University officials have sent books to newly admitted students, encouraging them to start college life early.

Chen Yulu, president of Renmin University of China, gave two books to each of six newly enrolled students on Monday, admissions open day.

The books are From the Soil: The Foundations of Chinese Society by Fei Hsiao-Tung and a village field research journal written by current students at RUC.

"Since 2012, every summer, more than 1,000 students from RUC pack up and go to 162 China's villages, conducting investigations about China's rural areas...the journal is the work from your alumni," said the president, encouraging new students to start early and participate in the project.

From the Soil, is one of current RUC students' favorite classics.

Tsinghua University president Qiu Yong also sent a book to all newly admitted students, with the admission letter and package.

It is the first time that Tsinghua's president has recommend a book to new students.

The book, Ordinary World, is a novel considered one of the most influential books in China.

China's president Xi Jinping showed an interest in the book in March.