Branching Out To Other Organizations

Do it. It will do you some good.

While joining a sorority will look great on a resume with the ever-lasting commitment you display, good character traits, your ability to lead -- it should not be the only thing that shows what you are capable of doing.

As it is still the beginning of the school year, try to look into other organization to not only build up your resume, but to also build up your networking. It will create a lot of connections to a field of interest.

All college campuses varies by what clubs are offered but each has a consensus for an enjoyable student life.

Look into an academic or business fraternity. It will show that you are goal oriented to prove your own leadership potential and your LinkedIn profile will be blasted with so many connections from your peers and current business employers who will be impressed with your endorsements.

Community service clubs are a great way to connect with something bigger. It can be for a national community service organization like Circle K International or Habitat for Humanity, where you vie for the same type of services for a common goal. Each organization not only provides their services to the community with something small like trash pick up or big like building a new home, but they also fundraise money for their counterparts! You'll get that heart warming feeling when you see so many smiling faces from a job well done.

Get cultural with culture clubs, even if you aren't born into it! You'll get a whole new perspective on an exciting lifestyle for people who are eager to show you! You'll learn something new every time and there will also be an abundance of food from all of the potlucks that will ensue. Yes, please.

Step out of your chapter to develop a better college experience. This will create many memories with different people who, too, share the same interests as you!

What Every College Girl Should Know

A few pieces of advice I've collected, for college girls, throughout my time spent in college. 

1. You may not like your roommate, which is fine.  All you need to do is learn how to live with her.
2. Nobody really cares where you went to high school, what clique you were in, or how many awards you won.
3. Chances are high that you will change your major. I promise you it won't destroy your college experience.
4. It's okay to not get straight A's.
5. Sometimes that paper you think deserves and A+ will get a B, and it's okay life will go on.
6. Tutoring is something that everyone uses, even the smart kids on campus.
7. Your first semester is one of the most difficult adjustment periods you will experience, in college.
8. You're definitely not going to stay in touch with all of your friends from high school.
9. Speaking of high school, you might miss it sometimes and that's okay.  It's all part of the transition process. However, don't let yourself dwell on the pass and miss out on the here and now.
10. There's a lot more to college than frat parties and football games.
11. You don't have to drink to be social.
12. First impressions are important, but your first thoughts about people aren't always correct.
13. It doesn't how well you know "that girl at the party", if she's too drunk help her! After all,  if by chance that was you, your friend, or your sibling you would want someone to help you.
14. Always charge your phone before going out. 
15. Never go out alone.
16. Create a budget, it's easy to spend too much.
17. Don't send a snapchat that you wouldn't want someone to screen shot.
18. Don't post anything on social media that you wouldn't want your grandmother to see.
19. Sometimes you have to cry to feel better.
20. 95% of the time crop tops are not a good look. 
21. Have self respect.
22. Don't change your morals because they don't match someone else's.
23. Get dressed for class. It makes you more alert and leaves a good impression on your peers and professor.
24. Talk to your parents! They can provide great advice and support.
25. Take lots of pictures (You don't need to post every picture you take)!
26. Unless you are 21, don't post pictures with alcohol in them. 
27. Red cups are not a good look for social media posts.
28. Get involved! 
29. Use an agenda. They help a lot.
30. Go to class. 
31. Spark Notes is not going to get you too far in college. Shocker, you have to actually do your own work!
32. Take advantage of all the opportunities your campus has.
33. Failure is a part of life, but remember to learn from it.
34. Try something new.
35. It's okay to have a late night snack every once in awhile just don't make it a habit.
36. Add the number for your campus public safety into your phone.
37. Leggings can be worn as pants, but not for every single occasion.
38. Pinterest is a great resource for just about everything!
39. Stand up for what you believe in. It's okay if you have to stand alone sometimes.
40. Splurge on something for yourself every once in awhile.
41. A little retail therapy won't kill you.
42. Be sure to eat a balanced diet.
43. Be active, it's good for your physical and mental health.
44. Balance work and play.
45. Don't go home every weekend.
46. Step outside your comfort zone.
47. Take time for yourself. Your mental health is important.
48. Take some time for reflection. It is important to realize what is and is not working for you.
49. Be kind to everyone without letting them walk all over you.
50. Have fun!

