Changing approach

Despite changes in the approach to schooling over time, the effects of education reforms have persisted. New measures, such as the "double reduction" policy to ease the burden of excessive homework and off-campus tutoring on students, are being implemented for better management of the education system.

"No matter what kind of reform, we should go back to the purpose of education," Zhang says, adding that the documentary is to seek for a potential solution in the field.

After he graduated from the middle school, Zhou enrolled in Peking University as a history major. In the documentary, he says campus life has made him realize that he is an ordinary person.

Zhang says the education the students received in the school has led them to accept who they are.

"Nowadays, there are many students who get into elite universities, like Peking University and Tsinghua University, but they gradually lose their passion for life. Equipped with lots of knowledge, they don't know why they live," Zhang says.

"Entering a good college and landing a good job is a universal target, but no one tells you what to do about the remaining decades of your life," she says, adding that some people are "stuck" because they cannot find their passion in life.

In Dare to Grow Up, Chen finds that film is "her thing". Li is also happy with her life.

Although changes have happened in their school and some other schools in the country over the past 10 years, the discussion about exam-oriented education and quality-oriented education is still on.

Contact the writer at wangqian@chinadaily.com.cn