Bullying tactics:

This is probably the most common stereotype. You probably think of things like how they are either popular girls or jocks that play football. Another thing that tends to pop into people’s mind is how they would shove people against or into lockers, give swirlies, wedgies, and even bully people for wearing glasses. Or you get scenes like Stranger Things Season 5, with a group of bullies walking up to their victims so they’re intimidating them. The walking intimidation tactic in fact sounds like how Disney Channel bullies would act, which are walking stereotypes as they also would have their group copy their dumb insults and laugh like they all just ruined their day, when they really just made viewers laugh at them for acting like that.

While I guess you can somehow argue that these have happened. They’re all considered “outdated” as they’re more just stereotypes from the 80s and 90s. However, when it comes to bullying, bullies would say things that will scar you mentally instead of physically. Some examples of this are movies like ‘Speak’ and ‘Carrie’. Another thing that these two movies have in common when it comes to bullying is ostracization. Throughout their stories, both protagonists become social pariahs, which will cause them to be on their own while watching from the sidelines. With ‘Carrie’, Carrie has been bullied ever since she first started school for her beliefs and is socially awkward, being a doormat as she is shamed for things like missing a volleyball during a game and praying in lunch. Meanwhile, in ‘Speak’, Melinda has had friends until freshman year, when everyone stops talking to her because of what she did over the summer. However, she isn’t shown to be socially awkward. She became mute because of the situation, and seems to understand people around her based on how they act. In a way, they’re both quite similar. However, there’s one more thing that can come with bullied victims, and that is their breaking point. Both have a moment near the end of their stories where they snap! They’re tired of the trauma and mental torture they had faced, and they end up defending themselves from the people that caused it. Moments like these are when viewers are cheering as they watch the suspense unfold.

Even though I might have gone on a tangent, stories like these are what help people (especially teens) feel connected and remember these characters with their unique writing. Both Carrie and Melinda are not only relatable, but the bullying is realistic as it’s something that can happen today. Even though the bullying stereotypes I mentioned were from the 80s and 90s at least, both movies originated from books that came out around those decades! (‘Carrie’ by Stephen King released in 1974, while ‘Speak’ by Laurie Halse Anderson released in 1999.) So even with origins of high school bullying depicted in media, and the stereotypes that came along with it, these two stories managed to keep things grounded (and also created timeless stories).

Popular/Mean girls:

Ah yes, another common antagonist for our favorite teen protagonists. They tended to be white, blonde girls wearing pink and were always either cheerleaders, rich girls, or even both. They would tend to pretend to be nice so they could hide their true character, or say snarky comments to other people who they believed were below them. There would also always be 3 girls, one leader, two followers and they would call themselves a weird group name (like an acronym for their names) and say it loud and proud.

Now that I think about it, this sounds a lot like ‘Mean Girls’. Minus the fact they weren’t cheerleaders, the plastics were a group of three, consisting of Regina as the “queen bee” while Gretchen and Karen were her “workers”. But unlike the trope, no one but Janis (Regina’s ex friend) calls them that, along with other insults. But what about everything else mentioned above? Well throughout the movie, as the new girl Cady is added to the group, you start to realize how subtle Regina is when they first meet. After saving her from a creep during lunch, Regina invites Cady to sit at her table. She then asks her how she doesn’t know her and thinks she’s interesting because Cady tells her that she’s homeschooled. Right after that, she tells Cady that she's “really pretty”, and Cady thanks her. Then Regina says this, “So you agree? You think you’re really pretty?” It throws off Cady while Regina continues to smile, making Cady (and the audience) feel threatened and off because of that. Then immediately after, Regina focuses on complementing Cady’s bracelet. This shows that she knows what she’s doing, trying to present herself as nice while trying to manipulate and analyze her. This works as Cady tells Janis that she seemed sweet, making Janis mad as she knows the truth. This is just the tip of the iceberg of the manipulation spread throughout the movie.

What’s interesting to point out is that at the beginning of the movie, as the opening credits play, ‘Mean Girls’ credits a book called “Queen Bees and Wannabes” by Rosalind Wiseman as something that the movie is based on. Well, what does the book have to do with this gem of a movie? Well, the book is a how-to guide for mothers that want to try to connect with their teenage daughters about facing “girl world”. It’s considered nonfiction because of all of the tips and tricks discussed throughout as multiple girls are discussing things that happened to them while they were in school and being in “girl world”. With that being said, many of the things that happen in the book happen in the movie. This book helped Tina Fey write the movie, while also using personal experiences like being told “You think you’re really pretty?” in school. This just goes to show how realistic ‘Mean Girls’ is with its portrayal of teenage girls in high school. Regina could very much in fact be a real person someone had met during high school. It’s something that’s heavily praised whenever people talk about the movie. That and how timeless and quotable it is. In fact, you could say that the movie has the tropes I brought up before. Tropes like slang, main characters, and bullying tactics are all shown in ‘Mean Girls’, and they’re written and shown flawlessly. That’s what made this movie a gem, and nowadays it seems like many of the teen movies and quite possibly shows try to replicate. They try to replicate everything that made ‘Mean Girls’ iconic while not understanding what it did right.

