BOULDER…BACKPACKS…BID DAY - VOL. 29

January 17, 2026

EDITOR’S NOTE:

Backpacks are zipped, dorms are filling up, and yes—pumpkin spice season is around the corner! This week, we’re covering it all: from why CU Boulder is having its moment, to the end of the old-school study guide, to the RushTok drama, plus a little wisdom from our favorite motivator, Mel Robbins.

For our high school readers—college planning season is here, with seniors diving into the Common App and underclassmen starting to map out their own journeys.

Think of this as your weekly guide—part style inspo, part survival tips, and plenty of real-world advice for navigating school and beyond.

The College & Dorm Corner Team

WHAT TO EXPECT IN THIS EDITION:

Why CU Boulder is Having Its Moment

Bye Bye Study Guides

RushTok Backlash

Motivating Advice from Mel Robbins

Coastal Cabana Room Decor

CU BOULDER EXPECTS BIGGEST STUDENT BODY YET

Moving into college is a family affair, and as a dad to a University of Colorado Boulder sophomore, Manuel Montano is ready to help his daughter get ready for the school year. "We are extremely proud of her," Montano said about his daughter Olga, "She's done so much and come so far, and the sky's the limit for what she's going to do." The Montano family is just one of many moving into Boulder this weekend, creating what's expected to be a record student population. "It's still speculative, but I am expecting it to be slightly bigger than ever," CU Chancellor Justin Schwartz said, explaining that the potential record comes largely from returning students, rather than first years. READ MORE HERE

SO LONG STUDY GUIDES? THE AI INDUSTRY IS GOING AFTER STUDENTS

Students are using ChatGPT more than ever — and ChatGPT knows it. Last week, OpenAI launched "study mode" in its chatbot, aimed directly at the student market. It's meant to behave more like a tutor than a machine that spits out answers; it uses the Socratic method, builds quizzes and creates study plans. The same day, Google announced a suite of study-oriented tools. So, how does generative AI compare to old-school tools like textbooks and online homework helpers like Chegg and Quizlet? Do they still have a place?READ MORE HERE

RushTok BACKLASH: WHY SORORITIES AREN’T LETTING PROSPECTS POST

Kylan Darnell became an overnight celebrity in the TikTok niche that documents the glitzy, ritualistic recruitment process for sororities. As a 21-year-old rising senior four years later, she’s taking more of her sorority life offline. Darnell has until now been the embodiment of RushTok, a week-long marathon that has teens at schools around the country meticulously documenting their efforts to land a cherished spot in a sorority during the colorful, girly and enigmatic recruitment process known as rush week. READ MORE HERE

8 THINGS I WISH I KNEW IN COLLEGE

BY MEL ROBBINS

We can all agree—MEL ROBBINS is basically everyone’s unofficial hype woman, even in the dorms. Whether it’s the 5 Second Rule to finally get out of bed for that 8 a.m. class, or the High 5 Habit to remind yourself you’ve got this before a big exam, her advice just hits different in college. Her pep talks are like coffee for the soul ☕️💛—equal parts comforting and energizing. That is why we are sharing her latest advice “8 Things I Wish I Knew Before I went to College”

Check here latest Instagram post HERE

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