Her Cocktail, His Beer

Her Cocktail – Danielle Tullo

“Mayfair, or X-Pro? I can’t decide.”

“Oh X-Pro, it makes you look so tan.”

We all know this conversation, the one that takes place among our girlfriends when we’re looking for the perfect Instagram filter. Choosing the right filter is everything, because nothing is worse than the regretful feeling of “I should have went with Mayfair,” when you don’t rack up as many likes as you anticipated. There is no such thing as going too far when picking the perfect filter, even if it means you have to screenshot a few options and text them to your best friends for guidance.

To selfie or not to selfie? The famous question we all battle. No one wants to be that selfie girl whose Instagram is her version of a modeling portfolio, but wow, you’re looking real good in that picture you just snapped of yourself in the front seat of your car. Even once we pick the selfie that has us looking as fierce as Megan Fox, it’s still common to suffer from what I like to call post-selfie anxiety. As soon as we hit that ‘share’ button we are overwhelmed with the fear of not getting enough likes, a poor filter choice and did I mention not getting enough likes?

Receiving an admirable amount of likes is what the Instagram game is all about, and if you don’t reach that crucial number 11 then you might as well never have posted the picture. We instantly are preoccupied with refreshing our news button to see how many likes we’re getting (or not getting) once we post a picture. Face it, nothing says amateur like an Instagram picture that has usernames underneath it as opposed to the number of likes.

Besides choosing the right filter and getting the perfect amount of likes, there are a few other priorities within the Instagram game. Number one: Show your followers how fun you are; my girls and I party at the beach; our school is better than yours. Number two: Show your followers how artsy you can be. Number three: Show your followers you eat great food; I’m eating a burger and fries from Shake Shack.

If you’re going to Instagram be sure to keep all of this in mind. There is no need to hesitate in seeking help when stuck on what filter to use. It’s OK to post a selfie once in a while; work it girl. Always make sure you reach 11 likes, even if it requires liking your own picture. And lastly, show the world what a fun college girl you are, the way you’re talented with photographing nature and how you eat the best food ever.

His Beer – Reinier Den Boggende

Social media has become the essence of life for our generation.  It’s how we communicate with our friends and family, share experiences and develop relationships.

But one facet of social media that I just can’t wrap my head around is the idea of Instagram.  I do not care what you say about it. Instagram is pretty stupid.  Don’t get me wrong, I, too, have an account and actually use it rather frequently.  But what I can’t understand is how some people use the app.  I usually use it to post funny pictures of Rex Ryan’s brother moping that he couldn’t stop the Patriots or pictures of a tall glass of beer.  Yes, I will post the occasional scenic beach or mountain picture, but that’s because they look cool and it’s something interesting to post.  But then it’s time to choose a filter, which is simply a waste of time.  If a picture looks good already, why change it?  Putting a picture in a different light or shadowing doesn’t really make that much of a difference, so fussing over which filter to use is a waste of your time; just post the picture, buddy.

Now, once the picture is posted and you’ve been waiting around to see if anyone likes your post, you’re already doing it wrong.  The amount of “likes” you get on a photo you posted on Instagram should not dictate your level of happiness.  It’s a picture on a social media app on your phone.  Not having 90 likes is not the end of the world.

Some people even have unfortunately developed a horrible habit of “taking selfies.”  Now if you’re a girl taking a selfie, it’s acceptable … sometimes.  The cliché kissy duck face has got to go.  If you are a guy taking a mirror selfie trying to flex and look tough to show everyone on Instagram, please stop.  I don’t want to see it and I highly doubt anyone else does.

So when it comes down to it, Instagram definitely has the potential to be cool, it just relies on whether your judgment to post or not to post something is in check.