Introduction: About Me
Hi, my name is Sarah Lang-Gould, and I’m in my third year of Psychology at the University of Victoria. My educational journey has been a mix of in-person and online learning. I’ve learned a lot not only through school, but also through the different people and communities in my life like sports, school, and social media. In this post, I’ll share how I’ve grown as a student, how social media has played a role in my learning and friendships, and how I try to maintain a positive presence online.
My Educational Journey
When I was in high school, I found the move to online learning really hard. Without in-person classes, I had a hard time staying focused and motivated. I learn best when I am in a group with students talking through the material. I found it challenging to just listen to a teacher online and not have a chance to interact with the material with students. When I started university here in Victoria, I really enjoyed my Psychology lectures. It was challenging at the beginning to adjust to the amount of studying I needed to do, but once I found friends to study with, it became easier to learn. I joined the volleyball and tennis teams at Uvic, which really helped me meet new people and expand my personal learning network. Meeting people through school and sports had a big impact on me, not just socially but academically. I have learned a lot both inside and outside of class through these different social groups.
Social Media and Learning
Social media has influenced my life in both positive and negative ways. It has helped me stay connected to international students, siblings, friends, and family members. One of my favourite parts of social media is being able to connect with people who live far away. Social media has also been challenging. I sometimes struggle to keep up with the fast pace of social media and the pressure to always be active. In high school, it was hard to see posts about events I wasn’t invited to, and that feeling of comparison made it tough. I didn’t have social media when I first started high school, which made it hard because that was a main way that everyone was connecting outside of class. Once I got social media, it became a way to make friends and stay included.
Social Media During COVID
During COVID, I used social media a lot for learning. I found guitar tabs, recipes and workout routines, and that showed me how social media is not just for connecting with friends, but it can actually be a great way to learn new things. When we talked about this in class, it really made me think more about how social media can be educational, not just social. It helped me realize that I’ve learned a lot through platforms like YouTube and Instagram, even if I didn’t always see it as learning at the time.
In the article we read this week about the 10 different types of social media, I learned about the many different ways people use these platforms. I realized I use a bunch of them, including:
- Instagram – for a social network
- LinkedIn – for a professional network
- Pinterest – for bookmarking
- Snapchat – for video sharing
- Goodreads – for an interest-based network
Each of these is a part of how I stay connected and learn outside of school.
Link to the above article: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/types-of-social-media
My Digital Identity
My digital identity looks a little different depending on the platform. On Instagram, I mostly post pictures of what I am doing, like trips, nature, or hanging out with friends. I am private on Instagram, and so these are posts for my friends and family. On LinkedIn, I try to be more professional, since this platform is directed towards school or future jobs. I have not used it a lot yet, but I know it will be helpful down the road.
Even though my social media accounts are private, I still remember that anything I post can be seen by others. I try to keep my posts and comments positive and kind, and I don’t say anything online that I wouldn’t say in person. Social media can become a negative place when people aren’t careful, and I want to be someone who spreads kindness and encouragement online. As a student and someone preparing for a future career in mental health, it’s really important to have a digital presence that reflects who I am and what I care about.
Conclusion
Looking back, I’ve realized how much my learning has been shaped by both my connections with others and the ways I use social media. From struggling with online learning in high school, to joining teams and study groups at Uvic, to learning new skills through social media, I realize all the different ways I’ve grown. I’ve learned that how I show up online matters, and that I can use digital tools in a way that reflects the person I want to be in school, friendships and the future.