OMG,I h8 when ppl talk and e-mail like a middle sch00ler. If you are in college you are most likely 18, also known as an adult. Why would you talk like a preteen?

If you are writing to a professor or anyone at N.C. State, take the time and write a full e-mail. This includes a salutation, their name using Dr., Mr. or Mrs., a body that explains what you are e-mailing about and your name.

If you use text speech or only write a one-line question, this tells the recipient that you don’t think they are worthy of an entire e-mail. You don’t want your professor or T.A. to think you don’t respect them. It’s really not that hard. Instead of: “I need a form from you. When can I get it?” Try: “Dear Dr., Mr., or Mrs. So and So, How are you doing today? Can I stop by your office to pick up a form later today? Please let me know when a convenient time would be for you. Thank you.” It’s very simple.

Also, you do not need four or five paragraphs in order for them to understand that your e-mail is important to you. Everyone is busy; people don’t want to read more than they have to. Keep it brief and simply ask your question or state your business. The important thing to remember is whenever you sit down to write an e-mail to someone on your college campus, think of that person as your future boss, someone you may need a recommendation letter from or a future mentor.

Just like you don’t want to make a bad first impression over e-mail, you also do not want to make a bad first impression in a class or meeting. You need to start now and realize the way you speak is going to let people know who you are and how to treat you. If you speak like a 14-year-old, they’re going to treat you that way.

Never ever use acronyms, like O.M.G., L.O.L., B.R.B., I.D.K., or abbreviations, like totes, def, obvi, probs and legit, while talking to someone who isn’t a good friend of yours.  The most obvious problem with this speech is the inability for anyone over the age of 20 to understand what you’re trying to say.

I get phone calls and e-mails from my dad all the time asking me what different acronyms mean because his staff is using them in e-mails.  For the longest time he thought L.O.L. meant “lots of love” and was very confused why his staff members were saying that to him. These acronyms or abbreviations should only be used when you’re texting friends of yours, and at your age, I think that’s probably pushing it.  And you should never use them while speaking—talking like this just makes you sound stupid.

You really need to think about who you are e-mailing or talking to before you press send or open your mouth. Just remember, as an adult, try to act and speak like one.  Talking like a middle-schooler will not gain you any respect, no matter where you hope to end up in the future.