Advice for a College Freshman

This past Sunday, my baby sister, moved in for her first year of college.  Before she left, I reminded her of previous stories I told her about my college experience and informed her that it truthfully was one of the greatest experienced of my life. It is my sincere hope that everyone can look back and say that.

Now, across the globe, colleges are welcoming incoming freshman.  As a freshman, or even a transfer student, it is important to make college a great experience, so here is my advice to my sister and to you.

“ These next four years will past by in a flash, before you know it, you will be like me, out for two years, looking back and remembering how great it was. That being said, the most important advice I can give you is just that, at the end of the day, only you can make college GREAT.  So go and make the next four years something worth looking back on and smiling.  Try new things, make new friends, go to class, travel abroad, learn new things and be OPENMINDED. In the wise words of Matt Nathanson “ Everyday is the start of something beautiful”, consider everyday at college as another chance to make it a great experience.  At the end of the day, look at college as a safe place for students to grow into the people they want to be. This is your chance. College is a brand new slate. You have the world open to you and there is NOTHING you cannot accomplish if you truly want it.  So go find yourself, find your passion; discover who you are and where you want to be, and have the time of your life doing it. “

It is crazy to think I graduated with my MA two years ago, but my experiences during college made it all worth it. Now, I can look back on those memories and smile, knowing that college made me a better person.  I am honored to have experienced the things I have, I only hope that you can do the same

What Your Mother Doesn't Tell You About: Balancing Life In College

So, here we are again, the first week of the semester or close to it (commonly known as syllabus week). Everything seems to be just fine. You're sitting in class listening to your professor talk while thinking "oh, this is going to be a piece of cake I can totally procrastinate as much as possible in this class and not study much or at all for these exams." Or, maybe, if you have really hard classes like Nuclear Engineering you're thinking "Shoot. Shoot. I am so done for. Bye social life. Bye friends. Bye to myself. RIP to my soul!" What your mother doesn't tell you about balancing life in college is that it's actually really difficult at times.The bottom line is it's all about balance. 

Cougar Fam dinner - note how my big and I accidentally match

If you're Greek or if you're not Greek, being successful is still all about balancing your social life, your academic life, and your personal life. You can, in fact, have a pleasant mix of all three. I have held a full time or close to full time position throughout my long, extended stay in college while being an active member of my sorority and trying my best to get good grades. It's not easy by any means but it's worth it. I struggled very hard my freshman year finding my balance between working arguably a lot for an 18 year old and attending college full time. My grades suffered, I was really unhappy, and I was unsure of how to make a positive change. For me, that positive change was finally going Greek. Because of the requirements of the sorority I joined, I was responsible for maintaining a specific GPA and completing study hours on a weekly basis with my sisters. I learned how to manage my time wisely and become a better, more rounded version of myself. I became a successful college student because I was serious about remaining an active member of my sorority. To be honest, college is rough when you can't find a way to balance everything you're juggling.

I've made a list of my tips for balancing your college life, specifically when you're part of a Greek organization:

1. Take time for yourself.
Take a minute to breath. It's okay if you take a 30 minute nap or turn your phone off for an hour to unwind. You are the most important part of your life and you need to treat yourself as such. Trying to do a million things at once breaks a person down from the inside out and when you're trying to be successful that's not a good formula.

2. Set aside time to study.
Studying is not fun I'll be the first to admit that. It's like flossing your teeth (I actually like that but I guess many people do not...) you have to do it or your dentist will remind you that your teeth are not receiving the proper care. You'll ultimately feel guilty because you know it only takes a few seconds every day. Of course, studying takes more than a few seconds which is unfortunate but setting aside a minimum of 30 minutes every day at least four days a week to review class material will really help you when it comes time to cram for exams.

3. Exercise.
Exercising is so helpful for your body and mind. I don't care if you run eight miles a day, take your dog for a walk, take a Zumba class once a week with your sisters, or if you do a workout routine at home - get moving. When you feel better about yourself you have the ability to excel. You'll be more confident, your endorphin levels will go through the roof, and you'll be an all around happier person. Plus, if you focus on at least 30 minutes of exercise a couple of times a week, you'll help combat the drunken late night Taco Bell quesadilla that you'll probably eat during the weekend.

