She and Her Girls ep 17 recap/spoilers

Episode 17 recap: High School Girls Fight for Success in the College Entrance Exam

In Episode 17, as the college entrance exam approaches, Director Zhou Shanqun calls in the three high school principals from the county to discuss their plans and goals. Principal Huang expresses his aim to exceed a one-third passing rate, while also striving for a certain percentage of students to enter the 985 and 211 universities. Principal Jiang shares his intention to build on last year's results. When it's Zhang Guimei's turn to speak, she boldly declares that she won't focus on passing rates; her goal is for all the female students to succeed, regardless of whether they aim for top-tier universities, second-tier, third-tier, or vocational colleges.

This declaration leaves everyone stunned. As they leave Director Zhou's office, Principal Huang admonishes Zhang for her unrealistic expectations, arguing that only a small number of students are capable of passing, while the majority are simply there to support the few top performers. Zhang, however, stands firm, insisting that her mission has always been to ensure no student is left behind, rather than just focusing on the high achievers.

Back at school, Zhang picks up her megaphone and shares Huang’s division of students into passers and non-passers with her students, challenging them to consider who wants to be part of the "non-passer" group. The students, full of spirit, assert that they don't want to be non-passers; they want to succeed.

As the exam draws closer, Zhang works tirelessly to motivate everyone to study. The pressure mounts not just on the students but also on the teachers, who prepare intensively. Classrooms and study rooms remain open around the clock, with teachers on rotation to address any questions. The high school girls are determined to face this crucial test of their lives.

However, fatigue soon sets in, and some students begin to crack under the pressure. This feeling spreads quickly, leading many to break down in tears, expressing their desire to quit studying and return to farming instead. Upon hearing this, the teachers plead with Zhang to grant the students a day off. In response, she quietly enters the classroom and writes "Stress Relief Meeting" on the board, allowing the students to express their frustrations and emotions—crying or shouting as needed—for just ten minutes.

Seeing the somber atmosphere, Zhang decides to break the ice by poking fun at herself. She calls herself a tyrant, pushing everyone too hard and appearing foolish to outsiders. Her self-deprecating humor elicits laughter from the students, easing the tension. One student, Gu Yu, shares her own experiences of skipping school, encouraging her peers to overcome difficulties and not regret their choices in life. She passionately leads the group in chants of "Female High School Spirit!" which brings tears to everyone's eyes, including Zhang’s.

Ultimately, the students are reinvigorated and dive back into their studies. The day before the exam, Zhang holds a final motivational meeting. After the solemn strains of the national anthem, everyone recites the school's pledge together. Zhang, filled with confidence, tells the students that the day they’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived and that she’s sending them into battle. She feels no anxiety, knowing how hard they have all worked. The first and second-year students fold paper airplanes to wish their seniors good luck.

On the night before the exam, Zhang personally sharpens pencils for her students, while teachers distribute exam supplies. The high school girls, clad in red uniforms, walk energetically toward the testing venue. As they prepare to enter, Zhang takes a moment to look at her students, controlling her emotions, and calls out powerfully yet softly: "Time to go in!" Inside the examination hall, the students methodically tackle their test papers, while Zhang and the teachers anxiously wait outside.