Halo and Anxiety: The Media Production of 'Model Narratives' in Chinese Universities and Youth Responses

Universities construct and propagate 'model narratives' about outstanding students to guide campus culture and showcase educational achievements. However, these meritocracy-oriented and homogenized promotions are disconnected from students' actual experiences, inducing anxiety, a sense of 'involution' (neijuan), and distrust among the general student body, which can even backfire on institutional reputations. This study, combining textual analysis, online ethnography, and in-depth interviews, analyzes the media presentation of 'model narratives,' youth responses, and their underlying socio-psychological drivers. The findings reveal that the discrepancy between official propaganda and youth experience exacerbates their value confusion. It is imperative for universities to return to their fundamental educational mission and cultivate a more authentic and inclusive environment for student growth.