Students-Of.com: Hear the Students' Voice behind your Institution of Choice
 |
| students-of.com/ |
In a search to unearth the student voice of Universities
around the globe, the website Students-Of.com has emerged. The social media
venture began with a Facebook page created to Share the ideas and experiences of students attending the multifaceted Cambridge University.
In true Zuckerberg style the platform expanded from
its source and now hosts 12 universities on the up and coming, ever growing
website.
It is reported that the project was founded as a tool to disassemble the stereotypes
surrounding Oxbridge students. The aim was to give not just a face, but a voice
to those who felt misrepresented by their institutions of higher education. A
great idea, especially if the focus is trained on fanning away the foggy
mystique that rests on top of the moats circling many Russell group institutions.
I think, for the most part, broadcasting the voices of students should result
in a truer, widespread understanding of the “Uni” lifestyle. True transparency
would help in showing the world the sometimes arbitrary nature of higher
education, creating a clearer picture of the value of varying skillsets, as
opposed to heightening the pedestals Students-Of.com aim to abolish.
Unfortunately, the website’s content slightly betrays the
altruistic nature of their pursuit. In the About
section they state:
We aim to be a centralised platform for worldwide student representation and expression. University students make the next generation of politicians, entrepreneurs, visionaries and artists. We put a face to those who have something to offer, and those who will shape the future.
 |
| dailymail.co.uk |
It would be too strong to call this slip-up hypocrisy, but
the self-indulgent, elitist use of the education system’s internal meritocracy cannot
be ignored. The first sentence could be lifted straight from the Facebook blueprint
in all its smiles and sunshine. What follows, however, is hard to stomach. It’s
probably fair to say that the next generation of Politicians will emerge,
squeaky clean, from one of the participating institutions, but that’s a whole
other problem in itself. To propose that the titles Entrepreneur, Visionary and
Artist are exclusive to graduates is exceedingly arrogant,
if not foolishly
misguided.
News outlets have famously pounced on every chance to try
and shame Cambridge students in the act of having fun in excess, in the hope of
capturing a politician to-be’s poor and unruly behaviour. The daily mail is
particularly, and predictably, guilty of this, so if the aim Students-Of.com is to to
oppose them then good for them!
The website is still in its early stages, so tweaks should
(hopefully) be expected. They clearly have some sense of good direction,
demonstrated in the promotion of recorded student conversations on important
and relevant topics such as race and gender (I am directly referring to a
discourse recorded for their SOTalks section).
So watch out, or jump aboard to aid direction, because
pretty soon all of our Universities may have their very own Students-Of page, leaving
behind no fusty coat of arms to hide behind and protect the opinions of noisy,
voiceless students. Let’s hope once revealed, the public appreciates the happy faces of those once hidden.
Ever wondered what would happen if you gave a half-crazed, semi-concussed, unstoppable maverick a platform to write about social media? Follow him @LeoAtSMF
Students-Of.com: Hear the Students' Voice behind your Institution of Choice
Reviewed by Unknown
on
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Rating:
Reviewed by Unknown
on
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Rating:
Unknown
Keeping you up to date on social media, digital marketing, apps, news & reviews. Social media, and digital marketing as a whole, are rapidly and constantly changing, adapting to new developments at an ever increasing rate. Just keeping up to date can be a nightmare. Our team of writers know their field, and keep an ear to the ground. We aim to keep you informed of all recent developments in the online world, and teach you a little something along the way. So whether you just want to stay connected, or gain some knowledge for yourself, the Social Songbird will keep on singing! More articles are posted every day so keep checking back! Join the discussion on Twitter - #SocialSongbird Or contact us directly - @SocialSongbird_
Entrepreneur, international speaker on Social Media Marketing. First one in the UK to write and speak in conferences about Twitter as a marketing tool. Consultant to Corporate Companies, Government Organizations, Marketing Managers and Business Owners.
Aspiring novelist with a passion for fantasy and crime thrillers. He hopes to one day drop that 'aspiring' prefix. He started as a writer and soon after he was made Executive Editor and Manager of the team at Social Songbird. A position he held for 5 years.
Adrienne is a passionate writer with experience in editing, content creation, and social media marketing. She’s a lover of animals, helping others improve their writing, and 2000s pop culture.
Musician, audio technician, professional tutor and a Cambridge university English student. Interested in writing, politics and obsessed with reading.
Recently graduated with a BA in English Literature from the University of Exeter, and he is about to study an MA in Journalism at the University of Sheffield. He is an aspiring journalist and novelist; in his free time he enjoys playing chess, listening to music and taking long walks through nature.
Lucy is an undergraduate BSc Politics and International Relations student at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Anna Coopey is a 4th year UG student in Classics at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. She is a keen writer and researcher on a number of topics, varying from Modern Greek literature to revolutionary theory.
Ellie is a recent BA English Literature graduate and aspiring publisher with a passion for writing. Her favourite pastimes include reading and shopping.