Students Beware: What’s Wrong with Studygram and Studytube

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Many people find studying challenging. It’s difficult to stay motivated and focused for long periods, and students are often surrounded by distractions, even at home.

One perfect example of a distraction is clutter. Students who are surrounded by chaos in their study area won’t stay focused and productive.

 

Another example of distraction is screen time. In the U.S., children ages 8 to 12 have an average daily screen time of 4 to 6 hours, and teens have a higher screen time of nine hours. Students can scroll through their Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts for hours, preventing them from getting anything done for school.

Ironically, students also get their motivation to study through social media. This is where study gram and study tube come in handy. These words amalgamate the word “study” and the last syllable of the social media platform where contents are published: Instagram for “study gram” and YouTube for “sturdy tube.”

The Purpose

The purpose of Studygram and Studytube is to motivate oneself when studying and to inspire others to do the same. Most Instagram posts with the “study gram” hashtag are photos of study notes or a desk setup.

Most study videos on YouTube are about organizing notes, time management strategies, and productivity hacks. There are videos about taking college entrance exams and finding affordable universities with outstanding academic programs.

Given this context, it’s easy to see why people, particularly students, are drawn to Studygram and Studytube. The content gives them practical tips they can use to improve their study habits. They also learn new things that they can apply to their studying process to achieve better academic results.

There are also hour-long “study with me” videos of people studying silently: writing notes, flipping pages, and highlighting text. This idea seems to have originated in South Korea. These videos are popular because they give viewers a sense of companionship, which can be motivating. This is especially useful when students are forced to study independently during the pandemic.

The Problems

Studygram and study tube are both helpful and inspiring. But as with anything, there will always be pros and cons.

Impractical Strategies

Each person learns differently from others. Many study tubers rewrite their notes on camera and use different pens. They use color coding in their messages. Some even use calligraphy skills to add accents to their notes and make them more visually appealing.

There’s nothing wrong with rewriting notes. For some, it helps them retain information more easily. However, the further use of colored pens, highlighters, and stylized writing can be impractical and inefficient in the long run.

Looking at aesthetically pleasing notes can indeed be motivating. They might make students more likely to read their notes, and having pretty notes can also give students a sense of accomplishment. But in the end, having Instagram-worthy lecture notes isn’t the key to getting good grades in school. It’s still about focus and dedication. Students should focus more on the substance of their notes rather than their aesthetic appeal.

Expensive Trends

The study gram and study tube audience ranges from middle school to college students. Most of them are at a highly impressionable age. So, if they see their favorite influencer using particular stationery or study tools, these viewers may feel pressured to purchase them to “fit in.”

However, many of these tools are not affordable. For example, some Studygram influencers use an iPad and an Apple Pencil to take notes. Sure, using an iPad for notes has many advantages. However, because of Studygram and Study Tube, students may feel like they need these expensive tools to study more efficiently. They may feel pressured to buy these gadgets, even if they’re costly.

Also, the different kinds of stationery that studygram and studytube influencers use (and hype on social media) are more expensive than their standard counterparts. For example, many use Muji stationery in their videos. However, these items are more costly than no-brand stationery found in local department stores.

There’s nothing wrong with using these tools. If they work for a student, they can afford them. However, students must realize that these social-media-famous tools are not required to get good grades in school.

Overall, the online study community can be beneficial. However, students should tread lightly when engaging with Studygram and Studytube posts. They must remember that they can succeed academically through hard work and dedication. The tools shouldn’t be the priority.