Social Apps For College Students You Should Be Using

College Social Media Apps

As a college student, you balance classes, homework, extra-curricular activities, job applications, internships, and maybe a few side projects. It is like a four-year master class in time management. Now you are ready to let loose and live the libertine alcohol-fueled, collegiate lifestyle that Hollywood has long promised you!

College is filled with all sorts of confused, eager folks like you. It can be difficult to find your footing, socially. You will have the dorm, the quad, and the cafeteria. Surely, there is more! Well, lucky for you, there is, college face. Thanks to technology, the entire world is just a few taps away.

You have grown up with digital connections spreading in all directions; however, chances are that your virtual tendrils did not expand far beyond your high school. Now you have the chance to meet hundreds, if not thousands of new people, both in and out of your new academic home.

In addition, most of these new connections will be sought out in the name of nookie rather than knowledge. Whatever way you can, solidify those connections. Because soon enough you will be cast out into the cold, jobless hells cape of real life. Moreover, you are going to need all the connections you can manage.

Below are some of the social apps that you do not want to miss:

 1. School-Centric Apps

Your school probably has some kind of dedicated app. A quick survey showed us that these apps seem to be little more than ported versions of the school's website. However, these edu-niche apps also tend to include info like upcoming events calendars that are central to any self-respecting undergrad's social life.

One thing that can either make or break your first year is your roommate. In addition, colleges are hoping to alleviate some of that angst by allowing incoming students to use services like RoomSync or StarRez to find their ideal match rather than taking a chance on a random. Be sure to ask if your college offers some sort of roommate-finding software or app.

 2. Tinder

It may not say great things about our society, but the quick and easy dating app Tinder is a full-on cultural force. Since it only allows communication between people who mutually like each other, you will not be bogged down with random, unsolicited love notes. In addition, swiping left or right on, a picture is a lot less stressful than combing through an entire profile. Whether you are looking for the love of your life or something more casual, you should try out Tinder.

 3. SnapChat

No, you should not trust Snapchat to be your go-to ephemeral image service. Everything you post on the Web is indeed forever. However, Snapchat's run as a disposable-image repository was like four or five pivots ago. Snapchat has against all odds evolved into a legit full-featured platform and one you will definitely need to enhance your social life.

 4. Instagram

Instagram is a light photo-editing and sharing app. Most of the camera filters that you can apply to images will give them a retro-hip style, but they are fun and can turn out some rather beautiful images with a little practice. It is fun to browse through other people’s images too.    

 5. Facebook

Have you heard of this little website and app startup called Facebook? You can say that it is mostly for old people, but its ubiquity and widespread adoption makes it the best way to keep up with your social circle and find locals with similar interests. Your school probably has a page for incoming freshman to chat and get to know one another before you arrive on campus.

 6. Grindr

If you are a dude who is into other dudes, and are finally out on your own and ready to explore, then Grindr is the meet-local-meat service for you! I guess the good people at Grindr (iOS, Android) cannot stop anyone who is not a gay man from signing up, but if you are not, there is really nothing here for you.

 7. Date My School

This site and associated apps (iOS, Android) may be more important for your post-college career than to present-day you, but DateMySchool also features plenty of current students looking to meet and mingle. All members must be verified via an official school email, so you know they are cool because your school would not let any weirdos in, would they?

 8. OKCupid

Less let's-get-down-to-it than Tinder, but still far from, say, eHarmony, iOKCupid (iOS, Android) is a must-have for your newly emancipated single life. OKCupid crunches data points to suggest relationships based on shared interests, but it also allows users to choose those with whom they might want to mix and mingle.

 9. Badoo

Are you not familiar with Badoo (iOS, Android)? That is okay, it is just because you are an American. However, trust us; it is a big deal in other parts of the world. 
While the 8-year-old site has been losing popularity recently, it is still in the top 200 of all sites around the globe. Therefore, if you had an eye on that certain exchange student from Latin America or southern Europe, this might be your best digital "in."

 10. MeetUp

Do you like canoeing?  Do want to meet other people near your school who like canoeing? MeetUp.com or its associated apps (iOS, Android) will allow you to find, meet, and organize with fellow canoe enthusiasts in your area.

 11. Twitter

It helped ignite revolutions the world over.  However, you can use it to find locals based on location and search hashtags to find people who share similar interests.

 12. Swarm

I am still not sure why Foursquare launched a new app instead of just updating the old one, but that is exactly what the foursquare brass decided on. Foursquare, the app, has transformed into some kind of Yelp competitor. Meanwhile, you can still check-in via the Swarm app (iOS,Android) which also allows users to find nearby friends and message them. In addition, it just got Foursquare-style mayor ships back! 
Are you wondering if anyone within walking distance wants to join you for pizza or skee-ball or random wanton destruction? Whatever you are into, Swarm has you covered.

 13. Hot or Not

Those of a certain age may remember the turn-of-the-millennium site, Hot or Not, which allowed users to vote if other users were either "hot" or if they were "not." It was a noted influence on a young Harvard undergrad named Mark Zuckerberg. He borrowed, stole, and amalgamated the beast that would become Facebook. Well, now it is back. In addition, it is basically a Tinder rip-off, but one that's rapidly gaining in popularity.

 14. LinkedIn

Theoretically, you are in college to help you launch your desired career. LinkedIn is a way to keep in touch with employers and co-workers at internships, but perhaps more importantly it allows you to meet new people based on similar interests or those who attend your college or university.

The above apps are some of the best social apps that every college student should download. This way you can meet people and have an interesting social life.