Dream-chasing mindscapes: an inquiry into the psychological change process of postgraduate entrance examination candidates.

As a pivotal pathway for talent advancement in higher education, the postgraduate entrance examination not only shapes the depth of individuals' academic engagement and the breadth of career development, but also carries candidates' distinctive trajectories of psychological growth across the long preparation cycle. To explore these trajectories during exam preparation, this study focuses on postgraduate entrance examination candidates and adopts a qualitative research design. Analysis of candidates' preparation experiences shows that their psychological States change dynamically over time: in the early stage, they are often marked by confusion. In the middle stage they tend to slip into anxiety, and in the late stage some candidates respond with composure whereas others become so tense under pressure that they approach psychological breakdown. When confronting confusion, anxiety, and a range of other difficulties, candidates regulate themselves through goal orientation, emotional regulation, and social support, thereby preparing for the examination in a better condition. The preparation experience and psychological growth accumulated by these candidates provide valuable points of reference for subsequent cohorts. Accordingly, drawing on the interview findings, this paper proposes stage-specific recommendations in the hope of offering practical and effective guidance and support for more candidates.