The Newest TikTok Trends Your Students Love: From corecore to GRWMs
TikTok trends come and go so fast that it’s hard to keep up with which ones are actually trending with students and which ones they already find cringy. Huddle up with us on three of the top trends filling your students’ feeds and their impact.
- ‘Corecore’
- Ancestors Trend
- Get Ready With Me
The Newest TikTok Trends
1. ‘Corecore’
‘Corecore’ videos are a collage of multiple media clips that aim to evoke positive or relieving emotions while also encouraging you to take a break from scrolling. Take #hopecore for example, which is a niche kind of ‘corecore’ video that gives students hope and inspiration.
Picture this: You’ve been on TikTok for hours, seeing the same kind of content over and over again. Then suddenly, a ‘corecore’ video pops up, like an alarm clock waking you up. For students on TikTok, this is happening more and more.
These videos are powerful reminders for students that life is happening outside of their screens and encourages them to take a break from the TikTok “loop”. When students see ‘corecore’ videos, they’re empowered to strike a balance with their devices and take a step back from their devices.
The unique thing about this trend is that students are viewing it less as a trend and more as its own art form. This Gen Z creator goes into depth about why she thinks ‘corecore’ is trending, saying “its purpose is to bring us out of the paralyzing cycle of scrolling through the internet”.
The best way to learn about ‘corecore’ from a student’s perspective is to actually engage with the trend, which is why we suggest watching #corecore in action.
2. Ancestors trend
This wholesome storytelling trend is making everyone on TikTok feel connected to people in the past who would be proud of what they are doing today. The trend is essentially a role-played, hypothetical conversation between you and one of your ancestors as you both talk about the things you’re doing now.
For example, nowadays we communicate on our phones, but in the past, our ancestors could only use pen and paper. Students take comparisons like this and turn them into funny, lighthearted TikTok videos where an “ancestor” is proud of society’s growth.
Reflection, imaginary conversations, a touch of humor, and a feeling of belonging. That’s what the ancestors trend is about.
In this TikTok, a student role-plays as a female ancestor who wasn’t allowed to go to college or university in her day. After the student shares that women are now allowed to enroll in college, the ancestor’s reaction is one of pride and excitement. The wholesome reaction of the ancestors and showing how far we’ve come as a society is what makes this trend so appealing.
By creating their own ancestor trend videos, students have the chance to use their mic for good and spread feelings of pride and connection with other people on TikTok.
3. GRWMs
One, two, three: Look into the camera and start getting ready for the day while simultaneously talking about whatever comes to mind. That’s the typical format of a GRWM or ‘Get Ready With Me’ TikTok. The #GRWM has over 74.1B views on TikTok, so it’s safe to say that this is one of students’ favorite trends because they provide glimpses into other people’s lives, are usually entertaining, and can be calming and therapeutic to watch.
No topic is off-limits when it comes to a Get Ready With Me video. But here are some of the most common types:
- GRWM for school: Features a student going through their morning routine and getting ready for school. These are popular because they create a sense of community among students and can give people inspiration for their own morning routines ☀️
- GRWM storytime: Combines a traditional GRWM video with storytelling about something that has happened in their lives. These videos feel like you’re catching up with your best friend on Facetime📱
- GRWM travel: Shows someone packing their suitcase or bags for an upcoming trip. You get to vicariously live through the TikTokers and “prep” for a vacation ✈️
TSI’s Take
TikTok has proven itself to be more than a place where students can create aesthetic or funny videos. These trends are powerful reminders to students that TikTok, and social media in general, can be positive tools that can empower students to strike a balance, use their mic for good, and find their influencers. Huddle up with your students on how these trends can help students navigate social media by:
- Striking a balance with ‘corecore’ and taking a break from scrolling when one pops up on your feed.
- Using your mic for good with the Ancestors trend by reflecting on and sharing how your ancestors would be proud of you.
- Finding your influencers by following people who talk about inspirational and positive things during their GRWMs.
If you take away anything from these trends, let it be this: Something can be trendy AND meaningful. It can be viral AND powerful. Students are doing more than just staying up to date on what’s popular when they watch or create trendy videos like these. They’re amplifying their voices and shaping their online experiences for the better.
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The Social Institute (TSI) is the leader in understanding student experiences and creator of #WinAtSocial, a gamified, online learning platform that equips students, educators, and families to navigate social experiences — online and offline — in healthy ways. Our unique, student-respected approach incorporates topics like social media, technology use, and current events that have a significant impact on student well-being. Lessons teach life skills for the modern day to inspire high-character decisions that support the health, happiness, and future success of students, while capturing data that provides insights to school leaders to inform school policy and communications, and enable high-impact teaching and a healthy learning environment. For schools, our turnkey technology allows for easy implementation and a comprehensive game plan to support the well-being of school communities. For schools, our turnkey technology allows for easy implementation and a comprehensive game plan to support the well-being of school communities.