Learning together

Zhang Qiuyang, from Chengdu, Sichuan province, was once an avid viewer of "study with me" videos. These videos typically feature vloggers setting up their cameras to capture their desks, offering a detailed glimpse into their study routines. Viewers can study alongside the videos, syncing their pace with the vloggers'.

Now in her early 30s, Zhang is part of a growing community of young people embracing the ethos of "lifelong learning".This group includes individuals preparing for postgraduate qualifying exams, civil service exams, and other tests that — if passed — have the potential to reshape their career paths.

Zhang describes herself as someone who struggles with "initiation difficulties". "When I perceive something as difficult — like studying — I become anxious and don't want to start," she explained. "However, watching someone else actively engage in that task through a video helps me realize that it may not be as daunting as I imagined."

About a year and a half ago, Zhang began creating her own videos in this genre and quickly amassed nearly 30,000 followers on the video-sharing platform Bilibili. Through this process, she discovered even greater benefits.

In her videos, she allocates specific times for each study task and regulates her pace using a timer. "Being on camera adds a certain level of pressure and accountability, compelling me to persist even when I want to give up," Zhang explained. "Once I get used to this heightened level of focus, studying becomes much easier."