We know it’s tempting to update your status or post photos from your summer vacation on Facebook or other social media sites to share your fun and even your slightly crazy side, but whether you’re in high school or college, you need to think about holding back from making all your escapades public. Hasn’t former Congressman Anthony Weiner taught us anything?
We love being your source of information and discussion about going to college and surviving in college, and we want to caution you about how actions during summer vacation or beyond could impact your college experience or career decision.
Keep Your Shirt On
Cathie Black, former president of Hearst Magazines (who was also chancellor of NYC Public Schools briefly this year) gives this frank advice in Ivanka Trump’s book The Trump Card: Playing to Win in Work and Life:
“If you’ve put up pictures of yourself [on social media] dancing topless and drinking your little head off, they’re out there for all to see. You can’t get all indignant if a professor or a potential employer seeks out your Facebook or Twitter or MySpace account. You can’t say, ‘Well, you shouldn’t be looking at that.’ If you’re an employer and you have a choice of ten applicants or one hundred and ten, you’re going to choose the one who keeps her shirt on. End of story.”
Well said, Ms. Black!
Pause Before Your Prank
During my freshman year of college, my friends and I constantly drove past a gas station and convenience store in our town bearing the name of another friend – Sam’s Gas. One night, we decided that we wanted to remove the store’s sign from the road, throw it in our trunk and put it in his apartment. I had never stolen anything, and I remember driving to the store thinking it was ridiculous that we were going to do it, but I wasn’t bold enough to say no to my friends. Thankfully, the sign was too heavy and large to fit into our car, saving us from stealing the sign, which could very well have turned a harmless prank into possible arrests.
If you’ve been known as the class clown or are a little mischievous, realize that the pranks you’re involved in during your senior year of college could get you involved with the police. Even if they don’t involve illegal activity, it could tarnish your reputation. Save your cash for books (and beer if you are of age), not bail.
Remember: A Tat Can’t Be Easily Erased
Some students have turned getting a tattoo a college rite of passage, as it symbolizes your independence and a right to express your personality. While some professions are a lot more accepting, others want tattoos to be covered up, regardless of whether you’re working in a part-time job, as an intern, or after you graduate. So in making this decision (especially if it’s made spontaneously and late at night), try to remember that you need to consider where it is placed.
Case in point: A basketball player for UC-Irvine, Darren Moore, got a Spiderman tattoo that covers most of his upper body. Good luck to him with that! Remember, an image that’s important to you in college may not reflect your interests and personality after you graduate, but you’ll still have to bear it unless you pay for its–ouch!–removal.
Shopping is an Olympic sport for me, and while I admit some of my purchases in the past have been more frivolous than useful, I like to think that my money has mostly been well spent. Which is why it makes me gag when I hear that cigarettes and are now up to $12 and $13 a pack in New York–and that people continue to gladly pay an arm and a leg for something that could potentially kill them.
I’ve never been a smoker, so I can’t speak for others and their nicotine addiction. I do like Starbucks coffee, though, and I will defend the pricetag for the experience. Yes, I’m talking about my caramel macchiato as an experience that transcends mere coffee beans, which is why I buy Starbucks only when I can sit and enjoy the entire cup, or when I know that I need fuel to power through a stressful workday. And I suppose it’s the same for smokers, who can more than justify the pricetag for the release it gives them.
Granted, my cup of Joe doesn’t usually attract annoyed glances, dramatic coughs, or waved hands, as I know people do when they first light up. I also know that my love affair with Starbucks did not begin while I was in college, because I, for one, had better things to spend my hard-earned work study money on. And so did my friends, some of whom were traumatized by their semi-annual visit to the financial aid office. Yet they still had money for a pack of cancer sticks. (Those are their words, not mine.)
I remember going to the ATM each week in college and getting one $20 bill. It would last me for days. An “expensive” week for me was when I had to go get another $20 mid week–imagine, thinking $40 a week was breaking the bank! These days, my two-pack-a-week college friends would be spending upwards of $25 just to fuel their habit. Pizza, movies, and other activities would be extra or non-existent. It will be for you, too, unless you are ready to treat your nicotine habit like an extra textbook bill. Which it can turn out to be, when you consider $25 x 16 weeks in a semester x 2 semesters = $800 for the year.
