A College Guidance Blog
When I first applied to college, the world was just beginning its transition into the information super age. Encarta was still releasing its mega encyclopedia on CD-ROM, and I still received AOL 1,000 hour discs in the mail. I went to the library to do research, used my land-line (we just called them phones) to keep in touch with friends, and ever transitioning pencil and paper address book with key contacts inside. I did not have an email address, cell phone, laptop (or desktop), or any form of social media to keep up with the world.
Our house's biggest venture into the tech world was a cable box. This beautiful little gray piece of plastic sat atop our television and gave me access to CNN Morning, BET News, and endless reruns of Save by the Bell. The internet (to which my television is now connected) was a figment of societal (and Al Gore's) imagination. I imagine that many of you reading this entry have had a similar experience. Perhaps you had a bag cell phone, a pager, or maybe even a word processor. It is likely, though, that you grew up with technology's cutting edge coming every few years, not every few months, or days, or hours. In fact, it is likely that when you applied to college there were significant barriers to entry:
Alas, as much as some of us luddites wish to harken back to these simpler days, technological growth is on a defined linear trajectory that cannot be avoided. In a mere 15 years since I submitted my first college application, technology has gone from a considered peripheral to an engrained cornerstone of our existence, and the existence of our young people. While the newest iterations of tech, including social media's Big Five: Facebook, Google+, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and Twitter have certainly created some social challenges, their benefits (arguably) far outweigh their drawbacks. A savvy, smart, purposeful user can leverage these tools to great advantage, especially in the increasingly tumultuous world of college admissions. With this in mind, I have compiled some ideas and guidelines for how to effectively use social media's Big Five to aid in your considerations for college...
Finally, it must be noted that getting involved in social media is as much about actively finding the information you need as it is about protecting yourself in the great digital social sphere. For young people, there is an increasing emphasis on managing their digital footprint, and being involved in social media is truly proactive management. Also, feel free to find me on Twitter: @michaeltdunn
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