XOXO

-Michaela

Being in the Wrong Major

Let’s face it- junior year of high school is arguably the most stressful year of high school. You start to think about what college(s) to apply for, the hundreds of scholarship apps you’ll need to fill out in order to even go to college, and what major you’ll decide to be. Year after year, your teachers and guidance counselors told you to not only major in something you “like” but also major in something that is practical and will make you money; so majors like professional writing or psychology always raised the question “what are you gonna do with that after you graduate?”  But by my second year of college, I realized that I had inadvertently gone along with that same mindset. I was also more miserable in my major and felt it would only get worse.

My first two years of college, I was a biology major. My ultimate dream was to be a doctor and I was never going to give up on that dream, even though biology is one of the hardest majors out there. Don’t get me wrong, I still want to be a doctor more than anything else in this world, but I found that majoring in biology just wasn’t for me. I have a special love and appreciation for science, but I also love more artistic things such as playing the piano and writing poetry. While being a biology major, I found that my major was taking so much out of me in every way possible that I actually started to hate it. I hated going to class, I hated the material, and I especially hated how expensive all those books were getting. I felt so trapped! Then it dawned on me- I came to college not only for a degree, but to grow and expand my way of thinking and I wasn’t getting that. So I decided to make a change.

I took a sociology class last year and I instantly fell in love with it. I realized that I was more excited about going to class more so than I ever was while in college. The work for that class didn’t seem like work to me; it was enjoyable and extremely fulfilling. And while I was searching through a long list of majors to choose from, I thought to myself-“why am I making this so hard?!” In that moment, I knew sociology was for me.

Once I told my advisors, friends, and family about my change, I was bombarded with questions, comments, and a whole lot of concerns. I felt I had to give them more than just “because it just feels right” but I realized, that’s all I really needed. (Plus, if I’m gonna be spending thousands of dollars and 4+ years on a degree, I sure better enjoy every penny I’m spending and every hour of work I’m gonna be putting in.) But once I also explained that I can still go to med school and take the necessary prereqs while studying something I didn’t realize I always loved, everyone started to realize why I made the change in the first place. Now, this fall, I will officially be declaring my major as Sociology with a concentration in Medical Sociology and I may even add a minor in Chemistry! And even though I have a long road of ahead of me, at least I know I’ll be happy. I’ll have time to get back to the things I love such as playing the piano and having the opportunity to write for an amazing blog such as this one!

So if you’re having legitimate thoughts of changing your major (because let’s be real, we all have those thoughts at some point during college), talk to your advisor. Really do some soul searching and do what you feel is right in your heart. Who cares if no one else sees the vision that you do?! You only go through this kind of college experience once, so why waste it on being in a major you hate? Do what you love and have a passion for. If that ends up being a major that’ll make great money, then good for you. If not, you’ll always figure out a way to make it work. Trust yourself and trust in your instincts and you can’t go wrong.  

Look at the great job Charisse did on her first article!

Sorority Recruitment Prepares You For the Real World

Believe it or not sorority life is more than matching tee shirts, fake candid pictures, and themed parties.  Just like sorority life is more than all that, Recruitment is more than a popularity contest, matching outfits, and fake smiles. Being a member of a sorority means you are recruiting 365 days a year, whether it’s through formal recruitment, social media, networking with women in your classes, or the way you act while wearing your letters.  At some point during your time as a collegian, you will experience Formal Recruitment.  I’ve had the opportunity to experience the Formal Recruitment Process both as a PNM, Potential New Member, and as a recruiter. Formal Recruitment requires a lot of preparation leading up to the days filled with rounds of meeting new women. So how can Formal Recruitment help you in the real world?