4. Do your homework.
Like Nike said, Just Do It! It sounds silly to say this, I know, but even if your assignment is the dumbest thing you've ever had to do in your life, just do it. You'll probably get points for it and those points might come back to save you if you don't do so well on an exam.

5. Pick one night per weekend to go out.
I know it's hard. Sigma Pi is having a themed party Friday night, Alpha Xi Delta is having a philanthropy event Friday afternoon, Sigma Kappa is having a pancake breakfast fundraiser Saturday morning, Alpha Tau Omega has a slide 'n slide at their house to raise money for a local charity Saturday afternoon, etc etc etc... You. Are. Busy. Greek Life is busy. You unfortunately have to pick and choose what events you're going to go to. It's not easy because of course you want to support your fellow Greeks in whatever it is that they're doing but you cannot be in multiple places at once (it's 2015, why not?). To be successful, pick one night per weekend to go out and if you get your homework/projects/papers taken care of in a timely manner then by all means, enjoy yourself.

Tailgate on Saturday, Study on Sunday

6. Find a job with flexibility.
I have been so fortunate throughout my college career because I work at an office that's open 9-5 Monday-Friday and I have the ability to come and go as I please as long as I get my work done. Other than that, I work for companies remotely aka online from where ever I am. This makes scheduling classes so much easier if a class I need is not offered at night. Not everyone has that luxury though and some have to work all weekend long in order to make ends meet so that they're able to take their required classes. If you can, find a job that makes you happy but also one that is flexible. Having a boss that understands college is actually really hard to do if you have to work your way through it takes a huge weight off your shoulders.

7. Buy a planner.
This works for most everyone in college. Between socials, mixers, events, homework, projects, exams, work, birthdays, etc... you need something to keep yourself on track. If you like to have a physical planner in hand to write in I recommend buying one with enough space to write your list of duties for each day out. If you're not a fan of having to carry around a planner, head over to the app store and download a day planner. This will save your life more than once. I promise.

Erin or Lilly? The eternal question.

8. Get involved.
But, Kaitlyn, wait a minute - how can I get more involved if I have a ton of things to do already? How does that benefit me? It helps you more than you know. You'll meet people in organizations outside of Greek Life aka more people that can help you in your classes and people you can form study groups with. Plus, who doesn't like getting to know more people? It's a great feeling to walk anywhere on your campus and be greeted with a warm wave or a "hey how's it goin'!?"

9. Take advantage of your chapter's scholarship requirements.
If you're like me, you have to complete a certain amount of study hours per semester. Like, you physically have to go to the library and do your work. Some people might think this sounds strange or a bit juvenile but when you really think about it, what are we all in college for? To do well in our classes and get the heck out of there with a degree in hand. If you're given a required amount of hours to complete per semester, you're going to do them. You're going to be in the library with your sisters or friends or by yourself if that's your thing and you're going to be studying/doing homework. Sit back and watch your GPA sky rocket.

10. Ask for help.
If you can't do everything all on your own, ask for help. It's okay to ask for assistance when you need it. Hello, we're only human. We have bad days where our hair looks like a rat's nest, our favorite Lilly Pulitzer tumbler falls on the ground and breaks, and our allotted print balance for the semester reads $0.00 meaning we have to pay per sheet to print. If you need help, never be afraid to ask. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness and that is the key point to remember.

Enjoy your first few weeks of class and remember these helpful tips for a balanced life.

School supplies to show off your sorority pride

So you just got your bid and are super excited to start showing off your love for your sorority or maybe you're a big who wants to make a back to school bundle for your little. Greek life is known for it's partying, big houses, and going a little wild but academics are also really important in these historical organizations. Members are normally subject to being at a certain GPA and attending a certain amount of study hours. Here's a couple things you can use to make those study sessions and finals cry sessions a little less boring. 

