To Facebook or not to Facebook - a post by Jennifer H.

Hello again!

Hopefully by now many of you have already visited Western’s campus and attended an ATP (Academic Transitions Program) to get one step closer to actually being a “college student” this fall. How exciting – your high school days are numbered! I am sure there is already a Facebook group dedicated to the incoming class of 2013. As someone who eagerly anticipated college and getting to know people I would be going to school with, I too joined groups like “Western Kentucky University Honors College Students,” “I’m a Western Kentucky University Freshmen of ’08,” “The Official WKU Class of ’12,” “Minton Hall ’08!” and “I Survived the Minton Lobby “Flood” of 2008.” Yes, I just listed five different social groups on Facebook that I am currently a member of. Silly? Maybe. Pointless? Maybe not.

Joining groups such as these and talking to new people, sharing majors and the decision to rush (to be Greek) or to stay independent, or possibly getting to know your future roommate are all perfectly fine ways to spend your time. You are becoming an adult, and how much or how little you tell others is your choice. I just want to pass down some advice because not too long ago I was in your shoes. Know this: not everyone you talk to on Facebook is who he or she appears to be in real life. Getting to know someone online can be much different than getting to know him or her in person, so sharing every little detail about yourself may not be the smartest decision. Also remember that about 20,000 students go to WKU, so you might not even meet half of these people.

Your days here on the lovely hill of WKU will be some of the best of your life. You will make friends for a lifetime, develop some nice calf muscles (unless you take the Big Red Shuttle every day), and learn more than just inside the classroom. But I will save the life lessons for another time. :) Until next time, have a great spring break!