In this flourishing digital age, we all live in a world where creators now dominate. Most college students see vloggers filming themselves around campus on a daily basis. The phrase “smash that like button” lives among the haunting array of atrocities that plague our nightmares. These YouTubers, though, provide huge insight into the life of a college student and beyond. They offer guidance to the average student like you and me doing their best to survive hell–I mean college. Nowadays, I know a lot of us find ourselves either missing campus or itching to do something new. This quarantine gives perfect timing to get into some new YouTube channels. You can only rewatch David Dobrik’s vlogs so many times people.
Keep reading for 15 top YouTube channels worth turning post notifications on for.
1. Brooklyn&Bailey (Brooklyn and Bailey McKnight)
Kicking off the list with a dynamic duo who amassed nearly seven million subscribers on their channel. The twins, Brooklyn and Bailey McKnight, who now attend Baylor University in Waco, Texas, began creating content in 2013. They continued their YouTube journey as they decided to vlog their college lives. Their channel encompasses everything that we know and love about YouTube. They film it all, from crazy challenges and pranks to DIY tutorials to music and so much more. “Brooklyn and Bailey still make the same types of videos that got me into YouTube,” said University of Florida junior Maria Dominguez. A twin myself, I can’t say I’m not a little biased. Regardless, Brooklyn and Bailey have enough videos to keep anyone bored in the house binging for days.
2. Yoora Jung
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OX4EFdysEA
Created by Yoora Jung her senior year of high school in 2017, this channel now mainly consists of college vlogs. As a pre-med student at the University of Notre Dame, Jung developed a playlist dedicated entirely to these videos. She covers topics from life on the pre-med track to partying. So basically everything you could expect from a typical college student. In Jung’s videos she speaks English and Korean and provides subtitles in both languages, something unique in the YouTube community. Her series of Korea travel vlogs also stand out. They allowed an aspiring globetrotter like me to live vicariously through her and her adventures in Seoul.
3. syd’s vids (Sydney Asencio)
Run by Penn State University student Sydney Asencio, syd’s vids came to life on YouTube in 2015. Asencio’s channel earned over 600,000 subscribers with over 200 videos and vlogs of her growing up throughout the years. Her videos now mostly focus on her college experience (lucky for us). Asencio’s videos showcase her most authentic self (this arguably being the best part about them). Her channel shows us a normal, charismatic girl who keeps up with the latest trends all while keeping it real. As Paris Hilton would say, that’s hot. This definitely guarantees a status as one of the top YouTube channels for college students.
4. Danielle Marie Carolan
University of Georgia student Danielle Marie Carolan doubles as your go-to for anything college and fashion. Carolan’s channel features a variety of video styles, from lifestyle vlogs to clothes and beauty hauls to Q&A’s. “She’s the reason I do spin, she inspired my podcast and I love the way she dresses. All her videos are super aesthetically pleasing and fun,” said University of Southern Florida graduate student Carmen Florez. Carolan remains open and candid with her audience and combines that with versatile content. All of this clearly impacts her subscribers in a huge way, making this one of the top YouTube channels worth the subscription.
5. Brooke Miccio
Next up, University of Georgia alumna Brooke Miccio’s channel. Coincidentally her and Danielle Marie Carolan, friends in real-life, collaborate on a podcast together called Gals on the Go. “My favorite thing to film was a graduation week-in-my-life I did because I got to see all the mix of emotions, I was crying, and it’s like a visual diary that I will always get to look back on,” Miccio said. Miccio posted vlogs documenting her college experience, including an incredible college reflection video she posted upon graduating. Even after college she continues to create, posting videos about her post-grad life and experiences. Her videos make an awesome guide for those gearing up for their last few semesters at college.
6. Margot Lee
With almost half a million subscribers, Margot Lee’s channel gives you a little bit of everything. She posts about lifestyle, health, fashion and of course, college. Lee graduated from Syracuse University this past spring and posted over 50 videos about her time there. “She makes the whole idea of college life a lot simpler and more engaging. I often find her at the forefront of a lot of video trends as they start to gain popularity,” said Princeton University freshman Mariana Bravo. Notably, Lee recently posted a Q&A session with fellow Syracuse students to help out prospective students unable to visit campus due to quarantine.
7. Keegan Acton
Keegan Acton’s channel deserves your subscription ASAP. Acton, a sophomore at Arizona State University, created over 400 posts on her channel. The majority of her videos document her college experience with vlogs featuring her internships, studying, dorm and more. Also, Acton dedicated a playlist to sorority videos, which gives an inside look into her experience both rushing and joining. She always remains genuine on her channel, filling in her viewers on her most personal experiences. Her transparency and honesty remain truly refreshing in this time where a lot of things are uncertain. For this reason, Acton definitely earns her spot on this list of top YouTube channels.
