions.