Central Perk. Cape Cod. Society of Women Engineers. The Villanovan.
These and hundreds of other slogans, titles and graphics adorn the computers Villanovans see every day, from inside the Connelly Center to in the classroom. Computer stickers, a trend among college students over the past few years, remain a campus staple and an easy way to learn more about those around us at a glance.
By peeking at the decor some of my peers choose for their laptops, I’ve been able to strike up conversations with my classmates, people in my dorm and even strangers walking through Holy Grounds. I bonded with my roommate during Orientation over our shared love for the Fleetwood Mac album Rumours, thanks to a custom Etsy album cover decal on my MacBook. Other times, stickers pertaining to clubs or activities on campus have welcomed me to ask friends about their involvement and how they like their extracurriculars.
“I think it’s a good way of being able to tell what another person is passionate about or involved with on or off campus, so I enjoy looking at stickers in class,” freshman Cait Jhin said.
My all-time favorites, though, are the references to shows or music intended for only true fans. The “if-you-know-you-know” nods to things like the fictional town of Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls or Taylor Swift lyrics in their classic cursive font. The feeling of immediately knowing that someone shares your interests and being able to say, “I like your sticker” is truly unmatched.
However, at a school as academically and professionally-driven as Villanova, it’s worth noting the concern that a computer covered with stickers could be perceived as juvenile in some settings. Naturally, one might already feel out of place at an internship or upper-level course where they are the youngest in the room. Having a device completely shrouded by a collage of stickers, when others keep their computers squeaky-clean, can definitely contribute to some worries about presenting in a formal manner.
This is especially important, considering that those of older generations (professors, mentors and employers) may not be as familiar with the practice Villanovans have grown so used to seeing. It’s completely valid to wonder whether stickers could put us at a disadvantage by painting students as immature.
“If it were in a class, I wouldn’t think anything of it, but in a professional setting, it might seem a little juvenile,” freshman Nathaniel Hauenstein said.
Among female students, for whom this fad is more popular, and who are more likely to face negative stereotyping in the classroom or workplace, this can be seen as just another avoidable barrier in the way of being taken seriously, a sentiment expressed by other students interviewed.
One trick I recommend is putting stickers on a clear computer case rather than the laptop itself. That way, when you’re in a more professional space, you can simply pop the cover off and have a plain computer, but put your personal flair back on whenever you want. Plus, this avoids the issue of leaving residue on the computer when you inevitably get tired of whatever microtrend you might fall victim to. In my case, a sticker that reads “Espresso,” as a tribute to the song of the summer.
While opinions and norms on the laptop sticker craze may differ across campus, one thing is for sure: they aren’t going anywhere. So, whether you choose to decorate or not, try to be non-judgmental of your decal-devotee classmates and take the opportunity to ask what their stickers mean to them. You might just end up with a new friend in the process.
