Walking across Grounds on any given day, first-year architecture student Ava Vancour looks like many other UVA students—balancing studio deadlines, coffee runs, and time with friends. Online, however, she is widely recognized as @ava_talks_too_much, a social media creator with over 264,000 followers on TikTok and 33,900 on Instagram, where she shares her experiences navigating college, creativity, and early adulthood.
Vancour is currently studying in UVA’s School of Architecture, a demanding program known for its long hours and intensive workload. While architecture and social media influencing might not seem directly connected, Ava has found that the creativity required for content creation complements her academic work. Though her videos are not explicitly architecture-focused, the skills she uses to plan, edit, and execute her content help her approach design projects with a more imaginative and flexible mindset.
“Although [architecture] definitely does not connect to anything marketing-related,” Ava explains, “… the creativity I use when editing and planning my videos does help me think outside the box.”
Her content often includes college vlogs that show snippets of her daily life as an architecture student, including time spent in the studio, working on assignments, or simply navigating the routines of first year. By sharing these moments, Ava gives her audience an honest look into the realities of architecture school while still maintaining a sense of balance and enjoyment in her college experience.
Ava first began posting on social media the summer before her junior year of high school. Her earliest videos were ten-minute “get ready with me” videos centered on makeup, which later evolved into shopping halls and lifestyle content. Her first viral moment came in 2023, when a Christmas haul video gained significant traction, introducing her to a much larger audience. Despite this growth, social media was never something Ava set out to pursue seriously. As a child, she made YouTube videos with her sister, and like many people during 2020, she posted lighthearted dancing videos without much thought. Influencing, she says, happened organically.
“I never intended to be an influencer,” she says. “I simply started posting authentically but sporadically and then my following grew so I began taking it more seriously.”
The content Ava enjoys creating most are her “get ready with me” videos centered on specific topics. For her, doing makeup is a therapeutic process, and it provides a natural setting to share advice and open conversations. She also values hearing different opinions from her audience, making the comment section an important part of her creative process.
Balancing academics, friendships, and content creation is an ongoing challenge. Time management is something Ava admits she struggles with, especially given the demanding nature of the A-School. However, she credits her friends at UVA for being supportive and involved in her creative life. “[My friends] are always down to make TikToks or help me film,” she said. “They make it easy.”
To manage her schedule, Ava often films multiple videos in one sitting so she can post consistently through the week, particularly during busy periods. She also incorporates content into her daily routine, filming outfit videos or short clips when she already has something planned. Still, she is clear that academics comes first.
“School always comes first,” Ava says. “Even though [social media] is my job, my coursework is my priority.”
Being a content creator has changed how Ava experiences everyday life at UVA. She frequently meets people who recognize her from TikTok or Instagram, which she describes as “free networking.” While most interactions are positive, increased visibility has also brought moments of being photographed or pointed out in public spaces like football games. “I love it when people come up and talk to me, though I wish people weren’t scared because I’m just a college student!” she says.
One of the more difficult aspects of being both a student and influencer has been navigating identity. Like many first-year students, Ava is learning how to live independently, share space with a roommate, and figure out her passions and future career path. Being labeled an influencer can sometimes carry negative assumptions, adding pressure during a time of self-discovery.
“Everyone posts highlights of their life online,” she explains. “I try to stay authentic and show a realistic college experience while still making content that’s aesthetically pleasing.”
While her videos focus on positivity, social media does not capture everything. The Architecture school often involves long hours and moments of frustration that go unseen. Ava also chooses not to share highly emotional moments, aware of how vulnerability can be received online. “I definitely think it’s okay to be vulnerable on social media,” she explains, but “I try to stay uplifting and positive and silly in my content.”
Through her platform, Ava hopes to inspire younger students to pursue college and to remind UVA that they are part of a supportive community. She also hopes her content helps peers discover new study spots, restaurants, and places to explore on Grounds.
Her advice to students interested in content creation is straightforward: start posting. “Starting with your college as your niche is a great way to begin,” she says. “Be yourself, and be proud of it.
As Ava continues her first-year at UVA, she is learning to navigate both school and an online presence with intention and authenticity. Whether designing in the studio or filming a video for @ava_talks_too_much, she is building a college experience that reflects who she is, both on and offline.
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