We sat with Angelica Georges as she shares her journey of academic transformation and how sheās helping students excel through practical advice. Discover her top tips for balancing school and life, and how social media can be a powerful tool for students.
What inspired you to start sharing academic tips and tricks on social media, and how has this journey evolved since you began in 2021?
When I was in high school, I wasnāt motivated or involved in school. My focus was elsewhere, and academics were not a priority for me. However, meeting the right people and gaining perspective made me realize I needed to take my future more seriously. Toward the end of high school, I turned my life around, becoming more dedicated to my studies. By the time I reached university, I was fully focused, living up to my potential, and consistently achieving grades in the 90s.
Then COVID-19 happened.
As a creator who has connected with millions of students, Iāve observed the challenges students face today. Isolation, lack of motivation, and uncertainty about the future are just a few. During the pandemic, I experienced my own struggles. I was laid off from my part-time job, stuck at home, and adjusting to online school. This forced me to reflect on what I was truly good at and how I could help others.
I realized that being a student was my strength. I had turned my life around academically, and I wondered if I could help others do the sameāespecially during a time when so many students needed extra support. This idea sparked a new chapter in my life. I started a blog to share my school tips and experiences, which eventually evolved into video content on TikTok.
Within just eight months, my TikTok blew up, and I reached 2 million followers. What started as a way to share advice with students became something much bigger. Over time, Iāve continued sharing practical tips and tricks across TikTok and other platforms, helping students overcome challenges and achieve their academic goals.
What Iāve learned through this journey is that the right guidance and motivation can completely change a studentās trajectory. My story is proof that itās never too late to take control of your future. Through my content, I aim to inspire students to reach their potential and show them that theyāre not alone in their struggles. The rest, as they say, is history.
What are your top three tips for students who want to excel academically while maintaining a healthy work-life balance?
Maintaining a balance between academics and life outside of school is all about intentionality!! Here are my top three tips for excelling academically while maintaining a healthy work-life balance:
Time-block your schedule (my favourite!)
This is about setting specific blocks in your calendar everyday for studying, working, and personal activities, and ensuring you include timeĀ also to relax and recharge. Knowing exactly when youāll study prevents procrastination and helps you fully focus on the specific tasks you have during those hours. It also allows you to enjoy your downtime guilt-free because youāve already dedicated time to your responsibilities.
Prioritizing quality over quantity
Over time, I learned that you donāt need to spend hours staring at your notes to succeed – in fact, it can be counterproductive. The best thing to do is studying smarter, not harder. Using active recall, blurting, or other proven study techniques to retain information faster and more effectively. This leaves you with more time to spend on hobbies, self-care, or socializing, all of which are essential for maintaining balance.
Build daily habits that support your goals
Last but not least, it’s important to remember that success is built on small, consistent actions. Develop habits like reviewing your notes for 10 minutes daily, keeping a to-do list, or exercising regularly to manage stress. These types of habits create structure in your life, which makes it easier to stay on top of schoolwork without feeling overwhelmed. Over time, these simple practices add up, which helps achieve goals while keeping your mental and physical health intact.
What role do you believe social media plays in shaping the student experience today, and how can students use it positively?
Social media has become a huge part of the student experience, and its impact can go both ways. On the positive side, it is an amazing resource. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are packed with study tips, motivational content, and relatable posts that make school feel a little less isolating. You can find hacks to study smarter, advice for staying organized, or even a community of people who understand the ups and downs of being a student (which is what I try to do!). But itās not all good. Social media can very easily become a distractionāhours of scrolling, endless notifications, and constant comparisons can leave you feeling unproductive and even insecure.
The key is to use it in a way that actually benefits you. Follow creators and accounts that share content aligned with your goals, whether itās study tips, mental health support, or even humor that lifts your mood. Take control of your feed and make it a space that adds value instead of draining your energy. At the same time, set boundaries for yourself. Turn off notifications during study sessions, or limit how much time you spend on apps to avoid falling into the rabbit hole. You can even use apps that block apps after a certain time, or limit the amount of time you can spend on each one, like Opal. Forest, another amazing app, keeps you focused by using the classic pomodoro technique, but with a fun twistāit lets you grow virtual trees as you stay productive, turning your focus time into something rewarding. Small changes like these can help you stay in control of your time while still enjoying the benefits of social media.
When used intentionally, social media can be a powerful tool, because it can help you learn, stay inspired, and connect with others who share your goals. The trick is finding that balance so it works for you, not against you.
To learn more from Angelica Georges, visit instagram.com/itsthatrelatablestudent.