By: Erika Morales, Contributing Writer
Among other things, social media can be used as a platform to study. Many students are finding helpful accounts and content to improve their studies.
“YouTube may be an obvious resource because there are so many videos about an array of subjects that students could use for practice or reviewing material,” said Tierra Doughty, a freshman majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Art.
A YouTube channel run by Jasmine, who is a first-year college student that gives advice on studying productive. (Photo Credit: studyquill)
YouTube channels such as StudyQuill and tbhstudying help motivate students to study and give advice on how to improve in academics.
These channels do not only make YouTube videos for students—they also have Instagram accounts referred to as “studygrams”.
Seo runs the tbhstudying channel. Her videos have studying advice that is great for new college students. (Photo Credit: tbhstudying)
“There are many accounts dedicated to studying, the best ways to take notes, college advice… [there are]even people who work in specific professions that [you can]reach out to on Instagram,” said Doughty.
Olja gives advice for law students and explains her struggle studying. (Photo Credit: @andotherlawstories)
Instagram accounts, such as @andotherlawstories, are run by students who are studying law to help keep other law students motivated with their studies. @studyingwithjasmine is a similar account, aimed at medical students.
A YouTube channel dedicated for students to not study alone and keep a timer. (Photo Credit: gutsy studygirl)
It goes without saying that social media still poses a problem. Students are prone to use their devices which distract them from their studies.
“I think social media could be useful study aid in theory, but the way students use it distracts them,” said Doughty. “Many students think they will scroll through Instagram for a quick minute, which turns into 30 minutes.”
When you need to be motivated check out café.studyy on YouTube for aesthetically pleasing videos. (Photo Credit: café.studyy)
Most phones have a setting that provides students a tool to avoid distraction when they need to study for exams. On iPhones, it’s called “App Limits”, while on Androids it’s called “App Timer”.
“I think students need to put their phone on silent for at least 30 minutes while they study. I believe that students should spend a set amount of time focusing on the material and then reward themselves with Netflix and social media time afterwards,” said Doughty.
An Instagram account for medical students run by a medical student who provides advice for students—even those outside the medical field. (Photo Credit: @studyingwithjasmine)
Doughty, like most students, relates to the struggle of studying when unmotivated. “Studying may not be the most interesting thing compared to checking social media, but it is most effective when students both take time to dive deep into the material and take a time out to relax,” she said.
