I was always told to respect my elders when I was younger, which is why I bit my tongue around my friend’s parents after a good, mean lecture.

The instinct to be appropriate usually kicks in for people when around adults and professionals. I like to think that when put in certain situations having a filter makes things go a lot more smoothly. There are certain situations that call for the use of slang, but in the world of school and success, it’s highly unlikely.

It’s possible for people to still be themselves 24/7, but instead maybe think before you say and ask yourself who is your audience?

I think it’s obvious if you’re in a formal situation rather than an informal situation. It’s shocking that some people can’t tell the difference.

Slang could be defined as a way for a person to put their own creativity in swapping the common words they hear every day with the words not everyone necessarily knows.

Even though two out of three full-time students at City College graduate within three years, I don’t think all of these students are taking their grammar seriously enough for a good career to be in their future.

I went to Carpinteria High School and that was where I first heard the word “shoal,” which is slang for disgusting. Since then I’ve adopted that word in my everyday vocabulary. However, I would never use this word on an important document that would decide my future.

According to Chad Dion Lassiter, professor of race relations at the University of Pennsylvania, college admissions professionals are getting essays like they’ve never seen before. Slang that is presented in the first few sentences of applications forces professionals to toss them to the side.

I may use the word shoal and text things like “OMG,” or “LOL,” but I would never add those things to a paper that could decide my future.

Some people may argue that college admissions essays should be a reflection of a person and might believe using slang allows them to show who they are, but what’s important in this situation?

I think swallowing your pride for this one formal document and being proper instead would be a smart idea in regards to getting accepted, or even getting a job.

It’s unlikely that society will dumb down their requirements for professional jobs. Using the word “hella” or “wicked” in a formal interview raises flags if part of the job is to be professional.

I think it’s important for students and people to realize who their audience is at all times. People forget that when they give disrespectful opinions on things to older people and professionals, it’s these people who are deciding their future.