If you’ve ever scrolled through TikTok’s #collegelife or #dormlife tags, you’ve probably seen the highlight reel of college life: picture-perfect dorm rooms, effortlessly stylish students walking to class with iced coffees in hand, and friend groups straight out of a sitcom. From aesthetic study sessions to wild weekend parties, TikTok paints college as an exciting, glamorous, and carefully
curated experience.
But does it really look like that in real life? Not exactly. While TikTok captures some aspects of college, it often exaggerates or omits the messy, unfiltered reality. Let’s break down the biggest differences between TikTok’s version of college and what it’s actually like.
Expectation: Aesthetic Dorms Straight Off Your Pinterest Board
TikTok dorm tours showcase string lights, plush bedding, color-coordinated décor, and spotless organization. Every inch of space seems optimized for coziness and productivity, making it look like a dream home away from home.
Reality: Cramped Chaos with Questionable Air Quality
Most freshmen move into tiny, outdated dorms with cinder block walls, questionable carpets, and communal bathrooms that make you rethink ever going barefoot. Sure, some students go all out with their setups, but keeping a dorm this pristine is nearly impossible—especially when you’re sharing it with a roommate whose idea of “clean” is secluding their dirty laundry and dishes to their side of the room.
Expectation: Effortless Academic Success
TikTok’s “studytok” scene is full of students taking meticulous notes in perfect handwriting, using pastel highlighters, and sipping matcha lattes while classical music plays softly in the background. The vibe? Calm, productive, and stress-free.
Reality: Late-Night Cram Sessions and Academic Panic
In reality, college academics are a whirlwind of last-minute cramming, panicking over forgotten deadlines, and bargaining with yourself about how little sleep you can survive on before an 8 a.m. lecture. Study sessions often involve messy notes, half-drunk energy drinks, and the crushing realization that you should’ve started studying weeks ago. Pro tip: Try to establish a solid study routine early on. If done correctly, you’ll have a full four years to experience everything college has to offer. Why not do it with a pretty GPA?
Expectation: Parties Every Weekend, Social Life on Fire
From Greek life ragers to themed dorm parties, TikTok makes it seem like every weekend is an endless cycle of fun, complete with neon lights, great music, and an effortlessly cool friend group.
Reality: Some Great Nights, Some Netflix Nights
Yes, parties exist, but they aren’t always the cinematic experience TikTok makes them out to be. Sometimes they’re overcrowded and sweaty, sometimes they get shut down by campus police, and sometimes you’d rather stay in and binge-watch a show in your pajamas. The reality? College social life is a mix of great nights out, awkward encounters, and plenty of quiet nights in. Not every college student loves a rager, and universities offer plenty of other extracurriculars to keep you occupied.
Expectation: Instant Best Friends and a Built-In Support System
TikTok often shows college students forming deep friendships right away—laughing in dining halls, going on spontaneous road trips, and having heart-to-hearts at 3 a.m.
Reality: It Takes Time to Find Your People—And That’s Okay!
Making friends in college isn’t always instant. The first few weeks can feel lonely, and it takes effort to find your group. With time, shared experiences, and some trial and error, you will eventually find your people. Editor’s note: I met my first college best friend in our dorm’s elevator! She noticed we both walked to the same science class every morning and asked if I wanted to sit together. The rest is history! Moral of the story? Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.
Expectation: Balanced, Productive, Instagram-Worthy Life
According to TikTok, college students somehow manage to maintain perfect routines: waking up early, working out, making healthy meals, staying on top of assignments, and still having time for a vibrant social life.
Reality: Chaos, Procrastination, and Cereal for Dinner
In reality, most students are just trying to survive. Sleep schedules are unpredictable, motivation comes in waves, and “meal prep” sometimes means eating instant ramen for the third time in a week. College isn’t a perfectly curated routine—it’s messy, spontaneous, and full of ups and downs.
The Verdict? College is What You Make It
TikTok’s version of college isn’t completely false—it just leaves out the harder, more unglamorous parts. The reality is: College is a mix of stress and excitement, independence and uncertainty, unforgettable moments and everyday struggles. It’s not a movie, but that’s what makes it real. And that’s the best part.
College isn’t about fitting into a perfect aesthetic—it’s about discovering who you are, finding your people, and embracing the highs and lows that come with it. Some days will be tough, but others will be incredible.
The reality of college isn’t always picture-perfect, but it’s yours to shape. So go in with an open mind, take the pressure off trying to make it look like TikTok, and focus on making it an experience that’s meaningful, exciting, and uniquely yours.
