If you ask any senior what is being referenced with the phrases “my best friend is off to…” or “____ just got so lucky,” they will know exactly what you are talking about. While these phrases may  seem incomplete, they are the epitome of college announcements on social media. 

As the majority of university Early Decision application status updates have come out within the last few months, social media has become increasingly difficult for some students to even open. With the incessant congratulatory posts from friends flooding the social media app, those that have not yet gotten into college are struggling to not panic in the face of Ivy League and dream-school acceptance announcements. 

While these announcements may make some students resent opening up Instagram, they are ultimately a way of showing support. Students should not have to hide their achievements because their exciting announcement might cause others to get a little stressed out. True friends are happy for one another and will be happy to congratulate regardless of whether they themselves are getting congratulated or consoled. They will not ask others to dull their enthusiasm.

For students that dislike these announcements to the point where the posts are causing them anxiety, there is an easy fix— stay off of Instagram. If it pains you to see others doing well, delete the app and take a social media cleanse.

While social media is certainly a hub for these announcements, students are inevitably going to hear what colleges others are going to, whether they hear from an Instagram story or from the person themself. Where a student is going to college is not a classified secret. Even if the posts were to stop, there is no way to fully block out hearing about these acceptances. Eventually, everyone is going to know where everyone else is going. 

While understandable that it can be upsetting for students that just got rejected from a college to open up Instagram and find out that someone else just got accepted into that same college, it is not insensitive of someone that just got an acceptance to be excited. Nevertheless, students should not be upset by the realization that some random old friend that was in their kindergarten class is now going to Harvard and they are not. If it was you that just got into Harvard, you would want your friends to congratulate you too. 

Additionally, by portraying education in a beneficial light, these social media posts create a positive association with the idea of going to college, which may cause some students to pursue further education who might otherwise not have been looking to go to college or even graduate high school. These social media posts help students see what is achievable.

The representation of multiple different schools gives new ideas and possibilities of universities to people who have not yet discovered them and those who are just beginning their own college search. While some people may be posting acceptances to Ivy League schools, all types of universities are represented in these congratulatory posts, showing students that they don’t have to be attending the #1 school in the nation for people to be proud of them. 

Whether an Instagram story, a decorated bed or even just a cake, students are celebrating. We should let them.