Freshman year of college is a big adjustment. Between navigating new classes, building relationships, and finding your place, the transition can feel overwhelming. But what if one of the tools that could make the experience easier is already on your phone? Instagram might seem like just another social media app, but it can actually help you connect with people, discover new opportunities and find the resources you need to make the most of your first year.
One of Instagram’s biggest benefits is its ability to help you connect with people in your college community. Many incoming freshmen find their roommate through Instagram and get to know each other before even stepping foot on campus. Having that initial connection can make arriving at college feel a little less intimidating, but the opportunities to meet people don’t stop after move-in day. Following other students on Instagram gives you an easy way to start conversations and discover shared interests. A simple follow or reply to a story can be the beginning of a new friendship. Instagram won’t automatically make you best friends with everyone you follow, but it can make that first step toward connecting feel much easier.
Beyond making friends, Instagram is a great way for students to discover opportunities and events on campus. Clubs, student organizations, and campus departments regularly post about upcoming events, meetings, and opportunities to get involved. By checking your school’s account or searching for student organizations, you might discover something you never would have found otherwise. I know this from personal experience. I found two of the clubs I’m involved in by searching Instagram. Looking through their profiles helped me learn more about what they do and decide whether they were organizations I could see myself joining. For freshmen who are still figuring out where they fit in, this can be an easy way to explore different interests and find a community without having to walk into a meeting completely unfamiliar with everyone.
Instagram isn’t just a source for social connections, it can be an academic tool as well. College classes come with new expectations, heavier workloads and unfamiliar challenges. Fortunately, many colleges and academic departments use Instagram to share information about tutoring, study resources, workshops and other forms of academic support. Following these accounts can help you stay informed about resources you might not know exist. Instagram can also help you connect with older students who have already taken classes you’re currently enrolled in. While social media shouldn’t replace official academic resources, it can provide an additional way to find advice, ask questions, and learn from other students’ experiences.
Freshmen year is no joke, and adjusting to college takes time. But, you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. Whether you’re looking for friends, searching for a club to join, or trying to find academic support, Instagram can help make a big campus feel a little smaller. Of course, social media isn’t the only way to make connections, and it’s important to remember that what people post online doesn’t show their entire lives. When used intentionally, Instagram can be more than a place to scroll. It can be a starting point for friendships, new experiences, and opportunities that help make your freshmen year feel more like home.
Can’t get enough of HC UMass Amherst? Be sure to follow us on Instagram, listen to us on Spotify, like us on Facebook, and read our latest Tweets!