Etiquette At College By Nellie Ballou

Chapter 1 Manners at College
A college student is thrown suddenly into a community very different from his home and school environment. He finds new ideas, new opportunities, new friends about him. But they must be won by his own efforts. 
He has little chance to ask or wonder what to do as he faces situations that are important to his present comfort and future success. He wants to make good; to scratch his high mark on college records; to have his share of popularity. He realizes that it all depends, not upon pull or money or looks, but upon his ability to adapt himself successfully to these new conditions and to make the most of the chances that come day by day.
The boy or girl who holds an alert attitude toward college life may be sure of the best the college has to offer. Each has his own problems arising from personality and individual talents, but the routine problems of college environment are common to all students alike. They harass the wealthy young person thrown for the first time upon his own responsibility, just as they worry the boy who comes with a little roll of bills for the first semester's expenses and the rest of his way to earn.
How shall he make a good impression upon several hundred people who never heard of him before? How shall he gain friends that will last? How can he make sure of good times and popularity?
Is money for or against one? Can a student making his own expenses hope to take part in society life? What does one need to take along to college? What will the roommate be like? Should one share with Roommate one's secrets,letters, hopes and fears, or remain more or less of an unknown quantity?
There are many questions like these that are too shy for public inquiry. They come from the hearts of boys and girls who want to be popular and beloved; who want to be sought after by desirable groups of student society. What makes seemingly ordinary persons so popular when others with brilliance and ambition go neglected? What is the secret of drawing friends--the law of attraction?
Established college circles judge things on a different basis from time-honored decrees of opinion and fiction. They call good-looking many men and women who seem homely of feature. One who is considered "the real thing" may puzzle a freshman who sees in the example no hint of beauty, genius or heroic action. Customs and traditions are puzzling and handicap until one recognizes, understands and observes them.
Shall the student's parents who are old grads, accompany him and see him started in, or will their kind care react on his standing in the eyes of fellow-students who come alone? Is his southern accent apt to be an asset or a drawback? Shall he admit he plays the guitar? May he tell the college president that his uncle is a trustee and that he is descended from a Mayflower ancestor? Will it help his standing with the fraternity he covets if he drops a word about his father's resources?
What distinguishes the star athletes from those who are "nearly as good" but never make the first team? Why does the tall, graceful girl go home to cry because her name is not among the dancers chosen for the pageant? Why do they omit a certain gifted fellow from the staff of the college weekly?
Why are some girls always busy when beseiged for dates? Why do other smile upon meeting one? When girls meet boys they like, they are especially anxious to make no false moves. Is it forward to ask the boy to call? Or should they wait for the boys to take the initiative? What should one do when the boy does not take the initiative? When one is asked to pour tea for a friend in the town, what should she borrow to wear? How should she answer an invitation to bridge that came on her hostess's visiting card?
Many boys and girls hesitate to attend social affairs because of shyness when they have in them qualities which with a little care and understanding will fairly shine. What are these qualities and how can they be developed?
How is one supposed to act with a faculty member? How much should one tell in home letters? How can one control the reputation for brilliancy or stupidity that seems to spring full grown upon the campus? Why does the over-anxious student seldom make the fraternity desired? May a girl call up a man at his fraternity? What should one know about wearing fraternity pins?
How did it happen that some of the gifted students failed in the dramatic club try-out, leaving a list to be posted that surprised every one?
Why was the college paper staff suspended from publishing the weekly? What was the objection to a bit of hazing?
Why wasn't he asked again to visit the old friends of his parents? Should he feel slighted at a dinner invitation to take the place of another who could not go? Did every one know he wasn't likely to be dining any where but at the dormitory? How should he entertain a visiting alumnus? What calls is he obliged to make? How can he build up a pleasant social life in town as well as in the college? Why do so many college engagements come to grief? What distinguishes a popular man from one who is tolerated merely because another dress-suit is need at the party?
And the student's sister? Her perplexities may be smaller but they can spoil many hours. What shall she wear at the fraternity masquerade party? How can she avoid seeming a wall flower at a dance where she knows so few men? Will her partner see to it that she has a good time all evening? When she goes to a luncheon, is she supposed to keep on her hat and gloves? And how long should she stay afterward? If she is having a guest for the weekend and thinks of asking Mrs. Grayson to include the girl in her dinner party, will it be permissible? 
There are scores of other questions which come up in everyday contacts. If one does not know how to meet them readily, they lead to uncomfortable half-hours or disappointing evenings, raised eyebrows and shrugged shoulders. Half of the situations in which a student is placed are perplexing because they develop suddenly and without warning at a time when he is intent upon learning new people and new customs. To put him on his guard, and to help him know the formalities and informalities of college life as it is likely to present itself, is the object of these chapters. 

Chapter II -- A Good Start