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."