If you’ve been on TikTok or Instagram lately, you’ve probably seen it everywhere:
“2026 is the new 2016.”

And honestly… we get it.

2016 had a very specific energy, carefree, social, slightly chaotic, and full of moments that today’s students either remember clearly or wish they experienced. It was a time when students connected more in real life, campus life felt electric, and every week came with a new trend.

Let’s take a little trip back, because the vibe students are chasing in 2026 feels very familiar.

When Everyone Was Outside Again

One word: Pokémon GO.

Suddenly students weren’t just sitting in res rooms, they were walking around campus at night hunting Pokémon, meeting strangers who quickly became friends, and discovering parts of town they never noticed before.

Sound familiar?
That same “let’s go outside again” energy is exactly what students are craving now.

The Golden Age of Social Media

2016 was peak student internet culture:

Snapchat streaks were serious business.

Instagram feeds were full of VSCO edits and sunset photos.

Group selfies were mandatory.

Everyone tried at least one Mannequin Challenge video.

Even YouTube captured the moment perfectly with YouTube’s massive 2016 rewind celebrating viral challenges, music, and student culture.

It wasn’t about being perfect, it was about being present.

The Soundtrack Every Student Still Knows

You couldn’t walk through a student house without hearing:

Drake

Rihanna

Viral hits like Black Beatles playing during challenge videos

Music spread through memes and campus parties faster than ever before, shaping how students connected socially.

 Series Nights & Commune Bonding

2016 was also the year students stayed up way too late binge-watching shows like Stranger Things, usually together, squeezed onto couches in shared living rooms.

Communes weren’t just accommodation.
They were communities.

Bloemfontein in 2016, A Real Student Era

Here in Bloemfontein, student life was just as memorable.

Students from the University of the Free State and CUT filled the streets during major student movements and marches calling for affordable education, showing how powerful student voices could be.

At the same time, the city kept its vibrant spirit alive through events like the annual Rose Festival and international sporting events hosted right here, bringing energy, visitors, and excitement to campus life.

Bloem wasn’t just a place to study, it was a place to experience student life fully.

Our 2016 Chapter, New Office, Same Energy

For us, 2016 was also a turning point.

We moved into a new office — and with it came a new season of growth, laughter, and unforgettable student moments.

We remember:

Recruitment days filled with excitement and nervous first-years.

Back-to-back room viewings that turned into adventures.

Parents asking serious questions while students quietly chose rooms based on vibes.

Old students returning — and new friendships starting in hallways and kitchens.

It wasn’t just about filling rooms.
It was about helping students find their place.

Why 2026 Feels the Same

Students today want what students wanted in 2016:

Real connections
Fun living spaces
Shared experiences
A place that feels like home

The trends may change, but student memories don’t.