Check out this zoom recording (passcode: xk9+BAf8) from our 2023 How to Pinterest Event with our Co-Community Service Chair, Mackenzie who provides clear examples on what is acceptable for the Pinterest board and answer any questions your sisters had. If you would like to just look at the slideshow, click here.
Every year, Honors Program students are required to earn Habits of Mind points. Participating in events, activities, and organizations are all ways to enrich the mind and demonstrate engagement outside of the classroom. A list of activities and their corresponding point can be found in the Honors Guide.
The list within the guide is not an extensive list, so scholars may petition for events that are not explicitly within the guide to receive points for them. Once you have submitted the form, you will receive an email either rejecting the event or approving and confirming the amount of points it is worth. Click here to fill out the form.
The number of points you must earn each academic year depends on your classification.
First-year: 50 points
Sophomore: 40 points
Junior: 35 points
Senior: 30 points
NOTE: Points are not cumulative. A first-year who has attained their 50 point requirement must attain 40 additional points during their sophomore year, 35 during their junior year, and 30 during their senior year.
To document these points, we use Pinterest. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to best set up your board.
Step 1: Create/sign into an account
Navigate to the Pinterest website. If you do not already have a Pinterest account, click “sign up” in the upper right-hand corner to create a new profile. Otherwise, you may log in to use an existing account to track your points.
Step 2: Follow the official Spelman Honors account
Once you have either created a new account or logged into an existing account, you must follow the Spelman Honors Pinterest page (@spelmanhonors). This helps us to keep track of every Honors student and makes it easier for us to verify your points. To follow, click the button indicated in the red circle above.
Step 3: Setting up your profile
Navigate to your profile page and click “Edit Profile.” You are not required to list your full name. First name and last initial or first initial and last name are acceptable. Above, both options are exemplified. You may do whichever is most comfortable.
In the bio, it is important to list:
1. Your classification
2. Your class year
3. How many points you have
Listing both classification and class year may seem redundant, but it helps during the verification process to make sure that the point value you list is up-to-date with the academic year.
Step 4: Setting up your board
Following the instructions here, create a new Pinterest board. You may be creative when naming your board, however, the title must include the academic year in which the points were acquired. You must also create a new board for each academic year.
In the description of the board, please list your classification and the number of points you have. Again, while it might seem redundant, it makes the point verification process of 200+ students flow more quickly.
Step 5: Creating a post
Following the instructions here, create a new pin. Above is an example of proper formatting.
Important Takeaways:
- The point value of the event is listed at the beginning of the title.
- The description explains how this is an example of intellectual engagement. (Note: Pinterest has a character limit, so this does not have to be long, but if you are not sure if an event quite fits a category, this is your chance to argue it).
- You must be depicted in some way in the photo.
Point Values:
The document with the number of points each activity is worth can be found here.
Examples of Acceptable Photos:
This is the preferred type of photo. This was taken at the Honors Social in the Fall. You can clearly see me, along with the festivities in the background. Honors events may require you to take a photo with an E-Board member in order to receive credit.
While my face is not pictured, my hand is identifiable as belonging to me. If you were to come up to me on any day of the week, my nails would be short and bare (I am a cellist), and I wear a watch on my left hand. For you, a distinguishable feature on your hand might be nails done in a certain way, a birthmark on your thumb, a watch, or skin tone consistent with other pictures.
Virtual event? No problem. You may take a picture of yourself and your laptop screen.
In this screenshot, I am on camera in a Zoom call. It is a little dark, but it’s clear that I was there and personally took the photo. (Blurring the photos of other participants is not necessary).
Screenshots of emails or website portals that display evidence of applying/being accepted to internships or scholarships are also acceptable. Please include the date in the screenshot.
Step 6: Keep up with the deadlines
Every semester right before Honors priority registration begins, Ms. Cooke emails a link to a form to secure your Honors priority registration. The form includes a spot to insert a link to your current Pinterest board.
The due date for Pinterest boards changes every year, however, you must have all of your required points by the posted Spring deadline to remain in good standing.