Time Management Skills: Preparing for Formal Recruitment require long hours of preparation in the weeks leading up to the actual recruitment events.  For Fall Recruitment these days, known as Spirit Days, are crammed into the first few weeks of the year. On top of establishing new semester routines and remembering how to study, you now have to spend hours preparing to recruit your sorority’s future.  This requires time management.  For me, my agenda helps keep me sane during the first chaotic month of the fall semester. Time management is a skill that will help you be successful for the rest of your life.

Optimistic Outlook: Whether you are a PNM or a sister who is recruiting, the Formal Recruitment process can be very long and tiresome.  Sometimes you spend a long time in uncomfortable shoes and clothes, you go hours without eating, and you get hardly any sleep.  While these things sound awful, the experience you are getting makes up for it. There are two ways you can deal with these negative things: with an optimistic attitude or with a pessimistic one. Being pessimistic will make the whole process seem much longer, and if you are a PNM you will have a tough time getting into a sorority because nobody really wants a negative Nancy to be their sister. The better option is to have an optimistic throughout the whole process. Being optimistic will make you happier and allow you to turn the negatives into positives. This is a trait that will get you far in life. Living life with an optimistic attitude will bring you a lot more happiness and positivity, which makes life much more pleasant.

Communication Skills: Formal Recruitment is all about being able to converse with other women.  It is through these conversations that you either figure out the organization you will call home or the women you would like to add to your organization. Without these conversations recruitment really wouldn’t exist. Recruitment teaches you how to have quality conversations and how to communicate even when a conversation is dying. Being able to communicate in awkward or normal conversations is a skill that will help you in the workplace, socially, and on a daily basis.

Appearance: Believe it or not, first impressions are incredibly important.  During recruitment first impressions matter, which is why it is important to be groomed. This means your hair should be done neatly, attire should be on the conservative side, makeup should give off a clean appearance, deodorant should be worn, clothes should not be wrinkled, nails should be trimmed and painted neatly (or not at all), and perfume should be on the lighter side. Learning to make a great first impression through a well-kept appearance is something that is good to know how to do as you will need to do this during a job interview.

Good luck to everyone engaging in the Formal Recruitment process this Fall! Just remember that the experience you are gaining is helping you develop better professional skills, which will help you post college.

Congrats to one of our new writers, Michaela, for this amazing article!! She also blogs as The Shore Life According to M!

Disaffiliation Is A Lot Harder Than I Thought

This summer and upcoming fall, I have to disaffiliate/disassociate myself from my sorority because I have the opportunity to be a rho gamma in this year's recruitment. 

Let me tell you, during my interview they asked me if I will have any trouble from disaffiliation considering that I have to showcase an unbiased opinion. I told the interviewers, "I can disaffiliate easily. It can't be that hard because it's only the summer. And I'll busy myself, so I don't think there's a chance I'll see them in public anyways." 

I was wrong. 

It was a long and tedious process to hide my photos and privatize every social media account I had. Thankfully, there were loopholes where I can still talk to my sisters with texting but it was like I was creating a forbidden relationship with my own chapter.  

When some girls wanted to hang out with me, we actually had to think logistically because of a possible potential new member spotting my sister in her srat gear. Then there was moments in group outings where sisters would take photos for PR, and I was either the photographer or the girl awkwardly watching from the sidelines. 

I can walk on campus and see my sister but I can't open wave to them or hug them. I literally have to look the other way or not make eye contact with them. It has turned to a point where any type of public communication is literally not allowed with us!

There are definite pluses to disaffiliation because I am able to meet a whole range of amazing girls from different chapters and I can focus on the new members during recruitment. While disaffiliation seems hard right now, I find it hopeful because then I can start running back into my sisters's arms and proudly wear my letters again. 

What's In My Bag: Finals Week Edition

So it's not exactly my finals week but like a good student (hear that Mum, I'm a good student), I am starting to study 2 weeks before my actual finals week. Since the library has become my new home, I obviously have to pack anything and everything I could potentially need during my journey to the land of the books and procrastination.

