The Student Room Group

As far as social media goes, what accounts do you need at university?

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Original post by Pro Crastination
I am quite an introverted person, but I don't think even I'd be able to do without Facebook! Flat/coursemates group chats, event invites, society sessions/events, and of course the odd bit of internet pool when you have just had enough of work.


Original post by Odd1
*If any of my posts repeat-post whoops.



You can group chat in person
You can get invited in person I hope
You should be up to date with events and seminars on your own


I've found Facebook very useful for finding out about many different events that probably wouldn't have known about otherwise, from nights out and markets to music festivals. They're the sort of events that are generally open to the public so I just invite myself and tag along. Easy to save and get a reminder about them on my phone :smile:

I live far away from all my family, so Facebook and whatsapp have been great for keeping in touch with them.

I guess social media isn't for everyone though, so don't worry if you have no real need for it. If you're gonna join just one though, maybe try LinkedIn - I know a couple of friends who have gotten jobs off of it! I haven't myself (yet!), but so far I've found it useful for following different companies that I'd be interested in working at, as well as just generally snooping about on different profiles to find out what education and experience people have to get their current jobs, so as to give me a few ideas for my own career path :yep:
Facebook, Whatsapp and a Google account. First because it's where everything is organised as it's the best place to organise events, second because everyone uses it to message each other, third for professionalism as emailing with anything else, other than your uni email account, looks a bit odd.
Original post by Odd1
I'm sure it's convenient even for those who are outgoing and socially focused, but even if you're not outgoing and socially focused, you should still be trying to live life outside of the virtual world, like what everyone did before there was one. Not tryna give you a hard time, though, really.


I don't think Facebook is anything other than a social catalyst, really. Something like World of Warcraft or Runescape... now they are social substitutes that you want to avoid haha!
Reply 23
Original post by CherryCherryBoomBoom
I've found Facebook very useful for finding out about many different events that probably wouldn't have known about otherwise, from nights out and markets to music festivals. They're the sort of events that are generally open to the public so I just invite myself and tag along. Easy to save and get a reminder about them on my phone :smile:

I live far away from all my family, so Facebook and whatsapp have been great for keeping in touch with them.

I guess social media isn't for everyone though, so don't worry if you have no real need for it. If you're gonna join just one though, maybe try LinkedIn - I know a couple of friends who have gotten jobs off of it! I haven't myself (yet!), but so far I've found it useful for following different companies that I'd be interested in working at, as well as just generally snooping about on different profiles to find out what education and experience people have to get their current jobs, so as to give me a few ideas for my own career path :yep:


You probably should've quoted op here.
Original post by Odd1
I know what they asked. You didn't give reasons for listing whatsapp and snapchat.


I was just being an idiot with the snapchat suggestion :lol: but yeah, whatsapp had the same reason as Facebook (group work)

I was just trying to be helpful :erm:
Original post by Odd1
Necessary for? Coursework or socialising?

It shouldn't be necessary for coursework but if it is then whip one up really quick and set everything to private, and remove it immediately after you no longer need it.

If it's for socialising I mean you're at university soooo I'm sure you can find more efficient ways to socialise with people there than behind a computer.

Social media websites is normally secondary means to communicate with people who you know in real life.

Social media apps are becoming more primary for even people you knew in real life beforehand but it's not essential. It's just much much harder to stalk or harass someone if they haven't joined to any.

You sound like you don't really understand the function of most social media. The large majority of users just use it as a way of disseminating/learning about/discussing events and talking to people when it's unreasonable to go and see them in person. It's also a heck of a lot more efficient and makes you look not weird.
Reply 26
Facebook definitely - events, chat, I don't think I need to explain the benefits of FB.

Whatsapp, good for group chats especially.

Yik Yak, good for anonymous uni discussion.

Snapchat, to a lesser extent. Why is snapchat needed? I'm not totally sure myself, but I use it. Concerned about privacy? Do what I did, accept random friend requests from 1-2 strangers who just send dick pics. That's a good reminder not to put anything up you'd care about being on the front page of a tabloid.

