fakenewsproject

[fakenewsproject]

Comes in the next day and your friend goes, "omg, you will never believe what happened yesterday" -_-

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This is way too accurate #collegelife

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I once saw a college ad in a bus that said "Dreams don't work unless you do" Honestly didn't think they meant I work during the weekends too

#college

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That moment when I find myself #doomscrolling on social media or taking a moment to check on the latest vlog but then there's a project due at 11:59pm. Anything similar happen for you as a student trying to balance it all? Let me know below :)

#doomscrolling #youtube #instagram #collegestudent

[fakenewsproject]

#Personal Reflection: College life in the midst of Social Media and Content Creators

Hello Fake News GBC Students! Let's take a closer look at how college life is portrayed on social media and how it compares to the real experience. Keep up with me in this post as we continue to explore the highs and lows of the college experience.

Scrolling through Instagram and TikTok, it's easy to get caught up in the glamorized version of college life (Butera, 2023). From stylish dorm rooms to epic study sessions, influencers make it seem like every day is a party. But is it really? Behind the filters and hashtags, college life is simply not always as glamorous as it seems. From upcoming deadlines to financial stress, there is so much more to the college experience than what meets the eye (Butera, 2023). Let's unpack these themes and get real about the challenges students face.

Let's be for real; Being famous on TikTok means you have a big job on your hands, which is, showing college life as it really is. Most think about about the cool events, however there are also the messy and legit moments that make up our time in college to consider (Haug et al., 2024). Many influencers may not always admit to it, but they know this. They understand that their videos are not only for entertainment; they also shape how current students see college. Some TikTokers have said this themselves, and admit that what they show on their platform affects how people view college (Haug et al., 2024). This is a reminder that being honest is not just important; it is the very essence for making good content online.

Social media is not all fun and games either for the content creators. It comes with its fair share of stressors, such as constantly seeking validation through likes and comments (Haug et al., 2024). The pressure to keep up with the online hype can take a toll on them and the viewers' mental health. So, how do we deal with the stress of social media? We ourselves must make steps to find healthy ways to manage our emotions and tackle our problems head-on. Whether it's taking a break from scrolling or seeking support from friends, there are plenty of ways to navigate the digital world with confidence.

As we navigate through the contrasting worlds of social media and real life, it's important to remember that everyone's college experience is unique. By embracing authenticity and sharing our unfiltered stories, we can bridge the gap between online ideals and reality.

In the end, college is about more than just the highlight reel we see on social media. It's about the messy, beautiful journey of self-discovery and growth that no one else can see (Butera, 2023). So let's celebrate the ups and downs, the wins and losses, and everything in between. Even if I am not right beside you to comfort you during the hard times or laugh during the good ones, please know it is still valid. Here's to the real, raw, and wonderfully imperfect adventure that is college life. Let's keep sharing our stories, supporting each other, and making memories that will last a lifetime.

References:

Haug, M., Reiter, J., & Gewald, H. (2024). Content creators on Instagram—How users cope with stress on social media. Telematics and Informatics Reports, 13. Retrieved from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772503023000713?via%3Dihub

Isabelle Butera. (August 13, 2023). "Millions watch their 'digital diaries': Influencers want to show you what college is really like." USA TODAY. Retrieved from: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2023/08/13/college-influencers-youtube/70567235007/

[fakenewsproject]

"College is not preparation for life, college is life itself."

 John Dewey

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The reality and the truth.

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Reality of college

#reality #college

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Check out our video where we interview four GBC students!

#college #georgebrowncollege #news #Youtube

[fakenewsproject]

#PersonalReflection: Why is college glorified in the media?

Hey guys! I wanted to take some time to shed light on why I personally believe that college life is glorified in social media. This has been on my mind for quite some time so join me in unravelling this question

I spend a decent amount of time on Facebook, Twitter (also known as X now), Instagram, and more recently TikTok. As a college student myself most of my feed on these platforms, through the help of algorithms, have been focused on college life and influencers showcasing to students in high school and individuals thinking about going to college, about how they live their lives on a day-to-day basis. Just as an example, they film themselves in study groups sitting in a café focusing on work while also laughing and having a good time with their peers. Media often emphasizes the social aspects of college on a much-exaggerated level which showcases campus events, parties, and energetic social scenes. Though this shows the importance of socializing, networking, and forming social connections, there is much more behind the scenes than what is shown in a 15 to 30-second post or Instagram reel about an individual’s college experience.

