Hey, West Long Branch residents! As the Fall semester is now officially in full swing, Gossip Girl has a few tips for all students looking to be as successful as ever this year and every year.
Common knowledge tells us Gossip Girl is most famous for its attractive cast and endless drama, but, there are some great takeaways that we miss amongst the Lonely Boy vs. Chuck Bass battles.
Although Gossip Girl may have started in 2007, the cast proves in every episode that fashion is the top priority. Early 2000s style may be a little outdated, but, Blair Waldorf taught the audience that first impressions via wardrobe say more about you than anything else.
Being college students, most of the time, our wardrobe consists of Monmouth t-shirts, shorts, sweats, and plenty of hoodies, but going into an interview for an internship or just a part-time job means dressing the part. There aren’t any rules against certain clothes, or rather, there aren’t any written rules, but it is crucial to be taken seriously in situations like interviews or job fairs. Messy buns, sweatpants, and ripped jeans or tees are on the ‘Do Not Wear’ list, but, wearing a blouse, khakis, or skirts mean you’re willing to look the part and be professional in any setting because, “It shows the world who we are and who we’d like to be.”
It is in its title that Gossip Girl revolves around gossip, rumors, and plenty of over the top ‘take-downs,’ and yet we continue to watch every spectacle in its entirety without thinking about the hurtful words said, or rather typed, that is the precursor to them all.
Apps and social media sites such as Yik Yak, Twitter, and many others have given college students freedom and an outlet otherwise inaccessible. It isn’t uncommon for things to go awry on these sites when we ‘@’ someone or call people out on things that should be left unsaid. Of course, I’m not saying to delete all social media accounts in their entirety, but, the phrase ‘If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all’ should hold true especially in these scenarios. To not fall victim to these malicious acts is difficult in some cases, but surround yourself with our positive and upbeat Monmouth community means your first step is complete! Always remember: “Friends are the fashion fundamentals.”
Even through all of these unspoken rules and lessons, one specific moral message shines through the brightest: always stay true to who you are.
Whether you are a Lonely Boy, a Chuck Bass, a Vanessa, or a Blair, there isn’t any reason to change who you are to appease a job, class, friend group, or anyone else for that matter. As Hawks, we are lucky to be a part of one of the most accepting communities we could ever be a part of. If you haven’t noticed, even our signs on the way into campus tell us, “Hawks Fly Together!” While I would love to say more, Gossip Girl sums it up pretty well: “Sometimes you need to step outside, get some air, and remind yourself of who you are and where you want to be.”
Spotted! Monmouth University Hawks following Gossip Girl’s major life lessons. Guess who loves the Monmouth Hawks- me. Until next time, XOXO Ally.
IMAGE TAKEN from playbuzz.com