A Student’s Guide to Pop Culture

What Even Is Pop Culture?

If you’ve ever been in the Ferg food court, overheard someone talk about the latest TikTok trend, and had no clue what they meant—you’ve already brushed against pop culture. Short for “popular culture,” pop culture is the collection of media, trends, and shared references that shape the conversations we all take part in. It’s the TV shows you binge-watch, the songs that loop in your head, the memes that crowd your social feeds, and the celebrity drama that somehow works its way into every group chat.

For college students, pop culture is more than simple entertainment. It’s a language of connection. Having the same references creates inside jokes, makes introductions less awkward, and helps students feel like they belong. That’s what makes understanding pop culture valuable. This blog—Pop Culture 101—will give you a breakdown of what pop culture is, why it matters, and how you can keep up without feeling overwhelmed.

Pop Culture as a Shared Playlist

One of the easiest ways to think about pop culture is to imagine it as a constantly evolving playlist. The tracks change week by week—sometimes it’s Beyoncé dropping a new album, other times it’s a viral TikTok audio from someone eating corn on a stick. These cultural moments reflect what makes us laugh, what we care about, and what keeps us awake scrolling through our phones long after we should be asleep.

On campus, this “playlist” works as a shortcut to community. Talking about the latest Drake controversy or the most recent Netflix release often comes easier than small talk about the weather. That’s why memes slip into group project chats or why your roommate sends reels before you’ve even woken up. These touchpoints become the rhythm of daily student life.

Viral Moments and Internet Whiplash

Pop culture is shaped by viral moments, those unpredictable phenomena that explode online overnight. Think about the time when “the dress” divided the internet over its colors, or when “Bama RushTok” turned sorority recruitment into a global spectacle. These moments take ordinary events or people and propel them into pop culture history.

The catch is that viral moments don’t last long. Yesterday’s meme quickly becomes today’s forgotten screenshot. But the slang, GIFs, and references they create live on in student conversations. Even if you don’t chase every viral clip, being somewhat aware helps you stay connected.

Why Pop Culture Matters in College

It’s easy to dismiss pop culture as shallow, but for students it has real influence. At the most basic level, it’s a conversation starter. Mentioning a trending meme, a big game, or a celebrity breakup can spark dialogue and turn silence into connection. Pop culture also shapes how students express themselves, from fashion trends like Y2K-inspired outfits to the Beyoncé-driven comeback of cowboy boots.

Campus events are often influenced too. Trivia nights, themed parties, and organization socials frequently borrow ideas from what’s trending online. Even if celebrity drama doesn’t interest you, knowing the basics lets you join in on the jokes, which makes belonging easier. Pop culture, then, isn’t just entertainment—it’s part of the social glue that holds campus life together.

Where Pop Culture Lives

While pop culture is everywhere, some platforms drive it more than others. TikTok remains the pulse of viral trends, often the birthplace of dances, memes, and soundbites that dominate conversations. Instagram Reels follows closely, extending TikTok content to a wider audience. X, formerly Twitter, continues to thrive as the space for fast-paced commentary and memes tied to news events. Even Pinterest plays a role, sparking aesthetics like “coastal cowgirl” or “clean girl.” Blogs and news sites, from Buzzfeed to PopCrave, round out the mix by packaging cultural moments into quick updates. Together, these platforms shape the constantly moving wave of pop culture.

Examples of Pop Culture in 2025

To put this in context, here are some of the cultural threads shaping 2025. Olivia Rodrigo’s tour has taken over TikTok, with fan edits and outfit inspiration everywhere. Netflix’s Outer Banks has returned, sparking debates among students that rival football rivalries in intensity. The phrase “delulu is the solulu” has slipped into everyday vocabulary, becoming shorthand for optimism. In sports, Caitlin Clark’s WNBA debut has turned women’s basketball into a front-page cultural event. Fashion-wise, Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter has launched cowboy boots and sequins back into the mainstream.

These examples might feel fleeting, but they show how trends filter into student life—in dorms, dining halls, and lecture breaks—where they fuel conversations and connections.

Staying in the Loop Without Overload

Here’s the reality: no one can keep up with everything. Pop culture moves too fast. But keeping up doesn’t mean memorizing every micro-trend—it just means staying aware of the bigger cultural currents.

One way is to follow recap accounts that condense the highlights into quick posts. Another is to pay attention to your For You Page; if something keeps showing up, it’s trending. You can also choose to stay current in areas you care about most, like music, sports, or memes. And sometimes, the simplest method is asking a friend to explain. Staying in the loop is less about being an expert and more about staying engaged.

Pop Culture as Part of Identity

For many students, pop culture becomes part of identity. Being a Swiftie, quoting TikToks in daily conversation, or adopting a particular aesthetic are ways of expressing belonging. Shared cultural touchpoints help people find their communities. Meeting another fan of your favorite show or artist can create hours of conversation. Pop culture, in that sense, is a badge of connection.

Beyond Entertainment: Academic and Career Value

Surprisingly, pop culture has a role outside of fun—it can even be valuable in academics and careers. In communication and PR classes, pop culture serves as an accessible case study of how ideas spread. In marketing, brands rely on cultural trends to connect with younger audiences, from Duolingo’s TikTok owl to McDonald’s collaborations. Even in interviews, being able to reference trends shows awareness of your generation’s voice. For students at UA, staying tuned in is less a waste of time and more a tool that bridges classroom theory with real-world application.

Why This Blog Exists

That’s where Pop Culture 101 comes in. The purpose isn’t to overwhelm you with every viral moment—it’s to provide the essentials. Think of it as a cheat sheet: simple breakdowns of what’s trending, weekly highlights that keep you in the loop, and a focus on what matters most to students. The goal is to help UA students feel confident, connected, and part of the larger conversation shaping their college experience.

Staying in the Loop

If you’ve ever scrolled and thought, “Am I the only one who doesn’t get this?”—you’re not alone. Pop culture moves fast, but you don’t need to know it all to stay connected. With the right approach, you can keep up without feeling overwhelmed.

Save this blog for later, share it with friends, and check back for updates on what’s trending. Because whether it’s the next viral dance, a celebrity meltdown, or a campus meme that suddenly makes national headlines, Pop Culture 101 has you covered.