Collegiettes and collegiettes-to-be: It’s that time of year again! Â The class pages are being created by eager admitted students and we’re all getting invitations to “join” it, “like” it, and, if you’re bold… or hilarious… to post. Â For those already in college, it can be a blast to watch the new posts that pour in every day. Â Introductions via Facebook are going to be, pretty much by definition, overly-awkward and really earnest. Â In order to to avoid these pitfalls as much as possible, here are a few tips for the newly-minted Wildcats.
1. DO include where you’re from.
You never know if another person in your class will hit you up with an enthusiastic, “I’m from there too!” Â Be wary of the person who uses 18 exclamation points to get their message across, and doubt (just a little) the authenticity of someone who comments their shared hometown affiliation. Â There’s a good chance, though, that someone will message you with a timid, “I’m from ______ too… You think you’d be interested in getting together sometime before we leave?” Â It’s a long shot, but I cannot tell you enough just how meaningful it is to have someone who has some shared experiences with you. Â Only one other person from my high school has ever attended Davidson and he was a senior when I was a freshman. Â I wish I would have known about him before our last few months at school… even if we never talked, knowing he was there meant a lot to me.
2. DO NOT give a list of everything you’re into and have accomplished.
Sorry y’all, no one in this group cares. Â You’ve already been admitted and I can tell you, pretty much everyone at Davidson can match your list, no matter the length. Â We want to know your name, your face, and a few… a FEW of the things you really care about. Â As the President of FLY, I’m desperate for some newbies and so I’m on the lookout for who mentions common interests with FLY. Â This can be a helpful way for current students to get in touch with you, even cursorily, and for you to get a sense of a niche that you might occupy (no matter how briefly).
3. DO use humor.
Everyone’s seeing all of the many, many, never-ending posts, and if you’re a funny person (in any sense of the word), use that to grab some attention. Â One of my friends started a Facebook post with the word SEX to get her message out there. Â Granted, she already goes here, and the message did have a li’l bit to do with sex, but you see my point. Â People listened! Â People responded! Â People liked!
4. DO NOT get hung up on appearances.
As you creep through everyone’s posts, you might see people posting litanies of only their most stellar accomplishments. Â Their pages, when you go creep on them, are full of gorgeous photos that have hundreds of likes and their lives seem to be perfection. Â This is a general piece of advice for interacting on social media, but remember that you are you and your page reflects a similarly manicured picture of life. Â Don’t try to pretend you’re somthing that you’re not, people will see through that. Â Don’t try to masquerade as the person on your Facebook page. Â Be real, be authentic. Â If you’re a senior boy who played Tracy’s mom in Hairspray and that’s your current profile picture, KEEP IT UP. Â I guarantee at least one person at Davidson will love you for that (me!) and that a whole bunch of other people probably will as well.
5. DO NOT comment incessently on everyone else’s posts, or your own, or the page in general.
We see those people who keep. Â on. Â posting. Â no. Â matter. Â what. Â Let’s be honest, it’s uncomfortable for the majority of people involved. Â You’re creating a bad name for yourself as an overeager people-pleaser (although if that’s who you are, you go Glen Coco), and chances are high others don’t want to be pulled into in depth conversations on comment threads on a page populated by people who they do not know. Â Post your post, be polite if people comment on it and ask you questions. Â Post on a few others’ posts that you find incredibly interesting or relevent, but mostly… sit back and enjoy the ride.