1. A personalized clipboard

Clipboard

2. The best backpack around

Backpack

3. The perfect place to store all your essentials (Keys, ID, some cash) 

Keys

4. For when you have no time to grab lunch in between classes

Lunch

5. For all the textbooks you have to tote around

Tote

6. For the laptop you'll be writing all your essays on

Etsy

7. For showing off your mascot

Mascot

8. For taking notes during chapter meetings

Chapter

9. For when you need your coffee

Coffee

10. The quintessential planner

Planner

11. Labels for your planner

Labels

12. For climbing into bed after a long day of classes

Onesie

13. For when you know your phone will die by lunch time

Phone

14. For when you want somewhere nice to rest your computer mouse

Computer

15. For when your phone is always by your side

Case

Happy back to school shopping! 

Trend Spotter : Nails on Nails on Nails

Recently, our founder hosted a "party" on Facebook where she was selling Jamberry. For those of you who haven't heard of them, Jamberry is (basically) a heat activated sticker that substitutes for nail polish. They come in a variety of colors and patterns and are $15 a sheet. The price may seem a little hefty at first, at least for me it did, but after researching I found that you can get about 2 full manicures out of a single sheet. Way cheaper than any salon! 

I haven't tried the Jamberry nails yet, but I have a sample and I'm pretty excited. I work in the food service industry and my nails take a constant beating. I'm sure a lot of college kids are the same way. All I really want in life is nail polish that won't chip. 

In an effort to achieve ultimate nail greatness, I have taken the adventure into gel nails (not the professional kind) and I've been disappointed. I heard great things about the Sally Hansen Gel which doesn't need a UV light, so I dropped the $7 and tried it. It chipped within hours. 

Something, I will suggest to you guys is Sally Hansen Extreme Wear. Hands down the best polish I've ever tried. With the right top coat, it can last for days. I've spent money on all types of polish, even the best ones like Essie, and SH Extreme Wear beats the competition out of the water. 

Our nails take a beating and it's hard to find the right solution. On the quest to nail perfectness, we all have to trial and error. But I hope that you guys try out the SH and like it! (I'll be sure to leave some updates about Jamberry too!)  

Five Ways to Make Your Post Grad Apartment Feel Like Home

At 24 years old, I am at the stage in my life where I am always on the move. Between going to job A to job B, meeting with my boss to go over my day, the frequent wedding or family shoot, I generally leave in the morning around 9:45 am and usually don’t get home until damn close to 11:30.

Once I get home, I quickly shower and get ready for bed, only to lay awake for at least a good half hour, watching Always Sunny in Philadelphia, until my brain finally wears down and I can sleep.

Then I wake up and do it again.

Despite this, I sometimes get a day off. Those days, while fleeting, are my chance to enjoy my home (and time with my fiancée) for more than just a bed, but as more importantly, as a secure place that makes everything okay!!

Though in many ways, my home has become mainly a place to crash and my car has begun looking more and more like I live in it, the best part of those days off is having time to actually enjoy being in a place designed to make me feel relaxed and at ease.

Since many people, specifically people whom have just started in their careers, have adapted to this nomadic lifestyle, it is easy to forget to take the time to make your apartment feel like home, so when you are there you feel safe, secure, and relaxed.

Here is a list of 5 easy ways to make your apartment “home”:

1. Light: Lights is a great way to make your place feel more relaxing. From windows, to string lights, the options are endless, so make sure you brighten up your space and you will feel right at home in no time.

2. Photo frames: Photos are always a great way to bring a personal touch to your home. The photos are visually appealing and allow for you to reflect on good times.  Add a couple of cool frames and fun pictures  and you will be all set!

3. A designated spot to eat: Sometimes it is the little things, like sitting at the kitchen table to eat, that makes us feel connected to a location. It usually reminds up to slow down and focus.

4, Fun décor:

Little things like great throw pillows, an awesome couch cover, a few cute canvas prints, is all you need to make a space feel personalized.  Use your apartment to reflect who you are and do that with décor.

5. Netflix

Nothing says relaxing at home like curling up on the couch binge watching your favorite show with some wine and ice cream. So skip out on basic cable and subscribe to Netflix, there will always be something to watch!!

Coping With The Loss Of An Active Member

Handling the loss of anyone is intolerably difficult and handling the loss of an active member or any member of your chapter past or present is even more difficult. I get chills and goosebumps as I sit here thinking of ways to do this subject justice. First, I need to remember that I am so grateful as my chapter has not experienced the pain and hardship of losing a sister. However, I have seen first hand the suffering (of chapter members, entire Greek communities, and close friends) that death brings upon those left behind. My hope by writing this post is to bring peace to those suffering and to extend my support to anyone who has ever had to endure this type of struggle. 

