The isolation and lockdowns imposed during the pandemic significantly influenced the types of content that trended among college students. There was a noticeable increase in the consumption of content that provided escapism, such as fantasy and science fiction series, movies, and video games. Netflix series like "The Crown" and "Stranger Things" saw increased viewership, as did streaming platforms' live events and concerts, which offered a way for people to feel connected to others despite physical distancing.
With time on their hands and stimulus checks, college students bought record players. Taylor Swift’s Evermore (Dec 2020) and Olivia Rodrigo’s Sour (May 2021) were must-own LPs.
| Category | Top Trend | Why It Worked | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Streaming | 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 | college gangbang 7 20 21 lolly cumshotp1909 min top
In a normal year, college students watch The Office or Grey’s Anatomy to avoid studying. In 20/21, they watched to survive. However, the trending content shifted from background noise to long-form comfort epics.
If there was a single engine driving college culture in 20-21, it was TikTok. But the algorithm split into two distinct streams. The isolation and lockdowns imposed during the pandemic
Because students were only visible from the waist up on Zoom calls, fashion changed drastically.
Suddenly, trending content moved from inside the dorm to outside the dorm. In a normal year, college students watch The
The pandemic also led to the rise of virtual events and live streaming as a form of entertainment. Many artists and event organizers turned to platforms like YouTube Live, Twitch, and Facebook Live to host concerts, comedy shows, and other events. This shift not only allowed for the continuation of entertainment activities but also opened up new avenues for creators to engage with their audiences.