The influencer effect on college life

By: Alison Hudak

If I had to take a wild guess, you have already scrolled through some form of social media today. Maybe it was a quick TikTok before getting out of bed and starting your day, a scroll on Instagram on your walk to class, or checking Snapchat in the middle of lecture. Whether we admit it or not, social media is built into our daily routines as college students, and influencers are the ones quietly shaping these habits. 

Since the blow-up of influencers, they've started setting the tone for so much of college life. From the outfits we wear, the workouts we try, and the viral beauty hacks we swear by, their impact shows up everywhere. I took a walk around campus the other day and counted at least 14 people carrying around an Owala water bottle-it is basically the new BuckID. Add in the Hailey Bieber lip products everyone seems to be obsessed with, including me, and the viral overnight heatless curls hack, and you start to see how much of campus culture quietly traces back to influencer-driven trends. 

Don’t get me wrong, I will dive headfirst for a trend-but it is hard not to notice how quickly they come and go, and how much pressure there is to keep up. Many students struggle with the pressure to replicate lifestyles that, and to be so transparent, most of us can’t actually afford it. Trying to look like you’re always thriving, traveling and crushing every workout routine can quickly become exhausting and a little unrealistic. 

A Change in Perspective

However, influencers also bring motivation and inspiration. The same TikTok that makes you feel behind can also be the reason you finally sign up for a fitness class, or discover a local spot you now love. On a campus as big as Ohio State, it’s almost impossible not to find yourself influenced in some way. That influence can push you toward things that actually improve your day-to-day life. 

At the end of the day, influencers aren’t just setting trends; they’re setting expectations of what we think college life should look like. While it’s fun to buy into the latest water bottle or beauty hack, it’s worth remembering that college life isn’t supposed to look like a curated feed. College is messy, stressful, fun, and real. The real challenge shouldn’t be keeping up with every trend, but figuring out which ones actually add something to your life, and scrolling past the rest.