So there you go–stop smoking and save money in college. I’m not saying I’m perfect by not smoking. I’m just saying I’d rather buy shoes instead.
In a world where an @ sign can take down a politician (yes, I’m talking about YOU, Anthony Weiner), we here at The CollegeBound Network prefer to use our social media powers for good. And we know that many of you do as well, as indicated by our growing #CollegeBound Twitter chats that take place Mondays at 4pm.
But now we’re getting into summer mode, and while we’ll still be tweeting and blogging away, we’re going to go to a bi-weekly schedule of Twitter chats. And we want to get some of our Twitter friends involved. Please tweet us if you’d like to be a co-host of one of our summer chats! Here’s our schedule:
Summer #CollegeBound Chats
(all are Mondays at 4pm ET)
June 27
July 11
July 25
August 8
August 22
You can still find us basically any day on our blog, or by tweeting us at @CollegeBoundNet. In September, we’ll go back to our weekly schedule, though because of the Labor Day holiday, we will chat on Tuesday, September 6 instead of the 5th.
–Barbara Bellesi, your friendly #CollegeBound chat hostess
Apparently, a college degree from a great school doesn’t always guarantee that you’ll say the right thing at the right time–especially when faced with your teen heartthrob at a concert.
CBN’s VP of Content and Social Media, Gina LaGuardia-Schrecker, is one of the most focused individuals I know. In my humble opinion, there’s very little that this New York University alumna can’t take in stride. In fact, I’ve heard her speak to some major players in the industry about our websites, saying things like, “With robust content across our infrastructure, we can leverage high yields on future investments using real-time paradigms,” or something equally intimidating as that.
Yes, very little can disturb Gina’s Zen-like aura; that is, of course, until she got up close and personal with the person in this photo:
Yup, that’s the one and only Donnie Wahlberg. Gina had RIDONCULOUS seats at the recent NKOTBSB concert that she attended with her seven-year old daughter, who turned out to be the more mature of the two at one point–and there’s video proof of it, too. (But you need to friend her on Facebook to see it.)
You see, as Donnie made his way through the crowd towards Gina, she turned into a screaming banshee, punctuated by shrieks of “He touched my hand! He touched my hand!”
How’s that higher ed experience helping you now, Gi?
I kid, I kid. So what if she melted like butter under Donnie’s gaze? So what if her young daughter felt compelled to say, “Here, Mommy, switch seats with me so you can get closer”? At CBN, we’ll be the first to tell you that a college degree brings with it no guarantees of anything besides a tuition bill, so being articulate at a NKOTBSB concert certainly won’t be a given. But we’ll also tell you that with a good amount of hard work, it can bring you closer to your dream career, a phrase that Gina herself has often used about her position as a writer and editor.
Gina is back to work and much more verbal today, though I do hear some residual titters of her laughter throughout the office. And it’s only Monday…
While I can certainly appreciate beauty, it surprises some people that actor Bradley Cooper doesn’t really do much for me. Sure, his smile is spectacular, his hair is incredible, and those eyes … But honestly, this star of The Hangover and The Hangover II doesn’t rank high on my list of favorite leading men.
Until now.
Just watch a few seconds of this clip and you’ll see what I mean:
Mon dieu! Hollywood trivia buff that I am, how did I not know that Bradley Cooper speaks French fluently? That’s hot.
(Guys, are you listening? Women think foreign languages are hot.)
As Monsieur Cooper tells the interviewer, he learned it during his undergraduate years at Georgetown University, when he lived with a family in Aix-en-Provence, France and was immersed in the language.
There are a million reasons that you should study abroad in college (I didn’t, and I regret it), but probably the top one is that you can much more easily learn a foreign language. Sure, you can study a textbook or Rosetta Stone yourself into submission, but there’s nothing like living in a foreign land and having no choice but to use the native language.
It bears noting that after graduating Georgetown with a degree in English, Cooper went on to earn his MFA in acting at the Actor’s Studio in New York City. The rest is cinematic history.