Realistically, this representation convinces people to attend college and to not stop educating themselves after high school. We are young adults and want to always keep a balance between our social life and our academics. In the world we live in, a college diploma or a university degree is quite important to further a career in the corporate world and is at least looked at as a steppingstone to get your foot through the door.

The glorification of college life does not stop with social media, but it continues on within many movies, TV shows, and advertisements we see as well. Actors play the role of students going on a journey whilst developing lifelong friendships and pursuing their dream together. Though this is the gist of what happens, there is a lot more that is not shown on the screen as the reality of it has negatives which people try not to focus on much.

Here is the realism behind it all. There are certainly many challenges and issues that you face being a student in college which social media does not pay too much attention to. Some examples of this are student debt which takes a good percentage of an individual's life to pay off. Mental health is a big challenge for many forcing schools to create programs to help those who need it. Recently more than ever, campus violence has risen to an all-time high as well.

"The pressure to perform, to have the “perfect college experience” and to achieve begins before the college years, setting a stage for the anxiety and depression that can often follow." (Jenna Bucher, 2019). Despite the efforts of counselors in high school, students still do not seem to know how to enter University and how to prepare mentally, or emotionally. Students have to rely on other individuals' past experiences to get a sense of what it will be like. It turns out to be more of a trial-and-error situation.

With all these obstacles students face, I think I know why these are not presented on a higher level. We as students are constantly trying our best to get the best grades possible for a better career post-graduation and to potentially further our education with a master's as well. Being in that kind of situation is quite stressful as your future pretty much depends on your performance. Many tend to drop out as well as they cannot handle that kind of stress and pressure. What social media does is it lighten's the perception of college so students can begin to see the brighter side of things for motivational purposes. I do not completely disagree with the overall portrayal of college but I feel there should be a balance between the positive and the negative to also give individuals more of a reality check.

With everything that students face during college, always remember that we are in this together. We should not only focus on ourselves but also help others so we could grow as a strong community.

References:

Jenna Bucher (2019) The Misconception of College Life: How Popular Media is Making it Worse. Retrieved from https://scholarcommons.scu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1034&context=engl_176

ZOË SKVARKA (2021) AN ORAL HISTORY OF THE MEDIA’S PORTRAYAL OF COLLEGE STUDENTS. Retrieved from: https://www.hercampus.com/culture/media-portrayal-of-college-students-movies-tv-online/

Social Media Habits of College Students (2024). Retrieved from: https://info.mssmedia.com/blog/social-media-habits-of-college-students

[fakenewsproject]

#Personal Reflection: College life in the midst of Social Media and Content Creators

Hello Fake News GBC Students! Let's take a closer look at how college life is portrayed on social media and how it compares to the real experience. Keep up with me in this post as we continue to explore the highs and lows of the college experience.

Scrolling through Instagram and TikTok, it's easy to get caught up in the glamorized version of college life (Butera, 2023). From stylish dorm rooms to epic study sessions, influencers make it seem like every day is a party. But is it really? Behind the filters and hashtags, college life is simply not always as glamorous as it seems. From upcoming deadlines to financial stress, there is so much more to the college experience than what meets the eye (Butera, 2023). Let's unpack these themes and get real about the challenges students face.

Let's be for real; Being famous on TikTok means you have a big job on your hands, which is, showing college life as it really is. Most think about about the cool events, however there are also the messy and legit moments that make up our time in college to consider (Haug et al., 2024). Many influencers may not always admit to it, but they know this. They understand that their videos are not only for entertainment; they also shape how current students see college. Some TikTokers have said this themselves, and admit that what they show on their platform affects how people view college (Haug et al., 2024). This is a reminder that being honest is not just important; it is the very essence for making good content online.