Greek Life at SVSU Fall 2014

At my university, over the last two years, we've had to cope with the untimely passing of two specific gentlemen, one an alumni of Tau Kappa Epsilon and the other an active member of Phi Kappa Tau. My entire Greek community felt the heartbreak of not only the families of these two individuals but the pure, pit-in-the-stomach, agony the active members and alumni of these chapters were feeling. We, as Greek life, came together to attend memorial ceremonies, Relay for Life remembrance walks, and even attended the funerals of these individuals regardless of if we knew them personally or not. Being Greek is much more than bid day parties, themed mixers, decorated paddles, socials, fundraising events, and philanthropic endeavors. Being Greek means having not just your entire sisterhood or brotherhood to stand by your side in tough times, but an entire community of individuals who share their support with you in good times and bad. 

Kappa Sigma May 2014

One story that I will share comes from the Sigma Zeta chapter of Kappa Sigma at Northwood University in Midland, MI. I have had the pleasure of being very close with these gentlemen over the course of my college career. I've been able to see the their brotherhood blossom from a simple colony to receiving their charter and becoming a thriving part of Greek Life at NU. If there's one common trend I've been able to observe through each brother of this fraternity it's that they truly have a bond with each other, exactly what brotherhood should be. Recently, one of their active members, Austin, was taken from them too soon. Although I had only met Austin once, I knew immediately that he was one of those all around good guys. He was a genuine person with a desire to make others happy. I asked a few of Austin's fraternity brothers what they like most about Austin and how they will remember him. The responses I got filled my heart with bliss. "He always lit up the room and was always smiling! He was always game for anything and he never worried about what the next day might bring, that's what I admire most about him. He could make anyone, and I mean anyone, laugh. Everyone just loved being around him." said Nick Schummer, an alumni member of Kappa Sigma and very close friend of Austin's. "He was always happy and energetic. He was always smiling. He was someone who could make friends with virtually anyone and hold a conversation with them." said Jay Banks, an alumni member of Kappa Sigma and Austin's Big Brother. 

Austin with his big bro, Jay.

For many, losing a friend or a family member is the most difficult part of life. If I had to explain what it's like to lose a member of Greek Life, specifically a member of your chapter, it's like placing one hundred wine glasses on a tablecloth and having the cloth ripped out from underneath without warning. Ultimately, the glass will shatter into tiny pieces but what happens after that is what makes being Greek such an incredible thing. When you're standing in front of this disaster, wondering how you'll manage to pick up each and every piece you see out of the corner of your eye a glimmer of relief. Before you know it you have one, four, twenty, fifty, possibly even hundreds of people each picking up a piece of the broken glass for you. You are reassured that you are not in this alone.

Austin with a couple of fraternity brothers and close friends.

When I asked Kappa Sigma what they did to support one another other than the obvious phone calls, text messages, and other forms of communication, I was humbled by the response I received. I expected nothing less from this chapter of gentlemen. "At his service we did a passing ritual at his grave site. We had about 30 brothers and alumni members present for this service." said John McGrane, the current President of Kappa Sigma - Sigma Zeta. 30 brothers and alumni, traveling from all corners of Michigan and even from out of the state to remember Austin and stand by each other as brothers to grieve the loss of their dear friend and member of their fraternity family. That is extraordinary. Furthermore, Kappa Sigma will hold a balloon launch at Northwood University on September 1st in remembrance of Austin for the entire Greek Community and student body to attend.

I think what truly hits home for me is the fact that very rarely do you find a group of individuals like this who will travel hundreds of miles to give support when support is needed. Something as simple as standing by your fraternity brother, sorority sister, or any member of your Greek community in a time of need is what being Greek is really all about. Being part of Greek Life has given me and thousands of others the extra family we needed to get us not only through college but through life post-grad too.

