Penciling you in

The easiest way to put it, is that freshman year is overwhelming.. and that's okay! You are moving into a new town, meeting new people, stressing about classes, and overall trying to take in the new and exciting place that you now call home. On top of everything else, throwing greek life into that mix might seem like too much on your plate, but it’s easier than you think and SO much fun!

In college, you aren’t going to be in class all day or everyday like in high school. This means you are going to have a lot of free time, maybe more than you know what to do with. It’s easy to spend all that time hanging out with friends, catching up on sleep, or watching the latest netflix show, but once you have a set school schedule, look at your break times and plan according to what is best for your life. With that being said, I can not stress this enough... get a planner! I personally feel like you can’t be in a sorority without one. The only way to keep track of every event on top of your school work is to write it down. Seeing plans in front of you will help you keep up with all the events and when your busiest days will be. Sometimes even a semester long calendar can be helpful as most of our events are planned ahead of time and your classes will have deadlines posted months in advance.

If you’re like me and plan on spending all your money on your sorority’s t-shirts, then you might also be planning to get a part-time job. Most college students balance school, their job, and their social life. Being in a sorority means there will be plenty of opportunities to hang out and socialize whether it's at mixers or a sister’s house. It will be super easy to get caught up with work or hanging out with friends and leaving time for studying or homework. Most sororities, if not all, have a minimum GPA requirement and required study hours. This motivates members to make time for their studies, no matter how busy life can get. Having a designated study time and making social plans in advance will help you manage your time so much better.

There will be times where you will have several assignments due at the same time as a social event. However, it’s important to remember that your education is the number one reason why you’re in college. Finding this balance can be hard but at the end of the day, it’s worth it. Remember-- get a planner, make your lists, use that in between time, and your busy life won’t be as stressful!

- Presley Allen, President, PC '18