Back-to-school season is almost in full swing, and with it comes a new set of social media rules.
In the age of social network overload, it's easy to forget that one little social media blunder can come back to haunt you. As you meet new people this fall semester, you'll want to navigate the social media world responsibly, and keep your online reputation as clean as possible.
Here are 10 social media etiquette tips to start the school year off right.
1. Don't add everyone in the 'Class of 2018' group.
IMAGE: SCREENSHOT FACEBOOK
When you enter college or start at a new school, it's a great idea to join the Facebook group created for your graduating class. It's an excellent way to interact with your new peers, find out about orientation events and ask questions like, "Where is the best place to buy used books?"
But it isn't OK to send mass friend requests to every single person in the group. We understand you're excited to make new friends, but this is not the ideal way to go about it. No one wants to be forever known as that creepy person who Facebook-friended everyone before the first day of classes.
2. Connect with your roommate through social media.
It's acceptable to get in touch with your roommate through Facebook — you're eventually going to have to contact each other to arrange what each of you are bringing to your dorm or apartment, anyway.
But don't friend request, add, follow or subscribe to them on every social network all at once. Seeing your name appear in a notification for every account he or she logs into will only make you look like a stalker. Start with Facebook first.
3. Don't post your class schedule.
IMAGE: IMGUR, FALLOFNIGHT
Some students feel compelled to take screenshots of their class schedules and post them for the world to see. But this could come off as a humblebrag to show off how many credits you're signed up for, or how easy your class schedule is.
It's better to be patient and wait until the first day of classes to figure out who your classmates are.
4. Follow your school's resources.
IMAGE: SCREENSHOT FACEBOOK
Take a second to support your school's social media accounts by following them on Facebook and Twitter. These accounts can include administrative staffs, department offices, sports teams, student media and other school-related organizations. This is the best way to stay in the loop with campus events, the latest news and more.
5. Refrain from posting every detail about college.
IMAGE: SCREENSHOT TWITTER
Don't obsess over how perfect your school is on social media. We know you're excited, but you don't need to post, tweet or Instagram every single thing you do on campus.
Similarly, excessive posts about your club, fraternity or sorority can be annoying to others. Go ahead and promote a few events every now and then, but people don't need to see a detailed chronology from the moment you joined to now.
6. Don't add your teachers on Facebook.
In college you will probably have some really cool, laid-back professors. No matter how chill your teacher is, don't add him or her on Facebook. It isn't very professional, you probably don't want teachers to see your social media activity anyway. Stick with email.
If you're just dying to friend your teacher, perhaps wait until you know for sure you won't be taking a class with him or her again.
7. Don't post inappropriate pictures.
IMAGE: FLICKR,
We know college goes hand-in-hand with partying, but posting photos of you drinking isn't as cool as you think. Remember, you're mostly in college to find a job, and future employers will find a way to view your social media profile.
It's better to be safe than sorry, so stay smart about which photos are posted online. It's a good idea to Google your name to make sure your online presence is clean.
8. Avoid trash talking.
IMAGE: SCREENSHOT TWITTER
In an overly connected world, posting mean statuses about your smelly roommate or boring teacher can come back to haunt you. One way or another, your roommate or teacher could find out and our guess is that it won't end well. These kinds of posts also look immature, so think twice.
9. Don't post emotionally.
When we are upset or frustrated, we're capable of saying things we later regret. Posting an angry Facebook status or tweet can affect those on the other end. Steer clear of social media when you're feeling down, or take a second to calm down and think before posting.
On that note, when final exams come around, you may notice your News Feed clogged with complaints about how much work your friends have, how many finals they have or how hard their classes are. Everyone in college has a lot of work to do, and trust us, no one wants to hear it. These posts can come off as cries for attention.
10. Make sure your Facebook name is your real name.
If you have some kind of weird or novelty Facebook name, get rid of it. You'll be meeting a ton of new people in school, and it'll be difficult for them to figure out your actual name after meeting you.
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