By: C Icart, Peak Associate
A few weeks ago, The Peak published a thought-provoking critique of StudyTok by Maya Barillas Mohan. As someone who’s been in university since 2017, I couldn’t help but chime in about how this phenomenon is not new at all. Back in my day, the place to get your fill of study content was StudyTube, which was maybe just a natural progression from Studyblr. Most of the big names on StudyTube at the time were teenagers trying to get into their dream university, and many went on to keep making study content throughout their post-secondary education. For instance, Dr. Vee Kathivu, whom I started following during her undergraduate studies, has recently uploaded a video on “becoming an academic weapon.” After completing three degrees, she certainly has tips to share.
There is so much to critique about study content: the way it sometimes promotes hustle culture, obsesses over Ivy league schools, or associates academic success with financial success . . . But there is also so much more to life than critique. You might think this is ridiculous to say as someone who’s trying to carve a spot in academia for themselves as a critical communication scholar, but hear me out. Take charge of your algorithm by interacting with study content that helps you appreciate the learning process.
Writing off all study content as problematic ignores the awesome work some creators have put out. It also ignores the sense of camaraderie these online spaces can foster.
Depending on the province or territory, in Northern Turtle Island, it’s mandatory to attend school until the age of 16 or 18. According to Statistics Canada, “in 2025, nearly two-thirds of Canadian adults aged 25 to 64 (64%) held a college or university credential.” If millions of us are going to school, it makes sense to talk about it. Writing off all study content as problematic ignores the awesome work some creators have put out. It also ignores the sense of camaraderie these online spaces can foster.
In 2019, I was working on earning my bachelor’s and started using Grace Lee’s “study with me” videos as a form of accountability. She would livestream with clearly marked study and break times. Her videos were my first introduction to the Pomodoro Technique, which worked really well when I wasn’t motivated because 25 minutes of work was not an overwhelming goal for me. During the breaks, we’d use the chat to update each other on our progress, what we were working on, or struggling with. Leaving the stream early was met with no judgment. People encouraged each other to achieve their study goal no matter how small.
It’s important to think critically without claiming everything is bad. Or more specifically, we shouldn’t lose sight of what is bad about online study content. As Mohan mentioned, the StudyTok videos that deserve criticism promote classism, self-hate, and capitalist ideals, but that is a product of the society we live in. Study content in and of itself does not need to promote toxic habits and values. This semester, in your courses and online, I hope you find your people. Tap “not interested” on toxic study “motivation” and leave a thank-you comment on the flashcard tutorial that actually works for you. It is possible to get your degree without burning out, being miserable, or being in a caffeine-fuelled constant state of “locking in.” Many people are doing it right now. Follow them.
