If you are like most freshman students your time is split between being impulsive, embracing new found freedom, exploring a new city, spending a refund check, or other carefee joys that can be the foundation to the best college memories.
Caution: do not to be too carefree or too impulsive. Nine times out of ten, carelessness and impulsiveness are the driving factors on the road to a bad reputation. Remember that branding is everything and first impressions are lasting ones. Image is not everything and we should not be judged by our image, but the fact of the matter is ..we are! Do yourself a favor and beware of these easy mistakes that tarnish can your image:
Open legs close doors
Do you want to be the sexual fantasy of every guy on campus? Would you appreciate being the girl that every guy talks about because they have “hooked up” with you? If so, read no more. If this is not you, and you would like to maintain a reputation of being wholesome, listen up. There is one easy rule when managing the opposite sex: don’t do it unless you couldn’t care less if the entire campus knows. News spreads like wildfire on campus. Word of mouth is the first and most rapid form of communication on campus. Never forget this.
Guys will “sweet talk” you and make you feel special. You are sweet. You are special. You do not need a man(who is really just a boy) to reinforce these truths. For some of us, we excite at the thought of college because it is the place our parents met and we are ready to write another chapter in our love story. Proceed with extreme caution.
Know that as young, testosterone-driven males on campus who are away from home – many for the first time – a love story is the last thing on their brains. The sad truth is things like 1-getting a high “body-count”, 2-having a cool (probably exaggerated) story to brag to his boys, and 3-simply having sex with you for the heck of it, probably matter a lot more in their mind.
Don’t waste your time worrying about love your freshman year. Worry about loving yourself, starting your studies off strong, and making great memories that won’t damage your personal brand. You don’t want to be at your class reunion 20 years later with a husband and children still being known as the girl that every guy has seen naked… Guys talk just as much as women.
Don’t make the mistake of giving yourself away to those that do not deserve it.
Blacklisted
blacklist – (n.) – a list of persons placed on a list under suspicion, disfavor, or censure
It is perfectly fine to be a freshman and know or have an idea about a divine nine, Greek-letter organization you would like to join. Do not claim to be a “future-ANYTHING”, as it is both presumptive and disrespectful. Your organization goals should remain your business until the appropriate time to express interest, which is generally at a formal rush ceremony. Freshman year is for innocent enjoyment. It is common for these organizations to have programming throughout the year, especially after a new line has been welcomed. I am not telling you to avoid these programs but do not get caught being too thirsty.
People treat you how you let them, and if you are the first one in line at every single program, 41 million hours early, desperately trying to get attention.. know that you are signing yourself up to be toyed with. And once it starts, good luck shedding that attention.
There is a difference between being interested and being thirsty. Do yourself a favor and don’t make the mistake of being too thirsty for any organization. (especially because most Greek-letter organizations require 30 credit hours, which typically equates to a sophomore classification)
Mean what you say, say what you mean
Some of the most fond memories of my college career at Howard University were the unplanned, impromptu intellectual conversations I found myself in. My morals, societal beliefs, and political + religious views were tested and strengthened as a result. It was during these late night/early morning conversations that I learned more about myself, my peers, what I loved, and what I could not tolerate because I did a lot of listening. In a room full of intellectual beings reaching for success and sprinting toward their goals, of course one would like to have the “room-silencing” comment that resonates with everyone. My advice to you is to remember you are the freshman, and not to force anything.
Do yourself a favor and do not make the mistake of saying things you do not mean and do not speak on things in which you aren’t knowledgeable. These remarks will follow you and nobody wants to engage a hypocrite or someone who just says what sounds good.
Hold your liquor
College is supposed to be fun and exciting.
College is not supposed to be fun, exciting, and the place where you drink your life away. Every student is there to enjoy themselves, do not find yourself burdening others because you cannot “hold your liquor”.
Don’t make the mistake of being the one who always 1-drinks too much they pass out, 2-must rely on friends to carry them home, 3-drinks so much and cannot control themselves, or 4-is always getting their stomach pumped from alcohol poisoning.
Cleanliness is next to godliness
..In 2006, artist Big Boi said it best in the hit film “ATL”. Now is not the time to slack on your personal hygienic habits. Now is actually the time to master them. Do not make the mistake of being dirty, messy, having an odor, or being one who frequents bird baths but skips the shower. These things will not go unnoticed. Be intentional about your cleanliness, especially if you share a living space.
What grade are your classmates giving you?
Your professors are not the only ones giving you a grade in college. Though your peers do not have an influence on the letter grade that appears on your transcript, the perception they form about your academic performance carries its own importance.
Do you show up late to class? Have you been known to cheat or plagiarize? Are you always full of excuses? Do you sit in the back of class and fall asleep 2 out of 3 times your class meets for the week? Do you do your part in team assignments or does your team “carry your weight”? Are you last minute?
Do not make the mistake of thinking that your professors opinion of your academic career is the only one that matters.
Social media mishaps
Be careful of the image you carry with you to campus. Yes that selfie may be cute, but is the “side boob” or “eggplant” print really necessary? Do you want the network of individuals that will follow you for the rest of your life to see those images of you?
Quench your thirst and “go sit down”, FRESHMAN. Mistakes like these are the easiest way to spot a new KID on campus. Part of being a mature adult is understanding the difference between what is tasteful and what is inappropriate. If you feel validated because you see tons of similar images online from “video vixens” and “real ni**as”, you may want to re-evaluate the sources of your inspiration.
Especially if you have aspirations of being a student leader, do yourself a favor and don’t make the mistake of trashing your image via social media pages. (This goes without saying, but you should also avoid having a pristine social media page and be the most promiscuous student on campus. Consistency is key.)
Ready for college but not sure what to expect, or even bring? Before you say goodbye to your parents and friends, check out this ultimate guide to surviving your first year in college, and in particular at the country’s 107 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). We created the #HBCUFreshmanBible to help build a bridge for students to make a successful transition from high school to black colleges, you can read more here.
