It might surprise you to see a video of someone studying at their desk go viral, but that’s exactly what happened to junior Jena Lew almost two years ago.
What began as a casual hobby has grown into regular posts for almost 7,000 Instagram followers, inspiring others to embrace studying as a creative and rewarding activity.
“I made the account at the end of freshman year,” Lew said. “It started as a place to post random videos, but one day, a video about studying at my desk got 100,000 likes. That’s when everything changed.”
Lew’s content, posted on the account @notebookbyjen, has a unique charm. Her videos often feature cozy desk setups, soft lighting and calming music, creating an inviting and peaceful atmosphere. These aesthetic details are what Lew believes draws viewers in.
“I love how people from all over the world can relate to studying,” Lew said. “It’s nice to know we’re all going through the same things.”
Lew’s creative process is straightforward yet effective. She usually films and edits on the same day. She uses a tripod to hold her phone, and then records clips based on ideas she has thought of beforehand and adapted from trends on her “For You” page. After filming, Lew edits her videos using apps like CapCut or Adobe Premiere Pro.
“CapCut is my go-to because it’s easy to use and quick for short edits,” she said. “If I want to make something more polished, I’ll use Adobe, but that takes longer.”
The entire process, from filming to posting, typically takes a few hours. Her simple videos are faster to make, but anything involving transitions or effects can take much more time.
Lew video ideas follow in the footsteps of what has been a popular trend, and adding her own creative twist has been what she loves about running her account. Her videos typically feature 5-10 second clips of her studying, cleaning her room or unboxing new school supplies.
Her most popular post, reaching 103,000 likes, came after quarantine. “It was a video about how we couldn’t go to the mall anymore because we had to study,” Lew said. “It really connected with people because everyone was feeling the same way.”
On her account, she often shares tips on managing stress and finding balance, reminding her audience that it’s OK to take breaks.
At first, Lew tried to keep the account anonymous, but once people started to discover it, she became more comfortable with her classmates knowing that it was her, and she likes the attention.
Lew’s followers often comment on how her posts inspire them to stay productive. Some even share their own study setups, tagging her for feedback or simply to show their appreciation.
“My account is for students who want to do their best,” Lew said. “I want to show that studying can be fun and help people feel motivated.”
In addition to her Instagram, Lew also runs a small business on the side, also called notebookbyjen. The store offers custom art, stationery, tote bags, clay charms and other products. She started this business in her freshman year and has been growing it ever since. In the last two years, she has received over 20,000 requests and orders. A lot of her orders are online purchases, in-person sales or handcrafted items. However, Lew notes that managing a small business alongside school and Instagram comes with challenges.
“It’s definitely difficult, but it’s good to stay organized and hopefully manage my time according to school demands,” she said. “I try to keep myself accountable through all sorts of apps like TodoMate.”
Her small business has allowed her to partner with many different companies, such as Gizmo AI and Temu, which usually pay her to advertise their products on her Instagram. Sometimes she is given a commissioner’s code, which she uses to earn a percentage of their profit made from customers who use the code.
Lew’s advice to aspiring influencers is to target a specific audience. For example, if someone would like to make cooking videos cooking, she would suggest choosing a particular niche, such as cooking videos for college students. For her future plans, Lew plans to expand her content to include videos on college life and career planning.
“I think it’s important to show how these habits can help beyond school,” Lew said. “Studying isn’t just about grades — it’s about building skills for life.”
