College used to be about learning, making friends, and figuring out who you are. At the University of Miami, social media now plays a big role in campus life, with some students navigating online fame alongside classes, clubs, and late-night cafecitos.
The Miami Hurricane recently featured three freshmen with large TikTok followings on its cover. For other students chasing clout, the story was enough to spark envy, anxiety, and a little self-doubt. One freshman with 24,000 followers posted about feeling overlooked and underappreciated, capturing a tension that has become familiar on many campuses: when followers feel like currency, personal achievements sometimes take a backseat.
Social media is now a natural part of college culture. Dorm rooms, study sessions, and even sorority rush can double as content opportunities. Students enjoy sharing their experiences online, documenting life in real time, and connecting with peers across the country. TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms are tools, not enemies, but they do create a sense of competition and pressure that can be exhausting if not balanced.
The freshmen featured on the cover have hundreds of thousands of followers, and they admit that posting, filming, and engaging online takes up significant time. Some manage to balance school and social presence, showing that it’s possible to be ambitious without losing sight of academics. But the constant visibility can leave less-followed students feeling sidelined or insecure.
Ultimately, the lesson isn’t about follower counts or going viral. It’s about finding a balance, enjoying college in the moment, and remembering that Miami offers plenty of experiences worth living offline. Social media can capture it, but it doesn’t define it.
