oh.

Poet Taylor Steele captures the problem with appropriating Black slang.

In her poem “AAVE” (which stands for African-American Vernacular English) Taylor Steele explains why appropriation of Black slang is the worst.  African-American culture is being popularized on a daily basis and while Black people are judged and mistreated for using something they came up with ages ago, White people come off as cool and original when they use it.

Full video

Wear jeans/pants that “breathe” and bring a sweater, even if it’s scorching hot out, until you know which building blasts the AC to 60 degrees F and which feels like a sauna

Backpacks with thick straps are your friend!  Messenger bags are cool and all but if you’re commuting with a lot of stuff, symmetrically styled backpacks are better for your back

You are your own person and you can walk out whenever you need to or want to, so long as you’re not disrupting the class.  Meaning you can go to the bathroom without permission, take a breather if you’re anxious, answer an important phone call, etc.

If you don’t like the class on the first day, if you can- DROP THAT CLASS AND TAKE ANOTHER ONE!  It’ll only get worse from there!

If you can, take a class outside your major; it’s a good break from your expected studies.

You are in charge of your schedule.  Your adviser and guidance counselor is there to ‘advise and guide’ but if you don’t like certain classes and you can substitute for others, that’s your choice.

Consequently, if you are changing anything drastic in your plan, talk with your adviser and instructors.

Pay attention to your credit hours and grades.  Never leave this to the last week of school, you will be sorry and stressed beyond belief!

Unless it’s a lab book or otherwise specified, go to the class for a week or so before buying an expensive textbook.  Some classes, while having it on their required list, do not actually use the textbook a whole lot and you might find some of it scanned online.  Rent if you can or buy used online (schools actually don’t give discounts).  Use your best judgement on what you think you need.

Tell the people who go up to you selling or advertising things you are not interested in that you are in a rush to class and don’t have time to listen to them.  It’s less rude and they’ll leave you alone.

The smaller the class, the better it is to have some sort of acquaintanceship with a couple classmates.  They might save your ass if you are absent one day or need to study.  And talking with them makes the time go by faster without it being so insufferable.

You don’t need to join a club or sport, but internships are cool and useful!

If you can afford it, take a day off once or twice each semester if you’re too exhausted.  Just be aware of what you missed and if it was worth missing!

Your health is the most important, this goes for mental health too!!  Note: College-age/upper teens is when mental disorders like depression and anxiety are most commonly diagnosed.  Most schools have therapy services, especially during exam time.  Look into it if you need to!

Communicate with your professor if you are having trouble with something.  Anything.

Eat and stay hydrated.  Bring a water bottle and snack to class.

All-nighters will happen but never go over 36 hours without sleep.

It’s going to be hard and there will be times you might think about giving up.  This WILL happen.  You just have to make sure what you’re doing isn’t making you absolutely miserable and/or there is something rewarding and positive to look forward to at the end!

ARIES

What you want: Someone to show off. Someone who makes you feel passionate and excited all the time. A hot body, a nice face. Someone with smooth moves.

What you need: Someone patient and forgiving. Someone intelligent and witty. Someone you won’t get bored of. Someone who won’t run away when things get rough.

TAURUS

What you want: A fixer-upper. Nicholas Sparks-type scenes. Lots of gifts. Undying attention. Someone who will agree with you and make you feel desirable and attractive.

What you need: Someone who shares your views. Someone who respects you. A healthy amount of attention and material gifts. Someone who knows they’re good enough for you. Someone who knows you’re good enough for them.

GEMINI

What you want: A genius. A comedian. A hot mess. In other words, your twin flame.

What you need: Wisdom to balance out knowledge. Someone with impulse control. Someone forgiving and understanding. Ears willing to listen… for a while.

CANCER

What you want: A romance-novel character. Lots of hugs, gifts, and reassurance. Someone who won’t hurt your feelings. Someone who knows exactly what you’re thinking and what you want.

What you need: Someone to help you lighten up a little. Honesty. Security. Someone extraordinarily patient. Loyalty. 

LEO

What you want: Someone to show off to your friends. Someone to make you more popular. Attention out the wazoo. An admirer, your biggest fan. Undying support in everything you do.

What you need: Someone wise and understanding. Someone you respect, and who respects you. Someone to be straight with you. Loyalty. Forgiveness. Someone who knows the value in the little gestures.

VIRGO

What you want: Someone self-sustainable. Intelligence and common sense. Someone who can give you space. Someone who will listen to you and accept your criticism.

What you need: Someone to light up your life. Someone you never get bored of. A bit of a mystery. Someone who knows who they are. Someone who appreciates all that you do.

LIBRA

What you want: Someone to be romantic with. That cute couple aesthetic. Attention. A pretty face and a brilliant mind.

What you need: A best friend. A mediator. Someone who won’t take advantage of you. Someone you can really talk to. 

SCORPIO

What you want: Someone who adores you. Submission. Omnipresence in their life. Complete devotion. Control. Passion.

What you need: A mystery. Respect. A healthy amount of push-back. Someone you know you can trust. Someone you know will not hurt you. Undying loyalty. Honesty.

SAGITTARIUS

What you want: A travel buddy. A daredevil. Someone spunky and free. Someone “exotic”, mysterious, foreign. Someone who isn’t interested in textbook romance. 

What you need: Someone who gets you. Someone with common sense. Someone who can forgive your little flubs. Independence. Consistency. Someone you could travel around the world with and not hate them afterwards.

CAPRICORN

What you want: Perfection. Loyalty. A mystery. A romance that doesn’t get in the way of work. Someone like-minded and intelligent.

What you need: Someone to help you see the best side of things. Imagination and youth. Loyalty and respect. Someone who’s okay with being dominated, but not a pushover.

AQUARIUS

What you want: A mad scientist. A genius. A poet. Someone to share your interests with. A best friend. Freedom.

What you need: Independence. Trust. Consistent communication. A best friend. A kind of intelligence you don’t have.

PISCES

What you want: A fairy-tale romance. A tortured artist. Someone you want to “fix”, someone you view as “the underdog”. Someone who’s sensitive, artistic, and poetic. Someone who dazzles you.