The experience of coming to University is just as important for some students as the degree they earn when they graduate.
It’s a period of change and personal growth, and documenting it can bring both short and long-term benefits.
One option you might be interested in is vlogging. In this article, we’ll take a look at the most frequently asked questions concerning starting a vlog, and answer them all in one place.
What is a Vlog?
A vlog is the same as a written blog but in video form. Think of it as your own TV show/channel, only it’s on the internet, created by you, and usually starring you (or maybe your friends or pets). Videos can be as short or as long as you like, and can be posted publicly or made private so that only you and those you send the video to can see it.
Getting started
The equipment you need will largely depend on the type of vlog you want to create. Your technical skills and budget will also play a big role in this decision. To get started, here are some things you’ll need:
- A phone with a high quality camera (iPhone) or an actual camera (Canon G7X)
- Lighting (ring lighting or box lighting)
- Computer/laptop/device with editing software (iMovie, Final Cut Pro)
- SD card
- External hard drive
Hosting sites
In today’s digital world, there are numerous platforms that you can use to upload your vlogs. For example, you might want to host your videos directly on your own website, or you might choose to post your vlog content solely on one of the many social media sites.
The most viewed and thriving vlogs are YouTube channels, but there are other platforms where you can upload your content, such as Twitter, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, IGTV, Twitch, Flickr, and Vimeo.
Why it is a good idea to do this?
There are plenty of reasons to start a vlog at Uni. But mainly it’s about finding a format that benefits you and enriches your journey. Don’t focus too much on what other vloggers are doing – find a style that suits you and run with it.
You may like the idea of starting a vlog about your Uni life because you want to let people know about the experiences you’re having, or you want to show them something cool. Alternatively, you may want to start a vlog so that you can share information or culture with others.
Documenting your journey through University can be helpful because it will show others what kind of obstacles they may face before even starting their journey. In addition to this, it will be a good diary for you to re-watch later on to reflect on your university life or just for a good nostalgia trip!
Shooting videos will help you show your family and friends what it’s like living away from home. More people will see you simultaneously, so it will help you keep all your family and friends updated at the same time.
Vlogging can also help your growth as a professional. It can help fight the fear of public speaking. The more videos you make, the more confident you become. Eventually, public speaking will become easier for you, opening up new opportunities for you in your University and working life.
On top of this, the more videos you create, the more you may need to edit them. This could include trimming clips, adding sound effects and possibly some text as well. It may seem daunting, but you will develop a new skill in time that may benefit you in the future.
Another good reason for vlogging is making money! Vloggers can make a lot of money using sponsored ads or promoting their products - or even other people’s products. Brands can reach out to vloggers and pay them for promoting their latest merchandise.
And who knows if that could be you before long?! BCU alumni Lily Pebbles started her blog whilst studying here, and she now has a vlogging channel with 480k subscribers.