I never truly disagreed with my girlfriends who believe Cooper is devastatingly handsome, but he didn’t get my pulse racing until now. His intelligence puts him at the top of my hot Hollywood hunks list. And given the fact that I also have a B.A. in English (from Wagner College), an MFA (in creative writing from Emerson College), and speak French (sorta kinda), I believe Bradley Cooper is actually my soul mate, but he just doesn’t know it yet.
Je t’aime, Bradley. Leave me a comment with your number and I’ll give you a call.
Here’s a second round of “advice” from well-meaning friends and family that you might be hearing as you get ready to go off to college next fall.
“Take the first job you are offered so you can get your foot in the door.”
Realistic friends and family recognize that it’s a tough job market out there and your first job offer may be the only one you get. Realize that your first job is probably not where you will be in five, 10, 15, or 20 years, but it’s going to give you much-needed experience and will help you determine if your career path is right for you. You’re going to have to work your way up, so if the first job offer doesn’t come with a corner office or big bucks, that’s OK, because you will eventually get there on day, if that’s your goal.
“Don’t be afraid to move away for your first job.”
This comment is from someone who has either lived in other parts of the country and recognizes that it’s wonderful to start fresh in a new town, or regrets returning home after college and never leaving. It’s true though, that if you’re willing to look outside of your hometown or college town during your job search, it’s going to open the opportunities for jobs and for you to meet a whole new group of friends.
“It’s OK if you don’t know what you’re majoring in.”
If you’re feeling pressured to choose a major and have no clue, you’re not alone. If you keep an open mind and continue to search for something that keeps your interest, you’ll find it. And college will help you get there. But it’s also true that some people majored in one thing in college and went on to find success in a completely different field.
You might have lots of questions about college, but as it turns out, some people also have questions for you. They might seem to be interested in your thoughts, but really, it’s all about them, so beware:
“Do you have to show a student ID to use your football tickets?”
Expect this question at some point from an alum of the school you’re attending. That’s because they haven’t bought season tickets and are trying to find a cheap way into games. That’s where your student ticket comes into play. Students have been known to sell hot tickets to alumni at a premium, though some schools are cracking down on this form of scalping.
“How often will you be coming home?”
If you hear this from a heartbroken boyfriend/girlfriend that you’re leaving back home, there should be tears accompanying this heartfelt plea. If not, then the love of your high school life might already be planning to fill the void you will leave next fall. (If so, so be it. There are plenty other fish in the sea.)
“Do you like these colors for your bedroom at home?”
Expect this at some point from a parent. They want to know if you plan to move back in after college, or if you’re going to make enough to get your own place. Your parents love you, but for years they likely have been dreaming of taking down the your posters and turning that extra space into a craft room, yoga or exercise room, guest room, library, man cave, or some other tranquil retreat.
Need another bit of advice translated? Let us know in the comment section below.
A lot of folks who are older than you– and like to think they’re wiser — are most likely bombarding you with well-meaning words of wisdom these days as you get ready to head off to college or grad school. You’ll want to listen to what they’re saying, because there are often hidden meanings lurking behind their comments.
Not everyone will be as wise as they think they are being, so be sure to keep a poker face for when Aunt Tillie starts talking about the “hijinks” she and the gals got up to when she was in college…back in 1948. Still, your friends and family mean well, so here’s a guide to deciphering this so-called advice:
“The fall will be here before you know it.”
Depending on the tone and the conversation, this could mean that you need to take it easy and rest up before the fall semester begins. Or someone could be telling you that you have a ton of stuff to do to prepare for college, from buying items for your dorm room to saying goodbye to high school friends to even brushing up on a subject that gave you trouble in high school. Or if you’re a college graduate, they could be saying that if you plan to sit back and not search for a job this summer, you’re losing crucial time to find a job, because the year goes by fast.
“I wish I had done that.”
