Significance of Popularity
Main Entry: pop·u·lar
Pronunciation: ‘pä-py&-l&r
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin popularis, from populus the people, a people
1 : of or relating to the general public
2 : suitable to the majority: as a : adapted to or indicative of the understanding and taste of the majority (a popular history of the war) b : suited to the means of the majority : INEXPENSIVE (sold at popular prices)
3 : frequently encountered or widely accepted
4 : commonly liked or approved (a very popular girl)
Was it just me, or does the concept of popularity not exist in college? In high school, everyone strived to be part of the popular crowd. You know, to have people look up to you and actually have someone wish they lived YOUR life. I didn’t see that in college.
In college, everyone is starting new. No one knows what you were like in high school and most people could care less if you were hot shit in high school. You come to college, you make new friends and you go on with your business. I can’t remember looking at a group of friends in college and saying, “wow… they are cool” or “what losers!” We were all just there, looking to get an education, to make friends, to play sports, to go to parties and to join clubs. We were all equally important.
Why do we emphasize popularity as some sort of societal importance? It’s something that you either have or don’t have. You can’t pay a fee to get it, you can’t take a test… it’s just the luck of the draw. Or am I just living in some sort of bubble and this is not the norm? I’m interested in your comments, as this is intriguing to me…
have you been holding this in a for a few years now?
Comment by Neill — 7/15/2005 @ 2:28 pm
I agree with you. The idea of popularity does not exist in college like it does in highschool which is why I think so many more people enjoy college more than highschool.
Comment by Greg Harrington — 7/15/2005 @ 2:36 pm
When I was at a family reunion last weekend, I had a lot of time to think about this sort of stuff.
Comment by Tara — 7/15/2005 @ 3:14 pm
I have to agree with this one Tara. In college you no longer try to be the cool one with the super nice car or the crazy one that will do anything for attention everyone seems to settle down and party when you can and focus on the important stuf when the time comes. hmmm… Sounds like coming of age and learning more about who you are and where we fit in to this who society thing…
Comment by Tosa (Tulsa) — 7/18/2005 @ 11:15 pm
My college wasn’t normal, but I saw ‘clicks’ and popularity shifts all the time. It wasn’t like there
were freshman willing to be your toady so they might appear more popular or anything but it was
obvious when you went to parties, or clubs or saw people eating dinner by themselves who was popular. Some groups could draw a crowd, most couldn’t.
If you are part of a group that people want to be a part of then you are popular. If you become exclusive then the popularity stock goes up (and you’re a dick).
There are dozens of traits that draw people to a person: humor, fun potential, money, sex… they can be learned somewhat. . . so was grandma saying you’re not cool? You just go be your own person Tara!
Comment by Other Matt — 7/22/2005 @ 10:17 pm
It’s funny because I am at a private university right now and some of my HS friends that are in public are so relieved that the whole popular thing is over and done with since there are like 200 kids in just one class. However in my classes there are like 18-20 kids and where I am at there is def. the popular kids however there is really not an unpopular group but there are the “weird” kids. I at first thought maybe my experience is different since I’m in a smaller environment.
Comment by Nate — 11/10/2006 @ 9:29 pm