Every student knows the IC shower jokes, the loathing for the uni’s authentication system, and the slightly worrying crush on our beloved mascot Roary. But without the UOS Memes Instagram account, many of these iconic uni jokes might never have existed.
Forge Press sat down with both admins as they wrap up their university journey, discussing the page’s origins, favourite moments and future plans.
What started as a bit of boredom during a holiday quickly snowballed into one of Sheffield’s most beloved student pages. Admin 1 recalls the early days: “I was on holiday in Poland seeing family and I was just very bored and thought, wouldn’t it be funny to start a meme page for the University of Sheffield?” With some help from admin 2, what began as a joke quickly gained traction, capturing the quirks, frustrations and humour of student life in a way no official channel ever could.
The page launched in August 2023 and quickly grew a dedicated following. “We hit a few hundred followers in a few weeks and realised this might actually be something,” one admin said. The memes covered everything from the infamous IC showers to the struggles of uni authentication systems, becoming a shared language for students across campus. The admins worked behind the scenes to craft jokes that felt authentic, often debating every punchline to make sure it landed just right.
Throughout the page’s run, the admins chose to remain anonymous, preferring to keep the focus on the memes rather than themselves. Admin 1 explained, “People always assumed it was just one person or that we were part of the SU comms team”. The unexpected connection to the student body made the project feel more like a community than just an Instagram account.
As the page grew, the admins realised it could be more than just a source of laughs. Admin 2 reflected, “We started using the platform to support student causes, especially around the recent strikes.” Admin 1 added, “It was important for us to use the page for good, not just jokes.” Although some planned posts on the strikes did not go live due to timings, the effort showed the page’s evolving role beyond memes. This balance of comedy and activism became a defining feature of the account’s legacy, potentially leading them towards their brief stint in SU politics.
One of the most memorable moments came when the admins nearly took their meme fame into student politics. Admin 2 said their favourite moment was “running for SU President in 2024” Their campaign was unconventional to say the least, with their application going in only minutes before the deadline.. Admin 1 admitted, “I was going to run for SU President just to do a bit. Like, make a big manifesto that was just memes.” Their playful policies included “Banning the Sheffield hills and replacing them with elevators”. Their campaign increased the publicity of the page even more, confusing students and staff alike on who these mysterious admins actually were.
When reflecting on why they pulled out of the electoral race, the admins said “We had fully intended to stay in the campaign until the very end, but pressure from SU staff, and fears of a genuine win from other candidates, made us reflect on the difficult situation we would put the SU in with our immediate resignation. We didn’t want our joke to cause genuine problems.”
The admins are aware that their page acted as a trigger for a variety of other meme and confession accounts to emerge about the uni of Sheffield, focusing on a wide range of student groups. In a Forge Press exclusive, it was revealed that the increasingly popular page “shefftramsconfessions” is being managed by admin 2 of UOS memes.
As graduation approached, the admins decided it was time to bring the page to a close. Admin 2 explained, “We didn’t want to become bitter alumni posting memes from a Deloitte office.” Passing the account on was considered but ultimately rejected, worried about someone with different ideals or values taking over their account. Their hope is that the page will be remembered as a source of laughter and comfort during student life.
As the final memes are posted and the page is retired, UOS Memes leaves behind a legacy of laughter, community, and a uniquely Sheffield sense of humour- a fitting tribute to student life for years to come. Though the admins remain anonymous, their impact is clear: they helped create a space where students could laugh, relate, and feel connected throughout their university journey.
All image Credits: UOS Memes