Here are the contents of my bag:

1 pack of Sour Patch kids - a reward of course
Half a dozen pens in various colors
2 Highlighters
1 pack of Snapea Crisps - these are an amazing snack
As many of my notes that I could find from the semester in file folders
2 Legal Pads
My iPad
My Laptop
Every electric cord I could think of - iPad charger, phone charger, laptop charger
My monogrammed TI-84 Silver Plus
A few different colors of PostIt Notes
My Planner
A Cardigan
Secret Garden by Johanna Basford - it's a coloring book for grownups in case I need a distraction
Instant Coffee Packs
A Water Bottle

What do you take for your productive study sessions at your library?

5 Cheap Dates for the College Couple

Well, Valentine's Day is this weekend so naturally we are all checking out our bank accounts to decide whether or not we can go out for the night. Let me just tell you that actually going out to dinner on V Day is quite expensive and almost not worth the stress. Here are 5 alternatives to a $100 dinner with bae.

1. Make Dinner! Look up a recipe or call home for a suggestion from mom. You can go all out and make a steak or keep it simple and make a pasta from what you already have in your kitchen!

2. Build a Bonfire! Cuddle up after wandering around together picking up firewood!

3. Have a movie marathon! Pick a series of movies that you both want to watch and settle in for the night with popcorn!

4. Go on a long winding drive! Take turns picking left or right and drive until you are completely lost!

5. Learn how to give a great massage! Take turns giving each other massages.

These are small and would work for any night not just Valentine's Day and some can even be done with a group!

Have a love filled week and share Valentine's Day photos with us on Instagram (@sisterhoodredefined)!

Why Rankings Are Irrelevant

It’s inevitable for ranks to happen in the Greek community, especially if it’s made by other people in the Greek community or from vicious websites for anonymous people to comment negatively. It’s easy to take a peek at these comments and read relentlessly what strangers are saying. These ranks suddenly became a popularity contest by outsiders and a forum for anonymous users to leave hateful words.

It’s impossible to have these rankings remove the invisible “top house/ bottom house” stamp on your sorority. However, it is possible to not have these ranks affect you.

Sororities are something to experience if you are from the outside looking in. Otherwise, the person who is making such rude comments is literally making rude comments for no reason at all. Who are they trying to impress by demeaning a sorority? Rankings have a lot to do with perception than actual facts. Many comments made on ranking websites contradict with each other. One commentator will call XYZ classy, while another calls them trashy. You shouldn’t value the opinions of strangers who have no clue what really goes on in that sorority.

Although, it may be hard to pin-point who is making these rude comments, they are irrelevant. No fraternity man can truly understand the bonds of sisterhood. No sorority woman can understand what it’s like to be a member in another house. Yes, they socialize with you and see the endless amount of photos popping up on their Facebook feed, but they cannot live vicariously through you.

These rankings do not define you or your sorority in any way. Women joined sororities for the bonds they want to make. From bid day to graduation day, sorority women are wearing their letters proudly. Since the beginning of recruitment, you may have had an open mind to going panhellenic because you were searching for a sisterhood. What happened within those parties changed you because you finally understand what it means to be a sorority woman. There’s a high chance that after day one of recruitment, you wanted to call yourself “A ____” because you wanted to do what these women were doing, you wanted to match endlessly with them, and you wanted the same bonds they already made with each other. You saw yourself calling those girls your sisters.

You don’t have to explain to anyone why your sorority is ranked high or low. In the end, you earned those letters for embodying your sorority values and you’re making the best memories with your sorority sisters. You shouldn’t choose a sisterhood based on biased ranks and you should not let those ranks affect your sisterhood. The best thing to do is avoid that negativity and concentrate on your amazing sisters. 

Editor's Note: This article was written by one of our new writers, Christina. Please show her some love in the comments for her first post! 

4 Apps Every College Girl Needs

The one thing we keep on us at all times is our smart phone. We try to live without it but let's be real it's attached to our hand pretty much 80% of the time. We may as well make good use of the 15 GB in our lives.

1. Pocket Expense - This is an app that I use to track my finances. It's amazing to use for budget management, tracking your bills and keeping your accounts organized. I love it because it allows me to see where my money is being spent and where I'm going over budget. It enables me to adjust monthly and see a month in a review that shows me when I am spending more money than I have. 

