Life Of a D3 Athlete - Jessie Agee

  After watching The Social Dilemma, I couldn’t stop thinking about the way social media has been quietly shaping my thoughts, my habits, even my self worth. The film isn’t just another warning about screen time. It’s a disturbing look into how platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok are designed to mess with our minds, all in the name of keeping us addicted to our phones. What really hit me was hearing former insiders from companies like Google and Facebook admit that these platforms aren’t neutral tools but they are truly built to manipulate the users mind. Every scroll, like, and notification is carefully engineered to trigger the same part of the brain that gets activated similar to when someone is gambling or on drugs. It’s not about giving us what we need, it’s about feeding us what keeps us online the longest. I started thinking about how often I pick up my phone without even realizing it. How a simple notification or text can change my mood on that day. How I’ve felt...

In this week's chapter we talked about social media marketing on the constantly growing app TikTok and in this post I want to dig a bit deeper into one of TikTok’s newest features. It has already been well established that TikTok has proven itself to be more than just a platform for viral dances and memes. With over 1 billion active users, it’s become a powerhouse for brands looking to connect with audiences in creative and authentic ways. And with the introduction of TikTok Shop, the platform has officially blurred the lines between content and commerce, opening up new possibilities for marketers and businesses of all sizes. At its core, TikTok thrives on short form video content that feels organic and engaging. Unlike traditional ads, TikTok videos are often native in feel, blending storytelling, humor, trends, and creativity. This authenticity builds trust, and trust is gold in marketing. Now, with TikTok Shop, that trust can be converted directly into sales without users ever l...

  This week's chapter we went over social media marketing with TikTok. TikTok has taken the social media world by storm, with over a billion active users and a culture centered around creative, bite-sized video content. For businesses looking to expand their digital presence, TikTok is more than just a platform for dance trends and lip-syncs it's a marketing powerhouse. To succeed on TikTok, brands must understand its algorithm, leverage business account features, and implement a thoughtful content strategy. At the heart of TikTok’s success is its unique For You Page (FYP) algorithm. Unlike platforms that prioritize follower counts, TikTok emphasizes content relevance. The algorithm considers factors such as video watch time, user interactions (likes, shares, comments), and the use of trending sounds or hashtags. This means that even small brands or new accounts have the chance to go viral with the right content. Engaging storytelling, authenticity, and high watch-through rate...

  One thing about me is that I’m not a big fan of long conferences or seminars but when I have to go for a part of my grade I will be there being present. This recent seminar I was not present or attentive to anything going on to be fully honest. The reason why I wasn’t really focused was due to the time of the seminar. If people know me they would know I'm not a morning person so having to be at an event at 9:30 am definitely a number on my body in terms of my energy. But one of the more basic reasons why I didn’t feel that I was locked in on the seminar was because it had nothing to do with anything I was looking to study. Even though I picked a class for social media it was technically a fill in course because I’m a finance major so this class is really far from what I’m looking to gain with my degree. But even though I didn’t enjoy it that much I at least can talk about some of the things I heard during the seminar. To start off my day I listened to our keynote speaker Jason Th...

Spring football is where you prove yourself. No lights, no crowds—just sweat, grit, and reps. As a defensive lineman, this is the time to earn your spot, sharpen your technique, and show the coaches you’re ready to be a force in the fall. That’s exactly what I was focused on when I strained my calf during a routine drill that ended up changing the way I take care of my body. It was the third week of spring ball. We were running one-on-ones O-line versus D-line. My job? Beat the guard off the snap, get into the backfield, and blow up the play. I fired off the line, tried to explode low and quick like I’ve done a thousand times. But as I pushed off my right foot, I felt a sudden sharp pain shoot through my calf. I barely made it through the rep before limping to the sideline. At first, I thought it was just a cramp or maybe a tweak. But it didn’t let up. The muscle tightened almost instantly, and every step felt like it was pulling apart. Our trainer checked it out and told me I had a mi...

  This week we learned about social media marketing with YouTube. YouTube isn’t just a video-sharing platform—it’s a powerful engine for social media marketing and brand building. With over 2 billion logged-in users monthly, YouTube offers a massive audience. But what makes it truly effective for marketers is how its algorithm and advertising features work together to amplify your brand’s reach and engagement. At the heart of YouTube’s marketing potential lies its algorithm. Designed to keep users watching, the algorithm prioritizes videos based on watch history, engagement, relevance, and video quality. This means that if you create content that resonates with your target audience, YouTube will do the heavy lifting—recommending your videos to more viewers who are likely to engage. Consistency, keywords, and compelling thumbnails play a critical role in catching the algorithm’s attention. By optimizing your titles, descriptions, and tags with relevant keywords, you increase your vi...

  In this chapter we talked about the social media app Pinterest. Pinterest has emerged as a major platform for businesses and creators looking to build their social media brand. With its focus on the visual part of social media, Pinterest attracts millions of users who are looking for inspiration, ideas, and products. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a designer, or a content creator, Pinterest offers unique features that can help elevate your brand and reach a broader audience. Here’s how you can build your brand on Pinterest and utilize the platform’s special features to your advantage. The first first thing you should do when starting out on Pinterest is to set up a professional and cohesive profile. Choose a recognizable profile picture whether it's your logo or a brand related image and write a compelling bio that clearly says what your brand is about. Make sure to also link your website or blog to drive traffic back to your main platform. Consistency in your branding across yo...

Spring football practice is finally here, and I couldn’t be more excited to get back on the field. After months of off-season training, lifting, and conditioning, there’s something special about the energy that comes with the first day of spring practice. It’s the time when the grind really starts to pay off and the anticipation for the upcoming season grows stronger with each practice. There’s just something about the sound of cleats hitting the turf, the whistle of the coach, and the feeling of adrenaline coursing through your body as you put on that helmet again. It's not just about the physical part of the game, but the mental preparation as well. Spring practice is an opportunity to improve techniques, work on new plays, and build chemistry with teammates. It’s that time when you get to dust off the rust, reset your mindset, and begin to sharpen all the skills that will lead to success on the field. What makes spring football so exciting is the chance to experiment and evolve ...