When I first started these new age inspiration interviews, they were with the aim of introducing you to creatives, brands and individuals paving the way for a better future in the fashion industry. They inspire me, but they’re not the only people that do. In a sense, I am often split into the lover of academia and an ethical fashion writer; although it would be wrong to assume a concrete block of one interest.
StudyTube, the umbrella term used to describe the niche of YouTube whereby YouTubers share their academic lives, inside and outside of their respective institutions, has become increasingly influential to young lives. Inspiring high academic aspirations, aiding students achieve the grades they desire whilst continuing to engage in a discourse of mental health and life outside study, there is no question that they are inspirational to many.
The StudyTube community on Youtube is sometimes perceived to encourage unhealthy habits with regards to studying but it is the StudyTubers themselves who are dispelling the myth. Ultimately, they are inspiring a new generation of those who share a love for learning. I acquainted leaving Bristol with academic failure, despite receiving good grades during the time I was there. Achieving high results may have some importance but are not an indicator of academic success; it can be a highly personal journey and I think the recent Studytube project on Youtube is a great indicator that you can love learning for the sake of learning – engaging in a changing discourse around discovering new things and not for an academic goal, target or assignment.
Eve Bennett, Spanish and German student at Oxford University, StudyTube queen and one of my own personal academic inspirations (the week I spent at the UN was a result of watching her own experience) is today’s #anewageinspiration. I asked her what first inspired her to make ‘studytube’ content, her literary inspirations and what is inspiring her during lockdown.
What inspired you to first start making ‘StudyTube’ content?
I kind of came into the whole study tube thing by accident, actually! I posted a couple of videos on my old channel (which was mainly beauty focussed) about how I was revising for my GCSEs and they got SO many views and hundreds of comments asking for more similar content! I suppose I’d always enjoyed school but it was only in Year 11 when I realised I was actually very academic and passionate about my education, and there was a serious lack of educational content both in terms of how to revise and just a general insight into student life on YouTube back in 2016. I was lucky enough to have amazing teachers and so I decided to set up a separate channel to pass on advice I’d picked up to people who didn’t have access to those resources, and the rest, as they say, is history!
How do you feel your videos have evolved and how do you think that might change in the future?
When I left school and moved to university, my videos definitely shifted focus from specific revision methods to documenting university life. It’s really hard to give advice on how to revise at uni as each university is so different and it’s really not a case of memorising like it is at school. There is, however, a lot to be gained by showing what life at university is really like, especially at universities like Oxford that are shrouded in this cloud of mystery. I really wanted to demystify the experience, document the highs and lows of university life and show my younger viewers that Oxford IS for everyone, not just people who drink champagne for breakfast. I’m off on my year abroad (well at least I pray I am) in September and so for that year I’ll definitely be doing more videos focussing on studying and working in a foreign country and language learning, and then when I graduate in 2022 I guess it’ll depend on whether I end up doing a masters or delving straight into a job as to what content I make!
Your videos discussing mental health, particularly the late night (tispy) chats, are incredibly reassuring to younger viewers who may not have access to that type of advice. If you had to give one piece of advice to your younger self what would it be?
Oh goodness, I would have so much to say. Obviously it’s natural to grow and learn over your teenage years, but good lord I could have made my life so much easier. I think I would say to her that her high levels of perfectionism and low levels of self-confidence weren’t just part and parcel of life, and that she should talk to someone about how that impacts her life rather than suffering in silence! Would have made for a much easier few years.
What, or who, is currently inspiring you now during this lockdown period?
All of the incredible NHS staff working day and night to keep us safe, they deserve so much more credit that they were getting until this whole pandemic broke out.
If you had to pick one book to be your literary inspiration what would it be and why?
Jesus that’s so hard! If we are talking about a fiction book I have always loved Jane Eyre, a beautifully written book about a strong and resilient female who I looked up to immensely growing up. If we are talking non-fiction, 100% How To Fail by Elizabeth Day, I read this book when I was at my lowest in 2019 and it still helps me now in terms of the change it brought to my outlook on certain parts of my life.
There is no doubt that your studying content, as well as your videos encouraging greater access to Oxford have had a profound impact on those who watch your videos. Can it feel overwhelming at times and if so, what has helped you ease these feelings?
I don’t think I’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the amount of people watching me, just because I’ve grown up on YouTube and so it feels normal to me. Sometimes I do get overwhelmed by the constant scrutiny you are subject to being on the Internet, it definitely made things much much worse when I was at breaking point mentally and trying not to show it on the camera. I felt like I was two different people and it made me even more detached from reality than I already was. I am, however, so SO heartened by all the messages I get and people I meet who tell me that my videos helped them improve their grades, get into their dream uni or land their dream job, every single time that happens I feel so overwhelmed but in a good way. It’s sometimes easy to forget that the views on your videos are real people and that you are having a concrete impact on people’s lives. I am both incredibly proud and incredibly thankful that I get the opportunity to do that.
The creation of The Studytube Project is a brilliant initiative to inspire and keep students learning during lockdown – I particularly loved your Spanish Golden Age video as I am going to be studying Spanish ab initio come September. Do you have advice for students – whether that be GCSEs, A Level or University, during lockdown to help take their minds off this incredibly strange and often daunting time? Any resources?
Spanish ab initio!!!! Wow!! Mucha suerte girl!!! I started studying Spanish relatively late at the age of 15 and I still struggle sometimes with the basics as we learnt them so fast, but I am sure you’ll smash it! I’m glad you liked my Golden Age video, it’s an absolutely fascinating period of time and definitely my favourite to study!
In terms of advice I would say the key at the moment is to GO EASY ON YOURSELF! You’re living through a pandemic and that in itself is quite literally an achievement – take it slow, do what you can and remember it will pass and you will be able to get back on track. 1000% would recommend Bitesize who are doing online lessons, as well as Skill Share if people fancy learning new things now exams are cancelled.
It was so lovely to talk to Eve, as she is a new age inspiration for so many young people; providing both academic motivation, honesty and an insight into student life. You can subscribe to Eve on Youtube or follow her on Instagram or Twitter, of which she also has an account for her journalistic work.
lots of love, eleanor xx
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