Social media became the primary venue for both leisure and connection during the 2020–21 academic year.
The temporary student loan forbearance (CARES Act) led to a wave of dark humor memes on Reddit’s r/college and r/studentloans. "We didn't have to pay??" followed by "They will resume soon." college gangbang 7 20 21 lolly cumshotp1909 min top
Shows like Tiger King kicked off the period, while The Last Dance provided a nostalgic sports fix when live games were cancelled. Online learning essentials : Students shared tips and
| Category | Top Trend | Why It Worked | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Netflix Party / Bridgerton | Shared experience while physically apart | | Gaming | Among Us | Social deduction; easy to play on phones | | Social Media | TikTok "POV" skits | Short, relatable, filmed in dorms | | Music | Olivia Rodrigo – Sour | Captured pandemic heartbreak & isolation | | Activity | Puzzles / Baking | Solo or small-group; therapeutic repetition | | Meme | "Blurry Zoom face" / "Sus" | Inside joke about the remote learning struggle | The temporary student loan forbearance (CARES Act) led
This was the year that Gen Z took the reins of pop culture from Hollywood and handed it to the algorithm. Here is the definitive breakdown of how college students stayed sane, viral, and slightly sleep-deprived between 2020 and 2021.
Social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube played a significant role in shaping trending content among college students during this period. TikTok, in particular, saw a meteoric rise in popularity, becoming a cultural phenomenon. Its short, engaging videos allowed users to express themselves creatively, share experiences, and connect with others. Instagram and Twitter also remained popular, serving as hubs for news, memes, and discussions on various topics.
Social media became the primary venue for both leisure and connection during the 2020–21 academic year.
The temporary student loan forbearance (CARES Act) led to a wave of dark humor memes on Reddit’s r/college and r/studentloans. "We didn't have to pay??" followed by "They will resume soon."
Shows like Tiger King kicked off the period, while The Last Dance provided a nostalgic sports fix when live games were cancelled.
| Category | Top Trend | Why It Worked | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Netflix Party / Bridgerton | Shared experience while physically apart | | Gaming | Among Us | Social deduction; easy to play on phones | | Social Media | TikTok "POV" skits | Short, relatable, filmed in dorms | | Music | Olivia Rodrigo – Sour | Captured pandemic heartbreak & isolation | | Activity | Puzzles / Baking | Solo or small-group; therapeutic repetition | | Meme | "Blurry Zoom face" / "Sus" | Inside joke about the remote learning struggle |
This was the year that Gen Z took the reins of pop culture from Hollywood and handed it to the algorithm. Here is the definitive breakdown of how college students stayed sane, viral, and slightly sleep-deprived between 2020 and 2021.
Social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube played a significant role in shaping trending content among college students during this period. TikTok, in particular, saw a meteoric rise in popularity, becoming a cultural phenomenon. Its short, engaging videos allowed users to express themselves creatively, share experiences, and connect with others. Instagram and Twitter also remained popular, serving as hubs for news, memes, and discussions on various topics.