Overall, there are both good and bad examples of high school/teen tropes shown on TV. These “stereotypes” are just common tropes in media that make viewers laugh, make fun of, and/or cringe because of how inaccurate they are. Meanwhile, if these common tropes are written well with good characters and dialogue, they make viewers appreciate the movie or show and can help them relate to other characters.

Now it’s different. With just a phone, any musician can share their music with the whole world. You don’t need a fancy studio or expensive gear, you just need your voice or instrument, your phone, and an app. Social media helps small musicians get noticed, build fans, and even sell their music without leaving home.

First, social media helps new people find you. This is one of the biggest changes. On TikTok, the “For You” page shows videos to people based on what they like to listen to. It does not matter if they follow you or not. If someone likes watching music videos, TikTok might show them yours. That means one good song clip can reach tons of new people fast, even while you sleep. Instagram is great for music too. Lots of people find new musicians while they scroll through Reels and stories. Many music fans also use Instagram to look for new songs to add to playlists, so the people who might love your sound are already on these apps every day. You just have to post so they can find you.

Second, people really enjoy watching how music is made. They don’t want to just hear the final song, they want to see the steps. They like short clips of you writing lyrics in a notebook. They like videos where you try out a new guitar riff or fix a part that sounds wrong. They like quick tours of your bedroom studio or your keyboard setup. These videos feel real and fun. When viewers watch the whole video, the app notices. Then it shares that video with more people, which brings in new fans. Those fans often come back to your page to hear what you’ll make next. It’s like they’re following your music journey one song at a time.

Third, musicians can talk directly with fans. This was hard to do before. Now you can reply to comments right under your post. You can say thanks when someone shares your song with their friends. You can ask questions like, “What should I write about next?” or “Which version sounds better?” When you talk to people, they feel like they know you. That turns followers into a real community that cares about you and your music. Since most people use social media every day, your page is often the first place someone looks if they want to book you or buy your song. If your page looks active and friendly, people trust you more. They can see that you’re a real person who makes music all the time.

Fourth, selling music is way easier now. You don’t need your own store or record deal to start. On Instagram, people can tap a link in your bio to buy your song or merch. Other websites help even more. You can upload a track once, then the site can sell it as a download or stream, and can also put your logo on shirts, hats, or stickers. When someone orders, the site prints it, packs it, and ships it for you. You don’t have to touch boxes or go to the post office, you just keep making music and get paid when things sell. This helps musicians make money even when they aren’t playing shows. It also lets fans support you by buying something small, like a sticker, if they can’t buy a whole album.

You don’t need to go viral to do well. One huge video is nice, but posting often helps more in the long run. Try sharing a few times a week on Instagram. On TikTok, you can post once or twice a day if you want. Small musicians usually get more likes and comments on TikTok than on other apps, because people there love finding new artists. One more tip, keep your page sounding and looking the same. Use the same intro, style, or way of filming. When people scroll, they will see your post and think, “I know this musician!” It starts to feel like your own online music room that people want to visit.

Social media gives small musicians a fair shot. You don’t have to wait for a label to choose you. You don’t need to live in a big city. You can share your songs, meet fans from all over, and sell music right from your home. It still takes work and time. You have to keep writing and keep posting. But the tools are free, and you already have them in your hand. Pick one app you like the most and show how you make your music, not just the final song. Use a few simple hashtags so people can find you. Talk to the people who comment and support you. Do that again and again, and that’s how music can turn into a job, one post at a time.

Social media is designed for rewarding engagement, algorithms push out emotionally charged things; conflict, call-outs, scandals, just because it’ll keep most people engaged. Over time, this creates an environment where drama isn’t frowned upon but instead it is amplified and rewarded. A disagreement that should’ve stayed private can now spiral into a public spectacle, complete with engaged viewers, differing sides, and narrators. What hasn’t changed isn’t just the access to drama but the sense of personal involvement. People begin to feel like participants in a situation that has nothing to do with them. They begin to argue in comments, dissect people's lives and relationships, careers, and personal decisions with such intensity you would think they knew them personally. 

The effect of this isn’t inner peace or moral gratification but an actual change in how fast we judge people and situations without having the whole picture, scenes, and stories on social media that’s heavily edited. The emotional investment is draining and can cause a reduction in empathy. These things make conflict feel more acceptable or entertaining. It can cause a performative mindset, where people may be more inclined to respond more boldly or publicly to get the same attention they’re dishing out behind the screen. So before you engage with any drama, ask yourself, “Does this really have anything to do with me or am I just bored?

In addition to reducing stress, music can also help with focusing and being productive. Many students find that listening to background music while studying helps them to concentrate better. Even though some people may disagree that music helps you to focus better and instead creates a distraction, others find that the rhythm of the music makes it easier for them to stay on task. For some people, it becomes a part of their routine, because they need the music in order to become productive.