2. Adobe Reader - I don't know about you but almost all of my professors send me articles, assignments and syllabuses in pdf format. When I use the Adobe Reader app, I can access all of these pdfs whenever I want. My favorite feature is being able to sort and save all of my pdfs. 

3. Quizlet - Flashcards are the easiest way to study on the go, but who wants to put up with all of the paper, I know I sure don't. Using the Quizlet app, you have access to all of the online flashcards from the Quizlet site as well as the ability to make you own! 

4. Your Chapter's Website Made into an App - So this isn't an app that you can find in the app store but it's certainly one you'll use daily. Both Apple and Android give you the ability to bookmark frequently used websites into apps on your home screen. Auto save your login information and have all of your chapter information at the click of a button! 

What apps do you use daily? 

10 Books to Read in 2015

I am not sure about you, but I am an avid book reader! I can spend an entire weekend holed up with a good book and have no regrets when I finish it in in two days. Many people list "read more" on their New Year's resolutions yet have no action plan or way to accomplish this goal. Many don't even have a list of books they would like to read. I have compiled a list of books that every college girl should read this year!

1. Girl Boss - Read the story of Sophia Amoruso and how she built her Nasty Gal empire. She gives great advice through the book and has sparked the #GirlBoss movement.

2. Yes Please - Who doesn't love Amy Poehler? This book is full of fun stories from Amy herself. She will inspire you, make you laugh, and challenge you to become a better you!

3. Looking For Alaska - With John Green being one of the most popular authors for teens and young adults, it makes sense that you should read more of his work. This story follows a teenager on his journey and makes many pit-stops on topics such as love.

4. The Happiness Project - Gretchen Rubin decided one day that she wanted to dedicate her life to being happy. That is where the Happiness Project began. Dedicating one full year to happiness and chronicling her journey, Rubin brings us not only a good read but a new lifestyle.

5. Packing Light - I found this book through a fellow travel blogger. It shows the story of a college grad as she travels through all fifty states in a year in order to learn more about herself and living with less baggage.

6. I Was Here - If you are looking for a more heart-wrenching fiction read, pick up I Was Here. This story beautifully portrays the darker sides of friendship and will be a story that sticks with you forever.

7. Not That Kind Of Girl - This book is a collection of essays written by Lena Dunham that will make you feel as if you are getting a sneak peek into a interesting life. From the essays, you will learn valuable lessons and also understand the situations she has been in.

8. After - If you want a classic, easy to read, somewhat cheesy love story then this is the perfect book for you! The first in its series, this book will introduce you to Tessa and her new friend Hardin. You will see how her life changed once she met this guy and you will fall in love with the characters.

9. Paper Towns - John Green seems to be all the rage these days and Paper Towns is another book that perfectly display his intelligence. Q and Margo are quite the pair in the story and they have experienced quite a lot together. This book will take you through their experiences as you read and you will quickly become entranced.

10. Dark Places - If mysteries or chiller stories are more your style then definitely pick up Darn Places by Gillian Flynn. If you have read Gone Girl then you know sort of what to expect, but if not you will begin questioning your own sanity as you read each page of this book.

Stay in Touch!

I know how hard it is to be apart from your sisters for a long break. A month in December and almost three over the summer, it’s miserable! I have a few ways to keep it together thought and I’m here to share them with you!

1. Download GroupMe: what’s more fun than a massive group text message with up to 50 of your closest sisters? Absolutely nothing!
2. Start a pen pal system: I know I love getting mail and mail from sisters you don’t know as well not only improves your loneliness but it also does wonders to your sisterhood bonds!
3. Organize meetups in different areas: have all the sisters that live within an hour of you, over for a movie night and holiday cookies!
4. Call your besties frequently: a texting conversation is one thing but a phone call really helps you reconnect with someone!
5. Keep the email love strong: if you don’t want to search for a stamp, write your letters online and email them to different sisters!
6. Use a website like Elfster to set up a Secret Santa: even if it doesn’t get started before the holidays do, sending and receiving gifts will make you feel extra special.
7. Skype: have everyone brew a cup of coffee and log on to a chat! If you regularly meet up for coffee at school, this is a great way to do it from your own homes away from school!

