From stress to success: How TikTok’s #StudyWithMe trend is empowering students to excel
TikTok trends are ever-changing, bringing fun to students’ social media feeds. The latest trend, #StudyWithMe, involves students live-streaming while they do their homework and study.
But why would anyone want to live stream themselves studying or doing homework, a task that can be stressful, daunting, and one that some students would prefer not to do at all? Well, this TikTok trend where students live stream their study sessions has turned studying into group work and created a community where students tune in to others’ live streams on social media and do their homework at the same time.
Keep reading to find out more about this trend and how you can set your students up for success this fall:
Who is participating?
VaNessa Thompson, a grad student at Oakland University, uses TikTok to live stream herself doing homework and studying for classes. For context, a live stream is a real-time video streaming on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.
And VaNessa isn’t the only student inspiring other students to study with her. The trend, easily found on TikTok by the name #StudyWithMe, currently has 9.9 billion views.
According to VaNessa, one key goal of using the hashtag and live streaming her studying is to “try to put social pressure on themselves to stay on task and keep up with studying for a set time period.”
Body doubling and #StudyWithMe trend on TikTok
VaNessa started streaming her study sessions on TikTok during the Covid-19 lockdown since her ability to see and spend time with others was limited. Fast forward to today, she has over 13,000 followers on TikTok who tune into her live streams to study with her.
TikTok’s #StudyWithMe trend has been tied back to body doubling – a “technique where you work on a task with someone nearby — either in-person or virtually — as a way to stay focused.” During TikTok #StudyWithMe live streams, the person streaming is the ‘body double’, whose presence is there for accountability and support. It’s similar to having a study buddy in real life, except social media has made it even easier for students to have that sense of community and support while doing schoolwork without having to plan a time to meet with friends or even leave the comfort of their homes.
Real comments from students on different #StudyWithMe videos:
- “This inspired me to study tonight when I really didn’t want to”
- “I love the study TikToks lil motivation for me lol”
- “Motivated me to study for my midterm that is tomorrow”
@lobke.vanoosterom study with me until the sun sets 🌸 #studytok #studymotivation #studywithme #timelapse #studymotivation #studying #digitalnotes #goodnotes5
TikTok’s #StudyWithMe trend is just one trend of many found on social media platforms that helps students with productivity and schoolwork, showing just how powerful social media can be for students when used in a healthy, positive way.
TSI’s Take
In today’s tech-fueled and social media-filled world, students are finding a sense of community and support outside of the people they physically interact with every day. Apps like TikTok, Instagram, and more have given students an outlet to share their thoughts, find support, and feel inspired to finish their homework or study for an upcoming test.
Social media is how students are social, which is why we’ve come up with a list of positive social media trends, like #StudyWithMe, that you can share with your students this upcoming school year.
- Instagram accounts focused on school habits: Instagram has evolved beyond being a place where students only follow friends, influencers, or family members. Accounts like @waystostudy, @studytipd, and @felicitynotes are just some examples of many accounts your students can follow to keep their feeds filled with positive influencers.
- #GRWM high school advice: Older students are sharing their advice and tips for younger students who are transitioning from one grade to another, especially from middle to high school. Starting high school or approaching graduation can be a stressful time for students. This wholesome trend gives students a chance to hear advice and experiences directly from another student. This senior shared her advice for upcoming juniors, and she received tons of comments from students thanking her for her wisdom! This is also key because as we say at The Social Institute, “students can’t be what they can’t see.”
- Affirmations for school: A quick search of “School affirmations” or “Student affirmations” will immediately show your students numerous videos of different positive affirmations they can use to help boost confidence before a stressful exam or project. This student shares some of her favorite affirmations she uses when she studies, such as “I give myself space to grow and learn” and “I am focused on my studies which enables me to get good grades.” For students who don’t have social media, you can also post positive affirmations around your classroom for them to read!
The beginning of the school year, for students of any age, can often feel daunting. They’re adjusting to new classes, routines, new faces, and more. To set your students up for success, share trends like #StudyWithMe with your students. With 95% of students regularly using a smartphone, it’s safe to say they could take advantage of one of these suggestions!
Looking for more resources on helping your students thrive during the back-to-school season? Look no further. Check out our brand new School Playbook: How to help students handle the pressure of taking tests.
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