The College Experience: TikTok vs. Reality BY MADISON VOORHIES
I f you’ve ever scrolled through TikTok’s #collegelife or #dormlife tags, you’ve probably seen the highlight reel of college life: picture- perfect dorm rooms, effortlessly stylish students walking to class with iced coffees in hand, and friend groups straight out of a sitcom. From aesthetic study sessions to wild weekend parties, TikTok paints college as an exciting, glamorous, and carefully curated experience. But does it really look like that in real life? Not exactly. WhileTikTok captures some aspects of college, it often exaggerates or omits the messy, unfiltered reality. Let’s break down the biggest differences betweenTikTok’s version of college and what it’s actually like. EXPECTATION: Aesthetic Dorms Straight Off Your Pinterest Board TikTok dorm tours showcase string
lights, plush bedding, color-coordinated décor, and spotless organization. Every inch of space seems optimized for coziness and productivity, making it look like a dream home away from home.
students taking meticulous notes in perfect handwriting, using pastel highlighters, and sipping matcha lattes while classical music plays softly in the background.The vibe? Calm, productive, and stress-free. REALITY: Late-Night Cram Sessions and Academic Panic In reality, college academics are a whirlwind of last-minute cramming, panicking over forgotten deadlines, and bargaining with yourself about how little sleep you can survive on before an 8 a.m. lecture. Study sessions often involve messy notes, half-drunk energy drinks, and the crushing realization that you should’ve started studying weeks ago. Pro tip:Try to establish a solid study routine early on. If done correctly, you’ll have a full four years to experience everything college has to offer. Why not do it with a pretty GPA?
REALITY: Cramped Chaos with Questionable Air Quality Most freshmen move into tiny,
outdated dorms with cinder block walls, questionable carpets, and communal bathrooms that make you rethink ever going barefoot. Sure, some students go all out with their setups, but keeping a dorm this pristine is nearly impossible—especially when you’re sharing it with a roommate whose idea of “clean” is secluding their dirty laundry and dishes to their side of the room. EXPECTATION: Effortless Academic Success TikTok’s “studytok” scene is full of
EXPECTATION: Parties Every Weekend,
16 MAY 2025 | CINCINNATIFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM
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