Have fun keeping in touch with sisters and while you are sending out holiday e-cards, send one to us too at sisterhoodredefined@gmail.com!

Moving On Up

This year I finally took the leap and moved off-campus. Freshman year I lived in the dorms, but for the past two years I lived in my sorority house. I have so many great memories from living there, but I wanted a change for my senior year. So, I gathered up a group a friends and we embarked on our house search. It was just like House Hunters. We toured houses, and then had three to choose between. I’m so glad I made the decision to live off-campus, but I’m also really glad I waited until my senior year.

My humble abode for the year.

One of the main reasons I wanted to live off-campus was so that I could choose who I would live with. I absolutely love my sorority sisters, but I also love my rowing teammates. By moving off-campus I was able to live with who I wanted, which happened to be 2 teammates, 2 friends from freshman year, and 1 girl who is a teammate and a sorority sister. Choosing who to live with can be really difficult, but it’s essential that you find a group that melds well. Just because someone is your best friend doesn't mean you would be great housemates. It’s okay to be honest with yourself about who you can and cannot live with since that house will last for an entire year.

When looking for a house, make sure to weigh all your options. First and foremost, consider whether it is better to live on-campus or off-campus. If you decide that off-campus is the best option for you, it’s time to figure out your budget. Most people account for rent and utilities, but don’t forget the other expenses. There’s no longer anyone to provide toilet paper or cleaning supplies. The little odds and ends expenses can really add up. The biggest shock to my wallet has been food. I didn't have a meal plan when I lived here over the summer and I was surprised by how much time and money to took to make three meals a day. When school started I decided to get a small meal plan so I could grab lunch on campus between classes and coffee whenever I wanted it. Some people are amazing cooks and bakers…me, not so much. If I had to rely on my own abilities, I would be eating a lot of bagels and taquitos.

Although living off-campus can be daunting, it can also be really fun. My housemate and I scoured garage sales all summer to collect décor for our nautical themed living room. It’s still a bit of a work in progress, but I love it so far. Not living on campus also means not having to follow strict campus rules. No more quiet hours for me!

Living off-campus can be a great experience in college. If you have any other tips, leave them in the comments!

5 Things to Look Forward to Over Thanksgiving Break

I don't know about you but this week before Thanksgiving feels like the longest week of the semester. Some would argue that the week before the end of the semester is worse but honestly, we have finals so I don't think it even compares to this week where you don't feel productive at all.

One thing that almost always helps me get through long days or long weeks are things to look forward to! Here are the top 5 things (though there are countless more) that I am looking forward to next week.

1. Seeing my family. I haven't been home since the beginning of August and let me tell you that it is so incredibly rough. I have plans to shop with my sister, catch up on favorite TV shows with my dad and my mom and I are hair salon bound the day I get home.

2. Catching up with old friends. My two closest friends go to a different school and while we try to see each other during the semester, somehow our schedules never seem to align. I use my week home for Thanksgiving to spend time with people I love. 

3. Going shopping on Black Friday. For those of you that don't know, the shopping in Statesboro is essentially obsolete. I can't wait to take advantage of my mall back home to find a dress or two for winter date nights and a few comfy power outfits for finals.

4. Eating all the incredible food. It's Thanksgiving. Enough said. 

5. Saying no to school work. Now unfortunately, I will have to do a little bit of studying for finals but I am looking forward to vegging out instead of blistering my fingers in the library. Hello Netflix, here I come. 

Sisters Helping Sisters: Academics

“Which professor is better?” “Did you enjoy this class?” Ah, yes. It’s registration time on college campuses all across the country. This is one of those times that makes me glad I joined a sorority. If it wasn’t for the advice of one of my sisters I never would have taken the economics class that made me declare a double major. Registration advice is just one of the many ways we can help our sisters succeed academically.

Setting up a mentor/mentee program within the house can help younger members connect to older members as well as help everyone with school. This can be a formal system or just informal pairings that people make themselves. My chapter assigns each new member to an upperclassman who has the same major as them. That way you have a go to person for academic help.

