Many scholars have emphasized the role of passion and effort in successfully achieving goals, but others have argued that many factors can affect goal achievement. This qualitative study explored Chinese students’ perspectives on how one achieves long-term goals. We conducted individual, in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 13 Chinese university students to capture their past experiences of and perspectives on pursuing long-term goals. A new model in understanding Chinese students’ long-term goal striving was proposed with five elements identified: persistent effort, adaptability, self-confidence, self-talk, and social support. Findings from this study enriched grit research by bringing attention to the role of culture in the conceptualization of goal striving. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.