TIME TO GROW UP

The new phenomenon also exposes a bigger picture of the gap between education and reality.

In 2016, research company MyCOS showed that students from three of the most popular majors in China - economics, business administration and literature - faced most difficulties in finding jobs. In contrast, students studying history, water conservation, energy and architecture got offers much more easily - not exactly what you might expect.

"We should be aware of the problem behind 'slow employment.' The majors in many colleges and universities are outdated and do not match market needs," said Wei Qi, professor with Xi'an University.

"Schools should reassess their majors, update their courses, and pay more attention to practical skills rather than pure theory," Wei added.

Wang Zhifang worked at a well-known company for years after graduation before starting her own business several years ago. Her own experience has convinced her that under the current education system, fresh graduates need time to plan their careers before jumping into a major commitment to a company.

"Gap years are normal overseas. They spent their time traveling, doing community work and internships, as a way of expanding their horizons," she said.

"While I was at school, I had no plan for my future and made the same decision as the majority of my peers. But I soon regretted it. It would have been much better if I had not been in such a rush and thought it through."