Social media is used in practically all walks of life these days, so it only makes sense that you can use it to prepare for college. While you obviously shouldn’t rely solely on Facebook as you plan your post-secondary education, here are just a few ways you can use your social media accounts to help get your college plans in order.
Keep Track of Deadlines
Most schools have a presence on social media now, and following them will allow you to keep track of application and enrollment deadlines. You might not see news about upcoming deadlines on a school’s Facebook page, but even receiving updates on other things will keep the school fresh in your memory so you can remind yourself to check its main site every so often.
Learn More About Schools
There was a time when the only way to learn about a school short of arranging a tour of the campus was through glossy brochures or magazine advertisements. Those certainly have not gone away, but you can find out all that they have to offer simply by looking up a college’s social media accounts. These accounts are updated frequently, so you will always be certain to receive updated information every time you take a look at them.
Make Yourself a Better Candidate for Colleges
Social media works both ways, which means you can use it to present yourself as a more attractive candidate for colleges. Use it to showcase your interests and passions, especially if they’re related to your intended major and career. You should also take some time to delete any photos and posts that could potentially show you in a negative light. This includes photos that show you at wild parties, photos that show you drinking, and anything that you wouldn’t want a college admissions office to see. If you’re unsure what that could mean, think of yourself as looking for a job. If there is anything that you wouldn’t want your boss to see, delete it or untag yourself from it. Of course, this also means that you should be aware of what kinds of photos and posts show up on social media from now on.
The most important thing to remember about social media is that it really is everywhere now. Many people think they can be anonymous in the Internet, but that time has come and gone. Social media is a valuable research and communication tool, but you should always be mindful of how it can work for and against you.