Listening to your sisters talk about their work load can help you find out if someone is struggling. Most people have a hard time admitting when they are in over their head. If you notice that a sister is constantly stressed and disappointed when she gets assignments back, it might be time to talk to her. You don’t want to make her feel attacked or reprimanded. Make sure she knows you care about her and that you just want the best for her. Suggest some on-campus resources or study dates to let her know you support her. And if you are the one in over your head, don’t be afraid to ask for help, whether it’s from a sister or your teacher.

As college women, we are here first and foremost to get an education. There’s a delicate balance between work and play that even many seniors still haven’t quite mastered. When you notice that you or one of yours sisters is dabbling a little too much in the play realm and not enough in the library, it might be time to intervene. Some people might just need a little warning to get back on track. Occasionally, though, you’ll come across a sister that needs a little more help. Some suggested ways to help are to increase their required study hours or to ban them from certain sorority social events until they can figure out their academic life.  

Academics can be a very personal issue for some people, so tread with respect and love when confronting someone you think is struggling. Every sorority values academics. Let your sisters know you do too by preforming to your fullest potential and helping your sisters to do the same. 

Semi Formal Fashion

As we approach semi formal and winter formal season, we begin the ever constant struggle of finding the perfect dress. First of all, no matter how much you love the concept of a new dress for every event, shop your closet and closets of sisters before you go drop $100 on a new dress that you will wear for a few hours at the most.

This velvet green dress will not only keep you warm as you dance the night away but also won't break the bank at $15.90 from Forever 21. Style it with black booties and silver or gold accessories. 

This blue lace dress is fun, flirty and perfect to style up or down depending on how formal your semi is! For $29.95 from H&M, you get a lot of bang for your buck! Style it with some awesome pumps and big earrings.

This cute black dress is perfect for a less formal evening. Style it with some black tights to keep warm during a colder season, For $29.98 from Body Central, you can also save some money instead of dropping all your savings. Plus this is perfect to wear again! 

This classy little number is perfect for when you don't know what to expect at a Semi Formal event. If you know alumni will be there, this screams I can have fun but also can be a grown up. Reuse this dress for Christmas Eve with your grandparents! It's a little bit of a splurge for $58 from Francescas. 

Send us your semi formal pictures to show us what you end up wearing and we will feature you on Instagram! 

A Day in the Life // Photo Blog

It might just be me but I have always had a fascination of seeing how other people go about their day. It may be the psychology major in me coming out, who knows!?



8 am

Good Morning! My alarm clock is set for 7:30 am which is when I get up, open my blinds, turn on the lights, and get back into bed until 8. 

9 am 

I am off to my first class of the day! I walk to the bus stop and catch a ride to campus.

10 am 

Halfway through biology... I can do it...

11 am 

Biology is over and I make my trek across campus to my health class. Thankfully health is only fifty minutes long!

12 pm 

I am done with my first set of classes for the day! It is time to head home and eat lunch! Today was soup and I also boiled eggs for tomorrow's breakfast! I typically watch some TV during my lunch break as well to give myself a break from school.

1 pm 

I am back at the school work grind. In this picture I was actually finishing up a last minute assignment... oops.

2 pm 

Time to head to the library to print off my paper before class! (but not without my afternoon coffee, of course)

3 pm 

It is time for composition!

4 pm

... still in composition

5 pm 

Composition is over which means I am moving on to American Government...

6 pm 

I am done with classes for the day. It is time to return to my apartment and eat dinner. I had spaghetti, veggies, and fruit for dinner tonight!

7 pm

It is time to relax! I love to light a candle and indulge in chocolate while browsing my favorite blogs or writing for Sisterhood Redefined!

8 pm 

While typing, I noticed my nails were chipping so I took some time to give myself a manicure! I truly believe that having your nails painted can completely change your attitude!

9 pm 

Taking time to record my grades for the semester and study some for my future tests! 

After 9 pm, I took a shower, got cozy in my PJs, and read for about an hour. Then I went to sleep to prepare to do it all over again!

What's your routine?!