Music also provides a way to express students’ feelings. Students mostly use music as a way to process their emotions/feelings, whether they’re dealing with academic pressure, social challenges, or personal struggles. Certain songs can help people feel understood and less lonely, especially when they listen to lyrics that they can relate to. Because of this, music becomes more than a form of entertainment, but it becomes more of a form of support.

Another benefit of music is that it’s able to boost students’ motivation. Songs that are more upbeat can help energize students when they’re feeling tired or unmotivated, which can help them to push through the school day. Whether you’re playing music while getting ready in the morning or finishing homework late at night, the right songs or playlist can help your day feel more manageable.

Finally, music can also inspire creativity, which is another way students can help manage stress. Whether it’s through writing, drawing, or even creating their own music, listening to music can help students to come up with new ideas and to express themselves in other creative ways. This not only takes their mind off of the stress that they're facing in either school or work, but it also gives them a sense of accomplishment. In a hectic school year, creativity that’s fueled by music can be a powerful way for students to redirect their stress and recharge.

In a school environment where stress is common, music offers a simple and effective way for students to take care of their mental health and stress. Whether it’s used for relaxation, focus, emotional expression, or creativity, music plays an important role in helping students navigate through their challenges throughout the school year.

In a society saturated with media, it is critical to question why you resonate with a particular story told over the abundance of other pieces you may have consumed. Does it reflect your inner thoughts and feelings? Does it carry a shared cultural experience? Do you feel a deep connection to the story portrayed? A form of media that presents aspects of society, such as gender, age, or ethnicity, is representation, and everything you see on screen is carefully conveyed by the producer to portray a certain message to viewers. Whether you realize it or not, media representation holds the power to shape your knowledge and understanding of a topic. Largely, representation in the media can also influence societal ideas and attitudes towards specific topics. For example, you can think of a photo you may want to post to your social media page. You first have to think of what you want to include and what you don’t want to include within the frame. These decisions are influenced by your own viewpoint, experience, and intentions, which are inspired by the story you want to tell through your photos. Say you are posting a beach trip you have taken with your friends, maybe you capture a photo of you and your friends playing volleyball, which may read to your audience as a lively group trip, whereas capturing the sunset with footprints on the sand could portray a quiet solo-trip. By making these decisions, you are deciding how you want your subject, in this case the beach, to be represented, and the message you want to convey to your audience determines how you take the photo. Just as you decide what to leave in or omit from your photo, professional media producers decide how they want to portray a subject through their own content as well. All media is a representation of something, purposefully constructed to impose a desired meaning. And when there is an abundance of diversity to be represented, it is vital to produce content that many can resonate with. 

Within a world revolving around fast-paced media, visibility has flourished, serving as a force shaping our societal values and individual identities. Yet, representation of specific cultures, experiences, orientations, or identities is not something that solely exists in media; it is a spectrum to be explored. When the media fails to fully represent unique human experiences, it can lead to the misrepresentation of entire communities, and when consistently excluded or reduced to mere stereotypes, the audience consuming this content may internalize these limited portrayals as normal. An undoubtedly inaccurate portrayal of Asian culture can be seen in older films like Breakfast at Tiffany's. In the Hollywood movie, the Japanese character Mr. Yunioshil is portrayed by a white actor with an exaggerated accent and makeup to reinforce stereotypes. This representation demeans an entire culture and reduces it to a caricature; audiences at the time and even later viewers could internalize this harmful representation as acceptable, shaping bias and perceptions. Furthermore, early portrayals of the LGBTQ+ community in shows were often comedic relief, tragic, or one-dimensional. Repeatedly portraying LGBTQ+ characters with stereotypes makes experiences seem one-dimensional and erases the diversity of real experiences. Authentic and diverse representations hold the power to challenge stereotypes. When the media includes a wide range of voices and experiences, it creates deeper understandings of society. It shows audiences' perspectives beyond their own, promoting empathy, understanding, and reducing ignorance. It offers a sense of belonging and validation to individuals who may rarely see themselves represented in the media. This improves the quality of media and ensures that storytelling is not confined to one dominant perspective. A strong modern-day example of real and colorful representation can be seen in the movie Coco, a movie centered around Mexican traditions, especially Dia de los Muertos. It is carefully portrayed with beautiful authenticity and care, embracing family connection, traditional music, and traditions. Allowing audiences inside and outside the Mexican community to deeply understand and appreciate the culture's significance. For viewers with similar experiences as portrayed within the film, it helps them feel seen and validated when their traditions are represented accurately. 

All in all, the media isn’t merely about what entertains us; it's about how we come to understand ourselves and others. Stories often resonate with individuals because we see parts of ourselves reflected in them, or because they open our eyes to new experiences we may have never considered before. When representation is authentic and diverse, it helps people feel seen, understood, and validated. As both consumers and creators of media, it is essential to recognize its impact and fight for the representation that reflects the beautiful complexity of human experiences.