This may be how people respond to your plans to take off and explore the world for a couple of months. They’re proud of your adventurous spirit and your knowledge that you might not get another chance to do it. They’re saying that they felt rushed to get a job and start earning a paycheck, and now, after years of working and responsibilities, they would love a European vacation, too. So feel free to gloat a bit, but do realize that while it will be an incredible experience, at some point the adventure will end, and you will need to make a living.
“Here’s a little something for pizza.”
The comment will come with a check or cash, and it’s because college graduates know you’re facing many all-nighters of studying for exams or writing papers. At 1 a.m., there’s nothing like pizza to give you the fuel to make it through the rest of the night. And they’re also saying, BTW, don’t blow this all on beer.
“Are you on the four-year plan?”
You might not have even started classes at college, but folks already want to know if you’re going to linger, stretching your education to five or six years, or if you’re focused on getting your degree in four years and moving onto the real world. It’s also the type of comment that should make you think about the high cost of prolonging college and how switching your major multiple times could push back your graduation date.
Tune in to tomorrow’s blog for some more pearls of wisdom…
If you love receiving presents (and we all do, right?), it’s a great time to be a high school graduate. Some of your family, neighbors and friends are probably dropping off gifts to celebrate your accomplishment – and get you ready for college. At a party I attended this weekend for a high school graduate, there was a big pile of presents and cards in the corner, right near the German chocolate cake. (Yum!)
Incoming freshman need just more than a set of clean sheets, a phone, and a laptop to survive in college. So here are some of the fun and stylish things that could make great gifts during graduation season:
Keeper of the Keys. Show your school spirit and keep close tabs on your keys (I know one college student who constantly locked hers in her car) with a key chain ($25 from Pottery Barn) stitched by needlepoint with your college or university logo and colors.
Smells Like College Spirit. You’re barely going to have enough time to study, not to mention clean your dorm room, and if you have multiple people living with you (and possibly pets), you’re going to need to cover up all of those odors with a fragrance you love. Squirt your room with sprays such as Bath & Body Works’ pink sangria, sparkling Mojito, and peach Bellini. Best part? You don’t have to be 21 to enjoy these responsibly.
Stay Organized. Space is limited in your dorms or apartments, so anything you can get to keep things organized or hold multiple items is a must-have. Pottery Barn’s Perfectly Prepped Hair Accessories Organizer ($99) has spaces for your hair dryer, curling iron, flat iron and all the styling stuff you need for those days when you can actually wake up early enough to do your hair. You can even get your name on it – just so your roommate knows not to steal it!
Laundry time:The Container Store has bins and baskets covered, with a variety of sizes, colors, and patterns like polka dots. But it also has the cutest laundry hampers, like the cute reisenthel® Clothesline Laundry Hamper ($39.99) that has connected well with the growing clothesline trend. People are choosing to forgo the dryer and line dry their clothes, saving energy all while giving shirts, shorts, and other clothes a sunny smell. You may not want to (or may not be able to) hang your clothes outside for all to see on campus, but you can toss your dirty laundry in the handled bag and tote your clothes to the dorm laundry room (or your parents’ house).
Bunk mate: When space is tight, it’s easy for things to get lost. So you slide the simply named “Bunk Pocket” ($6.95) over the post of your bed or loft, and it can hold your phone, glasses, ID, key, remote control, and any other items that you’re going to need while you’re laying in bed or desperately trying to get out of it.
Message center: Leave messages for your friends and roommates (we’re hoping they’re sweet notes and not snarky ones about kitchen messes) with the Umbra® Puzzler Boards ($8.99), also from The Container Store. The cork board and a dry erase boards fit together for a message center that’s so much better than leaving a Post-it note on a cabinet.
What’s on your wish list? Tell us about it in the comments section below.
Find out more about the popular Twitter chat, #CollegeBound, which can connect you with college respresentatives and others who have the same goals, struggles, and questions you have. Every Monday at 4 p.m. EST on Twitter. Get detailed info here.
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We know it’s tempting to update your status or post photos from your summer vacation on Facebook or other social media sites to share your fun and even your slightly crazy side, but whether you’re in high school or college, you need to think about holding back from making all your escapades public. Hasn’t former Congressman Anthony Weiner taught us anything?
