REAL LIFE: COLLEGE

Facebook and College

By Kristyn, age 20, Massachusetts
Sweet Designs Staff Intern





Facebook. As simple as it sounds, your face and a whole book filled with information anyone can read about you. Sounds kind of frightening, but this is a broad definition.

Some of you are probably psyched that Facebook has allowed you to join groups dealing with your college, and maybe even help select your roommate. However, believe me when I tell you that with all the good that comes with Facebook, there comes a little bad as well.

Before you start your classes in the fall you'll want to think about what you have on your Facebook and other social networking sites. Then you'll want to think about how you would feel if one of your RA's, professors, or even the Dean of Students saw your information. It's creepy to think about, but this happens every day. You network yourself for the world to see on the internet, so it's important to censor and manage what you display on your profile.

Their first weeks of school some students will post pictures of themselves drinking in a dorm room because of the excitement over their freedom. Yet, when your RA friends you on the book, and sees that you broke the rules, and they have full proof in pictures, there's a good chance you could get in trouble with Residential Life (or the equivalent at your school), and potentially get kicked off campus.

Also, don't ever put your phone number or your campus address on your profile page because you're making it easier for hackers and stalkers to invade your privacy.

Another important factor: Don't write anything on your FB status that you wouldn't want anyone seeing. If you have a cute professor, he friend requests you, and you think nothing of it, next thing you know you're writing "skipping class to party". He has full proof and can hold it against you ... or your grade.

I know that everyone thinks they're smart when it comes to internet safety, but you really need to ask yourself, "Is this picture ok to post on Facebook? And how would my potential boss in 4 years feel about this picture?"

It is very important, when you get a free minute, to review the terms and use policies of Facebook and other sites you use. You may learn a new thing or two, like, as of January 2008, Facebook owns the rights to anything you post, so if a future employee wants to dig up an incriminating photo or bad information, it is very possible.

So remember, before you sign up for Facebook, or before you update your status, think about who is seeing it, and just how much information you're giving away.



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February & March Magazine Issues

March 15, 2012

The February and March issues of Sweet Designs Magazine are now online, featuring a combined 53 new articles and features!!

- Cover: Stephanie Lynn reflects on 5 years
- Cover: India (of Darn-licious knitwear)
- Life in the dumps (moving in with my bf)
- The difference between men and women
- Angels among us (parts 1 and 2)
- Arts graduates & the dark night of the soul
- Triple threat (how I survived my teen yrs)
- Dating isn't easy (my true story)
- How to turn not-so-great gifts ... (fashion)
- Ten reasons to love being single
- Taking the big leap (college)
- Valentine's Day (not what you'd expect!)
- The last of the cold (hopefully) (fashion)
- A month full of love
- Ten tips for successful airline travel
- Reasons I love writing for SDM
- Who needs love?
- They're not all the same
- The life I'm glad I don't have (fiction)
- Professional dress/ finding Fendi (fashion)
- An airport anniversary: a true story
- Inappropriate Facebook photos
- The perks of a big city (college)
- A night(mare) to forget (part 2)
- The Anita Blake series (book review)
- Saving June by Hannah Harrington (book)
- Under the Mesquite by GG McCall (book)
- The Lullaby by Sarah Dessen (book)
- If I Stay by Gayle Foreman (book review)
- My sweetheart (original poetry)
- Isn't it funny (original poetry)
- The stranger (original poetry)
- A winter wonderland (original poetry)
- One night valentine
- The thick envelopes (college acceptance)
- Southern love
- Healthy hair and vitamins
- It's a date (dating idea alternatives)
- The 30 hour famine
- School's out forever!
- Marching right back into spring? (fashion)
- Dear John
- When TV shows depict your life
- 3 Fun ways to rock spring's hottest trends
- Neglected teeth
- Starting something new
- Guy movies
- To hesitate or dive in?
- Deadly, by Julie Chibbaro (book review)
- Beastly, by Alex Flinn (book review)
- I don't care (poetry)
- Together, alone (poetry)

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