Flaws within the study community

I thought that having a studygram means you are smart and always have to get A/A*'s.

I thought having a small number of followers means you are insignificant and not worthy.

I thought if you don't help people gain followers, you are seem as a rude and horrible person.

I thought not sharing your notes means you are selfish and inconsiderate.

Well, I have a studygram

I am proud of it!

Everyone always assumes having a studygram means you are intelligent and a snob because you are expected to be revising 24/7 and achieve high grades but you are wrong.

There has been some tension happening currently and it is probably not my place to say but I will still say something because I don't like being silent whilst there is a storm coming.

Some people are beginning to assume that having a lot of followers immediately means you are a famous or popular. Having a large number of followers comes from hard work and dedication, not something you can pluck from trees. It is a dream of many to have loads of followers but it is not easy. That 10k you see, only 5,700 may only be active so bare that in mind. Someone having loads of followers does not mean they are ignorant because they are not answering your messages. They are probably busy with other issues. People have lives!

So your message has not been read by a massive studygram. You decide to make a fake account; impersonating them, copying all there photos just to get their attention. That is just wrong! What do you actually gain from doing that? You are just making yourself look stupid. Don't make fake accounts. If you are doing this for revenge, you are a child! People have feelings!

This is a big one because I feel that the community can be very toxic and harsh when it comes to this. Shoutouts and follow for follow.

Everyone can follow who they want to follow, shoutout who they want to shoutout. There is no law saying you must follow everyone who follows you. Don't ask people to shout you out because they are not entitled to. There are some big studygrams who are being attacked just because they have more followers. This has gone to far! The number of followers does not determine your future or your ability to succeed. There is no additional responsibility given to big studygrams. Everyone has worked hard to make a name for themselves.

There is a difference between asking and begging. You don't need to beg for followers. EVERYTHING COMES FROM HARD WORK!! If you have a genuine question, ask politely and be patient for a response. I am happy I don't receive so much hate but don't do it to someone else because they don't fulfil your OWN expectation.

The study community is supposed to be a community where we help each other. We are supposed to engage with each other and create a safe space. I didn't join the study community to become "famous" but to help other people including myself.

So how do you gain followers? I only have 170 followers but I have learnt so many things about gaining followers.

1. Interact with other studygram's and make friends with them. When making friends with them, remain consistent and check on them constantly as we all have feelings.

2. Post regularly. Don't post and be vacant for 2 months and expect people to follow you still. It doesn't work like that. Let your followers know if you are going to be absent for some time. Post content that makes you happy and not because you want to.

3. Put some tags in your photo so you can attract new people and followers.

4. Be active in your stories. Let people know what you are up to. Be honest and open so your followers know your true self. Don't make a fake image for yourself!

5. Be patient. There may be some accounts that gain so much followers in a short time and some who gain more slowly. (I am one of the slow ones!) Don't assume that you will gain followers overnight! It takes time and hard work.

Thanks for reading xox