This happens more often than any of us would like to think about. From car accidents, to disease, to acts of self harm, we lose people who are so very near to us too often. If you're trying to cope with the loss of a member of your Greek community or even a close friend you made in college, know that you are not alone. Remember the incredible times you've had with this person and share those memories with others to keep their spirit alive. If you're Greek, if you're not affiliated with any organization, or if you never went to college but you're still finding yourself in this same boat of trying to cope with the loss of someone close to your heart, this one is for you. From my heart to yours - 

How to survive your first chapter meeting

So you've survived the craziness of recruitment, the excitement of bid day, and finally met all your lovely sisters! Now you're probably thinking though what your first chapter will be like and how you should act as a new member. You want to make the best first impression, make new friends, and generally just have a great time. Here's my biggest advice for you new members so you can reach all these goals. 

Exec

1. Get familiar with your sorority's rituals, songs, poems, mottos, nick names, and hand signs. 

Song

Whether you passed your sorority's knowledge test with flying colors, are still studying to take it, or are in a local sorority that doesn't have a specific testing procedure at some point you are going to want to know all of your sorority's traditions. Search Pinterest, Sorority Sugar, and various other sorority blogs and learn all that you can! 

2. Listen to the announcements about future events. 

Hoops

Sorority events are a great way to get involved with the Greek community. Especially being a new member this is the best way to get to know not only girls in your sorority but also members of other sororities and fraternities. Formals, philanthropy events, mixers, and speed dating events can all be a blast if you go into them ready to have a great experience. 

3. Be aware of when you need to pay your sorority dues. 

Dues

Whether it is every term, semester, or month make a note somewhere of when you have to pay your dues. Maybe even make a piggy bank like the one above so it becomes a fun occasion. If you need help paying your dues look into how your sorority or university can help you through scholarships or other opportunities. Consider an unhoused local, professional, multicultural, or service sorority as they also normally are less expensive than Panhellenic sororities. 

4. Stay up on your service hours. 

Plunge

There will be so many opportunities for you to work on your service hours. Listen to your philanthropy chair at chapter, find sisters who you can volunteer with, and look into helping organize events! Philanthropy events are a great way to take on more responsibility in your sorority and give back to your community. 

5. Learn your Greek vocabulary. 

Vocab

Check out our blog, Sorority Sugar's blog and glossary of terms, Sorority Ever After's Greek term list, and Bows, Pearls, and Sorority Girls to start. Rho Gamma, colony, door stack, creed, lavaliere can all just seem like random words until you realize their meanings and how they apply to you.  

6. Get to know your chapter's exec board. 

President

Whether you were your class president in high school, anime club co-president, or simply were just very involved in high school you may be interested in an exec position in the future. Get to know the exec board members of your sorority and they can pass on their advice to you. Even if you weren't super involved in high school and want to work on your leadership and teamwork skills now is a great opportunity to step up and represent the place you will be calling home the next four years (or more). 

7. Pick out your badge worthy outfit the day before. 

Attire

From my experience in a local sorority we tend to have formal chapters a couple times a term and the rest of our chapters are informal however yours may be different. Your first chapter I would dress on the more formal side. Try something similar to what you wore during rush such as a nice dress, formal top, or a cute skirt. To be prepared lay out your options and pick out an outfit the night before so you're not scrambling to get to your first chapter meeting on time. 

8. Turn your phone off or put it on vibrate. 

Phone

We all hate that person in the middle of class whose phone starts blaring some annoying pop song so in the middle of a chapter meeting won't be any different. Don't be that new girl who gets on the bad side of exec board her first chapter meeting. Just turn it on silent, vibrate, or completely off because it can wait. Your exec board deserves your undivided attention and respect. 

9. Sit by a new sister every meeting. 

Friends

You may not think the girl with the Lilly planner or the super high voice will become your best friend or even your future big but don't judge based on these quick assessments. Sitting by a new sister every meeting will give you the chance to get to know your sisters no matter your first impression. Whether you become best friends or just passing acquaintances it is good to have these connections for the future. 

10. Have fun! 

Shout out to my goofy sisters and I having a blast!

Your first chapter meeting can be pretty overwhelming and you'll learn a lot in a very short amount of time. So despite all the stress you may be feeling remember that all the older members were once in your shoes. They are there to help you  and they picked you to be apart of their sisterhood so you're already doing something right. That said you'll be an old pro in no time so just have fun and be yourself.