How University Students Use Slang to Navigate Academic Pressure Online

Let’s be real—college is stressful. Between back-to-back lectures, looming deadlines, and trying to maintain some kind of social life, it’s no wonder students are turning to the internet for relief. But here’s the twist: they’re not just venting. They’re using slang—funny, creative, and sometimes totally confusing—to cope with academic pressure online.

You’ve probably seen phrases like 'I’m in my flop era' or 'this assignment gonna kill me' floating around campus group chats or TikTok captions. These aren’t just throwaway jokes—they’re survival tactics. When a student says 'I’m drowning,' they don’t mean literally (hopefully). They mean they’re overwhelmed, overworked, and emotionally drained. And by putting it in slang, they make it easier to talk about stress without sounding dramatic.

Take the term 'rizzless'—originally about lacking charm—but now used to describe that blank-stare feeling during a lecture when your brain just gives up. Or 'glazing,' which means staring into space while pretending to study. It’s relatable, it’s funny, and most importantly, it builds connection. When someone posts, 'Me glazing through week 7 like…' and adds a zombie meme, others chime in with 'Same 😵‍💫' or 'Glazed out since Monday.' That shared language creates a sense of community.

Social media platforms like Instagram, Discord, and TikTok have become digital dorm rooms where students bond over shared struggles. Slang acts as a secret handshake—immediately signaling who’s in the loop. Saying 'I’m cracked' instead of 'I’m mentally exhausted' softens the pain. It’s humor as armor.

And let’s not forget the rise of uni-specific slang. At some schools, 'pulling a all-nighter' has been upgraded to 'going full nocturnal.' 'Assignment avalanche' describes when three papers are due in one week. Professors might not get it, but classmates do—and that’s the point.

This isn’t just about being trendy. Research shows that using humor and informal language during stressful times can reduce anxiety and foster emotional resilience. By labeling their stress with catchy slang, students regain a bit of control. It’s like saying, 'Yeah, this sucks—but I can still laugh about it.'

Of course, there’s a fine line. Relying too much on jokes can sometimes mask deeper mental health issues. But when used thoughtfully, slang becomes a tool for emotional expression, not avoidance.

So next time you see a student post 'My brain is buffering 💀' before finals, don’t brush it off as just another meme. It’s a cry for empathy, wrapped in internet culture. In a world where academic pressure never sleeps, slang gives students a voice—one that’s honest, a little chaotic, and undeniably human.