Why You Should Go Natural While In College

Ah, college…I remember those days. It was that time of an awakening of a new me that required no real talent or skill; just me living, breathing and learning about myself. It’s a time when you realize the world does not live like you lived, while growing up, and your truth is not the truth of others. Well, not exactly the same anyway.

You see how others were raised and how that will aid or squash their success away from home, just like it will for you. If you are going to college, but still living at home, it’s not the same as living away from home. You are, however, still introduced to new ways of life, and new avenues are opening up to you. Some are marked with great opportunity, and others not so much.

So, where does hair fall into this new horizon that encompasses your new life? It can fall where you want it to fall, and it can be as important or as unimportant as you see fit. I know I said a whole lot of nothing, but if you are in college, sometimes hair is used as a form of political protest, rebellion, or just tucked away so that life on campus is easier.

Hair is a touchy subject for some, and no matter how many times someone says, “it’s only hair”, it doesn’t make it so for everyone. Guaranteed, while you prepared and made your way to your first set of classes, you have thought about how you are going to maintain your hair at least one time.

Hair is important, and even if it’s merely an accessory, it is a part of your style, mood, or even a moment. Whether we are natural or relaxed, we must cleanse, condition and moisturize, so it’s more than hair. Going natural requires work, thought, and patience.

So what’s the decision? How do you plan to maintain your hair, while enjoying these 4 years of your life? We say go natural, and here is why:

Perfect time for change

If you want this change, there is always a perfect time for it. Change occurs constantly. As we grow older, it’s harder to adapt to change, no matter how open-minded we may be. We get into routines, family, work, and before you know it, you are worrying about so much more. The thought of going natural may not seem worth the trouble.

Don’t get me wrong, I went natural at 35 and I loved it, but it was harder than if I would have gone natural at 20, or even 25. Change was easier when I was younger. Even though I WANT to believe I am always open it, I am not – at least  not as easily as I was when I was younger.

More Liberal Environment

College is a much more liberal environment than corporate America, or most nine to five places. My daughter, who is in her 2nd year of college, is rocking 6 earrings, a nose ring, and a navel ring. She bops around her campus and works at a local restaurant.

She feels comfortable with herself, her natural hair, and her entire environment. It is as liberal as she is going to get, and as she finds her way, she is also finding her style.

Be as adventurous as you feel comfortable with, and that includes on working with your tresses. No one is expecting you to ‘fit in’, or telling you to dress a certain way to further your career.

Those are real issues that many women outside of college are facing, so this is the time to just ‘be’, without anyone telling you you can’t have color or a fro.

You are expected to experiment

This is the time to do all the things you have been dying to do, since you are no longer under the watchful and fearful gaze of your parents. Experiment! But only on the good stuff!

Not everything is meant to be experienced, but choosing how to rock your tresses is most definitely on the list. Do a shaved side, an undercut, or rock blue hair if you want, all while going natural.

Feel your own texture and see how well it looks on you, or just shave it all of if you want. This is the time to try it all out and see who you, and who you will become. Believe me, this is the time to test the waters.

The price

It’s much cheaper to be natural now than it was ten, or even five years ago. When I went natural, I had to spend twenty or thirty dollars on a product, but at 35 and working full-time, I could afford it.

I could not even IMAGINE trying to do that while in college! Most college students are broke, or darn-near broke, so spending tons of money on hair products is out of the question, and so is getting pricey weaves*. Now, a natural can do just about any style or requirement (like trims) on her own with a YouTube video as her guide, or a blog to show her the way.

You can pick up super cheap or reasonably priced natural products for under ten dollars, and sulfate-free and silicone-free items for under seven dollars right at your local Target, or grocery. You can even get them with free shipping from Amazon.com from your smartphone. The availability is here, the price is right, and you will still have enough money to go out, to eat, and to pay for gas.

So what do you guys think? Is it easier to go natural while at college?