Studying up on the latest digital trends in higher ed? We have one that may surprise you but it is certainly familiar to your student intern.
We’re talking about Studyspo: the trend turning study time into scroll-worthy content.
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In recent years, every nook of the internet—from Pinterest boards to TikTok stories—has gained noteworthy momentum in helping students build connective digital spaces and communities where students share life hacks and ideas with each other. And now, students are convening on these platforms even more frequently—even to study.
Studyspo, a blending of “study” and “inspiration,” involves students sharing posts, videos, hashtags, and the like, to show how they’re studying. Generating noteworthy digital engagement, Studyspo is, indeed, trending.
The hashtag #Studyspo has been used in over 1,011,091 posts on Instagram, with an average of 12 new posts per hour. On average, these posts receive 106 “likes” and 2 comments each, indicating moderate engagement. Other related hashtags frequently used alongside #studyspo include #studygram, which has garnered over 13 million posts, #studying with around 6.7 million posts, and #studymotivation with about 3.5 million posts.
More of the same can be seen on Tumblr, where hashtags related to studying and similar topics (like #studyblr) also enjoy substantial popularity. For example, #studyblr has over 500,000 posts, showing that the study-related community on Tumblr is incredibly active.
But, trends they are fleeting. How do you know when to jump on the social media fad train (and hashtag) and when to happily let it pass you by? Let’s get into it. Read on…
Studyspo and the New Rules of Student Engagement
Typically, admission leaders leave solutions and strategies for successful studying to the academic affairs departments. But Studyspro is changing all that – to some degree anyway. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves here!
Akin to the astronomically popular Get Ready With Me (GRWM) videos students “like” and share, so comes a rise in “Study With Me” shorts from micro-influencers. Students are turning to these influencers for inspiration on fashion, music, and you guessed it, studying.
While academics are surely a focus of Studyspo content, much of the hype centers on the basics of setting up a feel-good space: how to prioritize comfort, which snacks to nibble on, the best types of music to listen to, and how to establish the right ambiance to ensure a successful study session. It might have all lot to do with the room lighting and the stickers that adorn your study tools.
Showcasing the spruced-up spaces students set up to optimize the studying experience, Studyspo compiles specific how-to tutorials on creating energizing, ambient, and concentration-conducive environments. It’s a trend worth following, and one that extends far beyond the campus coffee shop. (And right into the dorms flush with your institution’s swag, if you see what we’re getting at.) The right branded water bottle and highlighter can make ALL the difference, right?
Focusing on study strategies has long been a go-to solution for academic institutions looking to leverage students’ engagement. Think old-school marketing trends, like fliers, library sessions, and on-campus study groups. Here’s the thing about techniques like these, they work. And so does the compelling call of designing a study space that’s all your own. For this audience, the aesthetic truly is key.
As Gen Z likes to say, it’s all about the “vibe.” We think they’re on to something.
With a planner ready for action, a calming lamp, and aesthetic touches all around, it’s no wonder #StudyGram and #StudySpo are taking over.
Tapping into Studyspo: Engage Your Students Where They Are
Understanding the strengths of your audience also helps you identify additional ways to engage them. And let’s face it: Students know studying. Leveraging the Studyspo trend can be a smart (pardon the pun) addition to your digital recruitment tactics and help you increase student engagement even more. Here’s why:
- You’ll be in-the-know. Keeping pace with student trends gives you an understanding of where their interests lie and what’s motivating for them. Demonstrating you know (and care) about what compels students’ attention speaks volumes to prospective students looking for their right-fit community.
- Integrity is highly valuable. Students are looking to each other for inspiration when they’re browsing through Studyspo content. It’s not just about studying, it’s about connecting with like-minded individuals and garnering true, genuine connections, which can benefit students on campus, and those prospective students yet to come.
- Collaboration creates compelling content. Fostering your teams’ collaborative effort to relate to students helps you learn more about what they’re interested in learning, doing, and participating in. Where student engagement is happening, there is always an opportunity to learn why and how it’s happening. And authentically knowing your audience makes all the difference in connecting with them.
Taking notes from the Studyspo pros can yield rewards when it comes to engagement. Who knows, maybe you may even garner a few tricks for sprucing up your own workspace.
Your To Do: reach out to some vibin’ students you know and ask them about their study space and the studyspo trend. Get creative about the kinds of branded items that might add to the ambiance they are looking for. There are so many ways to engage your current and prospective students to build campus pride and foster strong study habits. You'll be accessing millions of recurring views at virtually no cost. Be a part of that.
Be in touch with the Intead team to discuss more data-informed trends for engaging with prospective students.
