At Florida A&M University there are plenty of people to meet and socialize with. And there’s one question that students are more than likely to hear when they interact with other Rattlers: “When is your birthday?”
From there, the guessing game of what Zodiac sign belongs to you and what character traits you possess is underway.
It is no secret that FAMU students have at the very least heard of the varying aspects of astrology that appear online or in their preferred choice of reading and entertainment. For some people, a person’s zodiac sign can be the deciding factor in whether or not the conversation will continue or if you will meet this person again.
For those who are interested in the topic, there are still exceptions and beliefs that go far past the surface level. Fourth-year political science major Niyah Lewis believes that there is a sense of realism to astrology.
“I think that to a certain extent that they are all real along with numerology and horoscopes,” Lewis said. “They are all interconnected and work together in some way. I am sure that people before our time studied astrology as well.”
There are also people who do not view astrology as a valid way to determine how you will get along with another person.
According to a survey done by Researchgate.net, nearly 30 percent of college students believe that astrology does affect everyday life while nearly 20 percent disagree. In the same poll, roughly 80 percent of college students classify astrology as “somewhat scientific.” These statistics raise the bigger question of what do people believe in and what are their values as it relates to everyday relationships.
First-year psychology student Alana Walker says that astrology does not align with her personal beliefs.
“I simply do not believe in it,” Walker said. “If people ask me my sign I will tell them, but for the most part I think people try to group themselves together and not all people are the same.”
It can become difficult for some students to try and understand the spotlight surrounding astrology without any prior knowledge. First-year physical therapy student Christian Jarrell says that he does not put his faith in astrology.
“I definitely do not know much about astrology or horoscopes so it doesn’t impact much of my decision making about people,” Jarrell said. “It is not that important. I don’t even look at compatibility charts or anything like that.”