Social media is not all fun and games either for the content creators. It comes with its fair share of stressors, such as constantly seeking validation through likes and comments (Haug et al., 2024). The pressure to keep up with the online hype can take a toll on them and the viewers' mental health. So, how do we deal with the stress of social media? We ourselves must make steps to find healthy ways to manage our emotions and tackle our problems head-on. Whether it's taking a break from scrolling or seeking support from friends, there are plenty of ways to navigate the digital world with confidence.

As we navigate through the contrasting worlds of social media and real life, it's important to remember that everyone's college experience is unique. By embracing authenticity and sharing our unfiltered stories, we can bridge the gap between online ideals and reality.

In the end, college is about more than just the highlight reel we see on social media. It's about the messy, beautiful journey of self-discovery and growth that no one else can see (Butera, 2023). So let's celebrate the ups and downs, the wins and losses, and everything in between. Even if I am not right beside you to comfort you during the hard times or laugh during the good ones, please know it is still valid. Here's to the real, raw, and wonderfully imperfect adventure that is college life. Let's keep sharing our stories, supporting each other, and making memories that will last a lifetime.

References:

Haug, M., Reiter, J., & Gewald, H. (2024). Content creators on Instagram—How users cope with stress on social media. Telematics and Informatics Reports, 13. Retrieved from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772503023000713?via%3Dihub

Isabelle Butera. (August 13, 2023). "Millions watch their 'digital diaries': Influencers want to show you what college is really like." USA TODAY. Retrieved from: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2023/08/13/college-influencers-youtube/70567235007/

#blog #fakenewsproject #reflection #college #media

[fakenewsproject]

"It will be the best four years of your life, they say"

[fakenewsproject]

Should We Trust How College is Portrayed in the Media?

I remember scrolling on YouTube, when I was around 14 to 15 years old. I really wanted to go to college at this time, mainly because the internet sold it so well.

Everywhere I looked, YouTubers would strut down the halls with their decourative backpacks. After class, many of them would go to a local restaurant for lunch. This would soon be followed by a study session at the cafe.

YouTubers made college life look so easy and fabulous. And I really wanted to experience that change because it looked so different from my high school experience. I was looking forward to my college career.

But as soon as I entered college, I noticed that everybody portrayed it to be way easier than it actually was. I remember the late-night study sessions, the struggle that I experienced the days before the midterm or the final exam, and the effort that I had to put in to achieve my academic goals. No one told me about these struggles, as most of the emphasis on college tends to be about making friends, going out to dinner, and living on residence.

Hence, I was incredibly shocked when I felt all of these emotions. I continuously asked myself; "Is college not supposed to be this way? Isn't it supposed to be fun?"

The truth is -- no one really talked about the hard topics which exists amongst current college students. An issue which continues to be neglected amongst the media are the mental health challenges which college students experience. More than 60% of college students meet the criteria for at least one mental health condition (Abrams, 2022). In addition, approximately 27% of college students are also diagnosed with depression (Bryant & Welding, 2023). However, the media rarely portrays this issue in terms of their movies or films. In fact, mental health still continues to be stigmatized within the media (Sales, 2023).

However, I feel that discussions about struggles amongst college students, including mental health, should be talked about more within the media. Hence, students are more prepared for what they would expect once they enter college. This would allow them to seek the appropriate support and realize that they are not alone in their own struggles.

Instead of painting college in a glamorized manner, discussions on challenges, taking on new opportunities, and fostering transparent and open communication should be emphasized more in regards to college life and community. This will perhaps create more impactful change within media, and within college life.

Links below: References Abrams, Z. (2022). Student Mental Health is in crisis. Campuses are rethinking their approach. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/10/mental-health-campus-care

Bryant, J. & Welding, L. (2023, February 15). College Student Mental Health Statistics. BestColleges. https://www.bestcolleges.com/research/college-student-mental-health-statistics/ Saleh, N. (2023, January 16). How the Stigma of Mental Health is Spread by Mass Media. Verywellmind. https://www.verywellmind.com/mental-health-stigmas-in-mass-media-4153888

#college #school #education #life #academics #studies #midterms #exams