8. Sienna Santer
Sienna Santer posted her first video at the end of 2018. As of now she secured a following of over 384,000 subscribers and two years at Harvard University under her belt. What, like it’s hard? Harvard holds the status of one of the most prestigious universities in the world and the dream school for thousands. Santer’s channel allows those interested in attending the chance to watch the adventures of an actual student. As much as we all love “Legally Blonde,” the movie doesn’t qualify as entirely accurate in its portrayal of Harvard. Santer’s vlogs give the real deal and endorphins, which make you happy. I promise that is my last “Legally Blonde” reference.
9. Kiara Madisen (Kiara Madison Green)
University of Oregon senior Kiara Madison Green runs this college/lifestyle channel. When I say lifestyle, I mean it in every sense of the word. Green does it all. I could describe her as a human physiology major and Chi Omega sorority sister. Or as a member of UO’s ski race team and participant in a study abroad program. With a schedule both well-rounded and busy alike, it makes sense for her channel to reflect that same dynamic. Green also uploads plenty of videos dedicated to fashion, travel, design, health and her general lifestyle. “I really wanted to show people that college is doable, and despite feeling overwhelmed at times, your experience does not have to be entirely shaped by stress,” Green said. For those struggling to find balance I offer Green, with one of the top YouTube channels for college students, as your secret weapon. Just like and subscribe.
10. Hannah Elise (Hannah Elise Maute)
Some of us need a not-so-typical college experience to relate to. Look no further, Hannah Elise Maute will give you just that. Maute experienced being a transfer and commuter student and changing her major after declaring. Clearly, she offers a very unique perspective on college. Maute documented her own experience dealing with all of this in her videos. She sugarcoats nothing and dishes out everything to help college students like her going through the same things. As well, she created several personal videos providing advice about mental health, relationships and how to get started on YouTube.
11. Kharma Medic (Nasir Kharma)
Shout out to all my pre-med students out there, I included this one for you. Hearing the familiar sound of another pre-med student in crisis, the universe delivered this YouTuber to help you out. King’s College London University medical student Nasir Kharma so far posted over 100 videos to his YouTube channel. He discusses everything from medical school vlogs to test and application prep. “The day I got accepted to medical school I made a promise to myself that I would help 10 other students achieve the same goal… students sharing similar experiences or talking about how they want to implement something I did into their own lifestyle is amazing,” Kharma said. Kharma’s content primarily caters towards the European medical exams. However, his videos provide useful information to anyone curious about the life and experience of someone going through medical school.
12. A L L I S O N (Allison Bickerstaff)
As a Florida Gator myself, I definitely had to include Allison Bickerstaff’s, University of Florida alumna, channel. Bickerstaff offers a lot of really unique content in her videos. She has shared about her internship at Universal Studios to her current job working for Disney. Bickerstaff also posted about her faith and wedding, as well as her day-to-day life during her time at UF. Throughout the playlist she dedicated to college content, she showcases day-in-the-life posts as well as dorm and organization videos. She even provided tips on applying to college and getting into UF. Like Hannah Montana, you get the best of both worlds with access to Bickerstaff’s experience during and after college.
13. Lipsticks and Lattes (Grace Anne)
For all my pre-law students, I promise I didn’t forget about you. Grace Anne, who just recently earned her law degree, runs this multi-faceted channel. Grace attended law school in New York and studied criminal justice and psychology as an undergraduate student. Grace covers every single aspect revolving around law school in her videos. She shows it all, from general day-in-the-life to studying to her experience as a legal intern. You can’t put just one label on Grace’s channel though. In most of her law school videos, Grace throws in other subjects from beauty to fashion to her personal life. Without a doubt, this law student totally owns balancing work and play. Enough so to make even Elle Woods proud (I lied; this is my last “Legally Blonde” reference).
14. Gracie O’Connor
University of Alabama student Gracie O’Connor’s channel features tons of videos on daily college life, sorority experiences and much more. O’Connor keeps her subscribers well-fed with content, even making sure to post plenty of videos during quarantine. However, this channel makes the list of top YouTube channels because of O’Connor’s Semester at Sea videos. If you don’t know, this unique study abroad experience allows students to take their classes on a ship for a semester. While overseas, these students also get to travel to loads of really cool countries. These videos are a must to binge for anyone interested in Semester at Sea, studying abroad, or travel in general.
15. Marissa Nicole
Recent Ohio State University graduate Marissa Nicole definitely broke the record for most college content on this list of top YouTube channels. She created three playlists (each with over 50 videos) dedicated to the subject. Marissa covers everything from hacks and tips to day-in-the-life vlogs to videos on her experience at Ohio State. Her videos will help you through every challenge you may face throughout college. “I started watching Marissa Nicole before I came into college because she’s really relatable. Her posts on how to save money helped me a lot,” said University of Florida sophomore Daisy Facio. Also, Marissa created dozens of videos on her channel covering Greek life, general advice and my favorite, bullet journaling. Ultimately, Marissa and her channel strive to help others. That really shines through, not only through the quantity, but also the quality of her videos.
