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Educators began leveraging trending pop culture in higher education curricula to increase student engagement , though it carried a risk of "alienation" for those not following the trends ( PMC ).
This was the content that got students through the Friday nights they couldn't spend at the frat house. The vibe was nihilistic, funny, and loud.
Short, informative videos about personal finance, study tips, and productivity tools became staples in students' feeds. 5. Social Media Trends: Building Communities Virtually college gangbang 7 20 21 lolly cumshotp1909 min top
The music industry realized that the college demographic discovered new music almost exclusively through social media. Tracks like Olivia Rodrigo’s "Drivers License" and "Good 4 U" became instant anthems, breaking streaming records because they perfectly captured the angst and emotional volatility of the period. Similarly, obscure genres and older tracks—like sea shanties (#SeaShantyTok) or Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams"—became bizarre, unifying trends across student populations. Surrealist and Nihilistic Humor
With social distancing, streaming services became the primary source of entertainment. According to a 2021 UCAS student lifestyle report , students relied heavily on content to pass time. Educators began leveraging trending pop culture in higher
When physical campuses shut down, video games filled the void, serving as digital student unions where friends could hang out, talk, and play.
: Released in May 2021, Rodrigo’s debut album became the definitive soundtrack for the end of the academic year. Tracks like "drivers license" and "good 4 u" resonated deeply with college students navigating heartbreak and angst during a stolen youth. Tracks like Olivia Rodrigo’s "Drivers License" and "Good
Was it TikTok trends? Streaming binge-sessions? Or virtual games with friends?
Student-run podcasts shifted focus from hyper-local campus news to broader lifestyle, mental health, and comedic commentary. Gen Z-favorite podcasts like Call Her Daddy or various true-crime series dominated Spotify charts, while student creators launched localized versions discussing the realities of dating, graduating into a recession, and managing mental health during a global crisis. The Clubhouse Craze
Note: This report is based on retrospective cultural data from social media analytics (TikTok Year End Reports, Spotify Wrapped, Google Trends 2020–2021) and higher education student life surveys.
Video games shifted from a solitary hobby to the primary venue for campus socialization. When students could not meet at student unions or local bars, they met in virtual lobbies.