Life was pretty fantastic with our babysitter, Emily, around. My partner and I could enjoy nights out, sipping drinks with the kind of ease only parents with stellar childcare can enjoy. But as August wrapped up, it meant Emily was heading back to school, which put a damper on our social calendar. I added her on Facebook and followed her on Instagram, vowing to keep in touch until next summer.
“Hey, can you come here for a second?” A few weeks into October, my partner was sprawled on the couch with the laptop, his brow furrowed in deep thought. I wandered over to see what had his attention. “Look at this,” he said, swiveling the screen towards me.
And there she was. Our Emily. On Facebook. Holding a cigarette. Posing next to a bong. Decked out in a crop top and shorts. Kissing both a girl and a boy at the same time. #awkward.
While I was racing to click “unfollow” to escape this reality check of a college student’s life, a recent article in Time indicated that high schoolers nationwide are actively following these unfiltered accounts—mostly on Instagram now—as a way to narrow down their college choices.
One student shared with Time, “It’s like getting a tour from a real student who isn’t being paid to show you around or recite what the admissions office wants you to hear. It’s a genuine glimpse into college life.”
If that made you a bit anxious, you’re not alone. But when you think about it, it’s actually pretty clever since Instagram launched in 2010, allowing the class of 2015 to document their entire high school experience. Finding college students doing the same is simply the next logical step. How else can they discover where the cool kids hang out, who has the coziest dorms, and the best nights to hit the town (hint: usually Thursdays)?
Curious about how to stumble upon these unofficial accounts? Start by checking the college’s official Instagram page, then dive into geotagged locations and school-specific hashtags. You’ll be greeted with a torrent of images shared by real students. And if that last sentence left you scratching your head, maybe it’s time to consider applying to college. #justsaying
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In short, social media has transformed the way prospective students view colleges, making it easier to get an authentic feel for campus life before they even step foot on campus.