Student Insider Kailey Jackson on using social media for college success
Kailey Jackson is a 17-year-old senior at Hoggard High School and a Student Insider. She plans to major in sports communications and is passionate about writing, photography, playing the piano, and watching sports. Want to learn more about our Student Insider League? Cool. Click this link.
As a high schooler, I know how nerve-racking it is to decide which time-consuming college application to fill out next, making sure it is completed by the deadline. However, opening the acceptance letter will make the countless hours of stress and anxiety worth it. Social media can help you both prepare for those important four years and pave the future that you want for yourself once you get there.
Once you settle into your new campus, you can begin to incorporate social media into your daily college life.
Five ways to use social media at college
- Promote your school brand – What is better than showing off your school to the rest of the world? No one is able to share a college’s story better than the current students. It is important that people have a positive lasting impression of the school when its name pops up in any conversation. Social media makes this possible by letting you share your experiences with everyone about what specifically makes your school unique. Post pictures wearing your favorite college gear, capture images of monuments and niches exclusive to your school, and record videos of important speakers and events that occur on campus.
- Interact with classmates — College may seem like foreign territory at first, but the use of social media can actually make a campus seem much smaller than it is. It is definitely worth the time to search other students attending the same school. Many colleges already have Facebook and Twitter accounts where students are able to post a short blurb about themselves so others can get to know a little something about them. Interacting with students on social media gives you an opportunity to learn more about their likes and dislikes, and there is a very high possibility that there will be a common bond.
If you are heavily invested in your major, then feel free to show off your work to everyone. Create blogs, articles, and posts that connect to it.
- Create content that relates to your interests — Social media is a great outlet for you to share what you do with the rest of the world. The variety of majors offered at colleges are endless, and if you are heavily invested in your major, then feel free to show off your work to everyone. Create blogs, articles, and posts that connect to it. The engagement rates will rise the more you post. Your passion about the content you put out on a regular basis can even help educate others on something they are not aware of.
- Follow the university athletic accounts — In college, it is no secret that students, whether fans or athletes, have a strong passion for their sports teams. Attending athletic events is a great way to exhibit your school spirit and meet new students. Stay updated with game times, live scores, and results by following all of the athletic accounts on social media. Show support for your team by tweeting during a game, and using engaging hashtags after an exciting victory. It will definitely generate traffic on the university sites — meaning more people are taking time to look at your school.
Don’t be afraid to ask alumni questions through social networks about their previous experiences in college.
- Get connected with alumni — It is possible that you first heard about your school from someone who previously attended it. Social media provides a platform for graduates to share with current students their accomplishments, stories, and traditions at the university. So, don’t be afraid to ask alumni any questions through social networks about their previous experiences in college. Connect with them by messaging them on Facebook or LinkedIn, tweeting questions, or tagging them in posts to grab their attention. Alumni will be more than happy to reach out to you, offer advice, and even link you to a potential job that you may be interested in. The more alumni that you connect with, the more opportunities will follow.
These are just a few of the many ways to use social media to make your college experience easier and rewarding. After all, college is considered by many to be the best years of your life, and adding social media into the mix can help prepare you for the years to come!