Google isn't really a necessity in social media terms, though document sharing can be useful.

If you're working in a field where confidentiality is involved (healthcare being the main one I can think of where it'll be an issue during the course), Wickr is good, it's a more secure snapchat.

I disagree about LinkedIn being required, I haven't used that at all in my life, despite entering as a semi-mature student and coming from a business background. I guess maybe if you're job-hunting, but that depends on the field. Certainly any jobsearching mid-degree is unlikely to be helped much by LinkedIn.
(edited 7 years ago)
Reply 27
Original post by Pro Crastination
I don't think Facebook is anything other than a social catalyst, really. Something like World of Warcraft or Runescape... now they are social substitutes that you want to avoid haha!


I'm not a gamer at all.
Reply 28
Original post by Helloworld_95
and makes you look not weird.


Not look weird during what?
Original post by Odd1
I'm not a gamer at all.


Then don't fret! :biggrin:
Reply 30
Original post by JoeTSR
Facebook definitely - events, chat, I don't think I need to explain the benefits of FB.

Whatsapp, good for group chats especially.

Yik Yak, good for anonymous uni discussion.

Snapchat, to a lesser extent. Why is snapchat needed? I'm not totally sure myself, but I use it. Concerned about privacy? Do what I did, accept random friend requests from 1-2 strangers who just send dick pics. That's a good reminder not to put anything up you'd care about being on the front page of a tabloid.

Google isn't really a necessity in social media terms, though document sharing can be useful.

If you're working in a field where confidentiality is involved (healthcare being the main one I can think of where it'll be an issue during the course), Wickr is good, it's a more secure snapchat.

I disagree about LinkedIn being required, I haven't used that at all in my life, despite entering as a semi-mature student and coming from a business background. I guess maybe if you're job-hunting, but that depends on the field. Certainly any jobsearching mid-degree is unlikely to be helped much by LinkedIn.


I understand the benefits but none of these are necessities still.
Also, YikYak is quite a good tool for procrastination - plenty of jokes and drama specific to your own university, plus it's all anonymous so people are very (sometimes too) open and honest on there.
Reply 32
Original post by Odd1
I understand the benefits but none of these are necessities still.


Being social at all isn't a necessity. You can make it through uni just sitting through classes and then going home and sitting in your room all day. They all improve your social life though.
Reply 33
Original post by Pro Crastination
Then don't fret! :biggrin:


I don't get the social catalyst part though. For people you know in real life but aren't close to, haven't you ever felt awkward? Like, "you never speak to me in person but you're all open when we're not face to face?"
Original post by Odd1
You probably should've quoted op here.


My apologies, I probably thought you were OP for some reason. Oh well, they will still read the whole thread and see this anyway :smile:
Reply 35
Original post by JoeTSR
Being social at all isn't a necessity. You can make it through uni just sitting through classes and then going home and sitting in your room all day. They all improve your social life though.


Well not having social media doesn't mean you'll be a loner! :erm: It's called smiling when you talk and smelling nice and pronouncing your words and having good ideas :s-smilie:
Original post by Pro Crastination
Also, YikYak is quite a good tool for procrastination - plenty of jokes and drama specific to your own university, plus it's all anonymous so people are very (sometimes too) open and honest on there.


What do they (yikyak) want from you to sign up - security-wise?
Reply 37
Original post by CherryCherryBoomBoom
My apologies, I probably thought you were OP for some reason.


How :erm:
Original post by Odd1
Not look weird during what?


During anything.
Original post by Odd1
I don't get the social catalyst part though. For people you know in real life but aren't close to, haven't you ever felt awkward? Like, "you never speak to me in person but you're all open when we're not face to face?"


Ha! Reminds me of the kind of weird social life I had when I was 14, and yes, that sort of stuff is majorly awkward, which is why I've avoided it ever since.

Plus, I think once you reach a certain age, everyone (okay this doesn't apply to everyone) just becomes a little less defensive and becomes more emotionally open, so you can have those kind of 'open' conversations with people without the need for the kind of distance that a phone/computer provides; granted it doesn't come as quickly, but it's worth it.

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