Social networking amongst university students
For any student, preparing to go to University can be an equally exciting and daunting time. For many, it’s their first taste of living away from home for the first time – and certainly the first time they aren’t in such a close-knit educational environment. For some, this freedom is more than welcome, while for others, it can be one of the scarier parts of becoming freshmen. For modern Uni students, however, there is one constant that can be reassuring when it comes to both integrating into University life and making new friends and connections, social media.
Social networking is a crucial part of many of our lives, and if you’re a student now making your way through your final months of college or sixth-form education, then you’re more likely than most to spend at least a good portion of your life online. In fact, in 2019, the average UK users spent as much as 1 hour and 50 minutes each day on social media. With only 24 hours in a day, that’s more significant than you might think. For those of Uni-age, social media generally revolves around platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook and even TikTok, though that often appeals to a younger demographic.
But does social networking help students to form real connections with real people, or can it be a problem when it comes to integrating with a brand-new environment? Perhaps it’s the platforms that students choose to use that makes the difference. We take a look at the benefits and concerns social media brings, and why social media is so influential in new communities as a whole.
The benefits of social media for students
Social media has effectively taken over the world when it comes to the ways we communicate, connect with and even view other people. It has taken the mystery out of anything from what your flatmates will be like in Halls to who the other people are that hang out at the local student spots. While, for some, the idea of social media allowing people to know all about you before they even meet, you can be a scary thought, there are benefits to this too. It’s no surprise that University can be a lonely time for many students, especially if you’re travelling to a different part of the country you don’t know well. Social media is a fantastic way to connect with other students before you even make that move, allowing you to form bonds and friendship with others that are into the same things as you – or even in the same class.
Many Universities are now pushing the use of social media groups and pages to provide information to students as well as providing a shared place for them to meet virtually. In reality, this is just the next evolution of the use of common rooms and student bars as meeting areas during freshers week, providing students with a way to meet with fellow students on their terms. Not everyone is into the hectic rush and often drinks-heavy style of many freshers events, so social media provides a way to make those connections without putting yourself in uncomfortable situations. Finding new friends is an integral part of student life, and the use of platforms like Instagram and Facebook is the first step to opening those lines of communication.
Concerns surrounding social media use
There are plenty of benefits to social media use for students. Still, it’s also worth noting the problems with many of the most popular and well-used platforms available to Gen Z. Especially when it comes to platforms like Instagram; there’s an overarching concept that you should be showing off the best aspects of your life when it comes to what people can see of you online. This can lead to low self-esteem in the worst instances, making social media a serious subject for many. Whether or not that image reflects the actual truth of your day-to-day life. This concept can quickly lead to greater isolation in already lonely students if these platforms are used in the wrong way, so it’s essential to have a proper perspective and take other people’s profiles with a pinch of salt.
Social media, when used in excess, can be a crutch that leads to less active socialisation. Choosing to instead use social media as a launching point for offline conversations, meetups or real-world events is a great place to start, but getting too sucked into the world of online messaging and communication can be counterproductive in the long term. Striking a balance is your best bet to get the most out of social media without sacrificing the ability to form new friendships and start new conversations. For example, using social media before meeting your study group or other students in your class is a great way to get started – but once those introductions are made, moving that conversation into real life is the best way to form those strong bonds.
Is social media good or bad for university students?
So, when it comes down to it, is social media a good influence or a problem for Uni students? It depends on what you use and how you use it. Too much time spent on Instagram and similar ‘snapshot’ platforms can lead to feelings of isolation, so instead of spending hours scrolling through your feed hop on a different platform when it comes to making connections with fellow students. Responsibility is key to ensure social media is a great tool and not an ongoing problem. Responsibility is key to ensure social media is a great tool and not an ongoing problem.
The new VYBZ platform is explicitly designed for students, allowing them to form fun new communities on their terms. The app acts as a virtual introduction to fellow students, making it that little bit easier to strike up a conversation and encourage in-the-moment connections. Run specifically through select venues, VYBZ locations include student unions, coffee shops and more – providing a brand-new way to make friends and banish those lonely feelings quickly and easily. Currently, under testing at the University of Leeds, there are plans to roll out this innovative new way to connect students in the near future – so keep your eyes peeled.
To find out more about VYBZ, and the benefits it can provide to your University, contact us today.