Private story Snapchat GRWMs
Staying in contact with hometown friends during college is hard. Phone calls and texts can do a lot, but you can’t really replicate the feeling of hanging out with them. However, sharing intimate moments like getting ready on private stories can come surprisingly close. Today, GRWMs are generally posted for large audiences, and they are scripted and polished. In 2016, people would film and post themselves getting ready for school for their friends and classmates to see. It didn’t matter how many people watched; it was about conversation and sharing a moment.
Finstas that were private and funny, not aesthetic
In 2016, authenticity was highly valued, but it now feels like everyone posts with a personal brand in mind, even on Finstas. We need to bring back messy posts, silly jokes, and random moments. We used to post because something happened, and now we prioritize posting when it looks good. Even Finstas now seem to be curated; they are no longer places where you can see your friend’s personality. As college students, authenticity is rare, and it’s time we start prioritizing it again.
Calling people without warning
As college students, our schedules feel so packed, and everything is planned down to the minute. A spontaneous phone call should be welcome, as it makes it easier to stay in contact with friends. Additionally, calls open the door for more authentic conversations. Long rambles are way better than typed and edited texts.
Instagram being mostly photos (and the chronological feed)
Every platform has adopted the TikTok-style scroll: endless, short-form content. But I miss when Instagram was a place to keep up with your friends. The modern algorithm changes your feed based on what you like and what is receiving the most interaction, not when your friends post. The algorithm also prioritizes videos over photos, and in the process, it feels like Instagram’s original identity has been lost.
New episodes being released weekly
There was something so exciting about coming home from school when a big episode of your favorite show was airing that night. You had to sit with the previous episode’s cliffhanger for an entire week before finding out what happened next. Now, you can just click “next episode,” getting rid of all feelings of suspense. The weeklong wait leaves time for things to marinate, fan theories to be made, and discussions to be had. And, most importantly, it allows excitement to build and gives viewers something to look forward to, which is so important as a college student.