Zhan Xuan: While online stardom can be fascinating, it’s vital to maintain a balanced perspective and prioritise building a strong academic foundation.
EVEN though its dense content and lengthy chapters could be daunting for others, biology has always been my favourite science subject since primary school.
When the Covid-19 pandemic happened, it caused many disruptions to my daily life but also brought about positive change.
I began dabbling in content creation in 2021 and eventually set up a YouTube channel that delves into the fascinating world of biology, mainly covering the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) syllabus.
My aim was to make biology more accessible and engaging for students from different backgrounds worldwide, as I became increasingly aware of the global educational disparities.
This awareness, coupled with the United Nations’ call for quality free primary and secondary education for all, ignited a passion within me.
Could I use my knowledge and interest in biology to make a difference, even in a small way?
Starting the “Biology with Zhan Xuan” channel was a leap of faith. Transforming imagination into reality required not only creating content but also navigating the unfamiliar world of publicity, online promotion and marketing.
It was tedious but necessary, as it is one of the few methods to grow the channel.
The initial lack of viewership was disheartening. Still, the support of friends and family, along with positive feedback from viewers and supporters, fuelled my determination to move forward.
As time passed, I received more publicity and the channel grew gradually without marketing, even drawing attention from my high school Biology teachers.
The journey wasn’t only about creating engaging videos; it was a lesson on commitment and patience.
From video editing and promotion to understanding basic business principles, every step offered numerous valuable real-life lessons that school had never taught me.
Down the road, I learnt not to give up because of mean comments; instead, I focused on those who were supportive of me.
This led to the channel’s participation in the YouTube Partner Programme, which provided insights into revenue, taxation and analytics.
Looking ahead to the future, my goal for this channel, which now has over 4,000 subscribers, is to reach wider audiences and deepen its impact on the education field.
I intend to continue building a supportive learning community and creating content that empowers students.
Witnessing the positive feedback from students in my community, their outstanding results, and the difference made in their academic journeys is incredibly rewarding.
It provides an almost 1:1 replication of the teacher experience in physical schools.
Social media undeniably influences various career aspirations, with many young people drawn to the allure of becoming online influencers.
This path can have innumerable impacts on individuals, potentially encouraging them to be more outspoken or develop certain characteristics.
However, while online stardom can be fascinating, it’s vital to maintain a balanced perspective and prioritise building a strong academic foundation.
In the 21st century, education is still essential to ensure an equitable society in the expanding technological future.
As youths, we must continue learning and apply what we have learnt to make more significant choices for the future of humanity.
The story of my channel is a testament to the transformative power of online platforms, and to how passion and knowledge can create powerful learning experiences for both others and oneself.
It’s a journey fuelled by the desire to learn, share, and positively impact the world around us, one lesson at a time.
Zhan Xuan, 17, a student in Kuala Lumpur, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. For updates on the BRATs programme, go to facebook.com/niebrats.
