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!

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!

The Happy and Healthy Series: Eating Healthy on a Budget

It’s hard to get into healthy habits especially in college but it doesn’t have to be! From motivation to making it budget friendly. Here at Sisterhood Redefined, we want to help! Each month you’ll get a post about how to be healthy in a college environment from eating to working out to managing negative stress.

This month is all about eating healthy on a college budget!

The first thing I notice myself spending money on while I’m on campus is snacks. Snacks that are really not good for me. You also lose a lot of money buying a coke and a bag of chips out of a vending machine. Carry a water bottle with you onto campus so you can refill it in free water fountains when you are thirsty. I usually drink a cup of coffee on my way to campus so I put it in a tumbler with a straw that way I can refill that with water! The next thing is avoiding vending machine snacks. Eating before you come on to campus is the easiest way to not spend a dollar on a bag of chips. Second bring snacks from home if you will need something else to eat! Carrot sticks or Honey Nut Cheerios are easy snacks that will be ok if you have them in your bag all morning. If you have to buy food from on campus, grab a side salad or a side of veggies at one of the on campus restaurants –this way you are eating more filling and all around better for you things and are only spending a dollar or two more.  

The next thing to work on is your grocery lists! Note that I said list. The biggest cause of overspending is not following a list and just picking up what you decide that you want at the time. Preplan your meals at the beginning of the week and look through your pantry to see what you already have. Sandwiches (while unexciting) are easy, healthy and customizable depending on what you have in your pantry. Eggs are another healthy and quick meal.

As far as meal ideas go, check out our Pinterest board, recipes! We have tons of ideas for what is doable in a college apartment and on a college budget for one people or for a party!

If you have any requests for what to see in this series, email sisterhoodredefined@gmail.com! I hope you have a happy and healthy month!  


Author's Note: This article was written by Sonia. She just forgot to upload it from her own account! 

Start the Semester Strong

Well first semester has come and gone and we are officially done with those classes - thank goodness! I know one of the biggest goals for this semester for many people is to maintain grades better than we did last semester. I have a few tips for to help kick off the semester!

During the first week of classes, go ahead a print off your syllabi for the semester and mark all of the important dates that your teacher gives you or really any dates your teacher gives you into your planner. Don't have a calendar? Utilize the calendar associated with your school's email address.

Bookmark the websites you will use most in the semester for completing school work and un-bookmark sites like Pinterest and Facebook. If nothing else, this helps you stop procrastinating by reminding you of homework regardless of the temptation of other internet sites.

Look at your class schedule and figure out where you have breaks to make it to the library to study. When you make the habit of heading to the library now, it makes it so much easier to wander that way when you feel unmotivated to get there.

Good luck in your classes! What are you taking this semester?

A Few Things to Remember in 2015

Each new year, we set resolutions to make ourselves better. Each new year, we strive to be healthy or to study more. Each new year, we often forget a few things that stress us out in our resolutions. Here are 6 things to remember with your New Year's resolutions.

1. A cupcake won't break your diet goals. Nor will that slice of pizza you are craving nor the candy bar that you throw into your basket at the grocery store. Eat that cupcake! Treat yo self!

2. One bad grade doesn't make you a bad student. Make up for it next time by studying extra hard for your next test and make sure to get all of your other assignments in on time!

3. Looking perfect everyday is impossible and striving for that isn't worth it. Instead shoot for being pulled together when you need to be pulled together and as long as sweatpants only make their appearance every once in a while you're okay.

4. You will go over budget. It's fine. Cut back and adapt accordingly when you do. Try to avoid going over by limiting how often you eat out and if you won't ever wear something you bought out with friends, return it!

5. Sometimes it's hard to spend more time with family when you are away at school. Try scheduling 2 weekly phone dates with your family.

6. Being less stressed is a ridiculous mission that you will fail at! Volunteer or find other ways to relax that you can incorporate into your schedule. Goals like this are way easier to make happen!

Accept that everyone makes mistakes and that it's not that serious if you don't maintain all of your resolutions!

Leave a comment with your thoughts! 

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!

Thanksgiving Traditions

The countdown is on! There is a week left until Thanksgiving Day and even less until Thanksgiving break. With up to a week off to engage in many fun activities it is also a time to revisit those traditions from your younger years. You can even start some new traditions with your family and friends this year!

Whether it’s cooking a random dish from Pinterest or playing “Bingo” while watching the parade these fun traditions will keep you entertained for years to come!

1. Have a skype date with your college friends and sisters! It is likely that you are home for Thanksgiving so set a date with your sisters to reunite!

2. Place bets on which relative will fall asleep first after lunch!

3. Play board games - Try to find a lively board game such as Apples to Apples or an obscene one like Cards Against Humanity and invite the whole family to play. 

4. Cook a "non-Thanksgiving" food to serve - Who says you can't have french fries with turkey?

5. Cook a new recipe - Pinterest is a wonderful place to find new recipes, pick one at random and try it out for Thanksgiving dinner!

6. Make Christmas Cards - After you have finished Thanksgiving dinner it is officially Christmas season! Gather the family and make Christmas cards for your local nursing home or children's center!

7. Wake up at 3 am to go Black Friday shopping the day after Thanksgiving.

8. Travel if you are able to and visit a new place. This is best to do a day or two before Thanksgiving!

9. Parade Bingo - This is a simple game that can be played annually while watching you favorite Thanksgiving Day parade! Make player cards with things such as a girl wearing a red scarf or a wrongly sung lyric and fill them in when you see the corresponding item in the parade!

10. Make fun crafts with the whole family! Browse Pinterest for fun crafts and pick up some supplies to get the whole family involved! Maybe make some Christmas decorations to put up?

What are your favorite Thanksgiving traditions?

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?!

Beyond the Leggings

No one warned me that joining a sorority would mean that my entire wardrobe would double from t-shirts alone. I have so many sorority t-shirts that I have to devote an entire drawer exclusively to them. The problem with having this many t-shirts, though, is that I tend to get into and leggings and t-shirt rut mid-way through the semester. It’s an easy go-to outfit and the shirts are just so cute I can’t bear to not wear them. If you’re anything like me, you’re dying to step up your wardrobe. Here are a few tips on how to wear your plethora of sorority t-shirts in a new way.

Add a skirt…

Skirts are just as easy to put on as a pair of leggings. By tucking your latest philanthropy shirt into a cute skirt, you are showing the entire world that you’re proud of your sorority and that you can actually look like a put together adult. As the weather gets colder, opt for wool skirts and/or tights. Pick a skirt that fits your style, whether that is a classic black skirt or a more funky floral skirt. If you’re really feeling ambitious, go ahead and add a statement necklace.

Funky Skirt

Layer under a jacket…

It’s easy to throw on a sweatshirt of a fleece, but why not elevate your style a little bit. Adding a cool leather jacket or a cozy sweater is the perfect wardrobe decision in the fall. Cardigans can class up your favorite new bid day shirt, especially when paired with a bright pair of pants or well-fitting jeans.

Cozy Sweater

Buy something new…

If you’re looking to buy some new sorority apparel, you’ll be surprised by how many unique options there are these days. Why buy another boring t-shirt when you can have a vest, a button down, or even a cute tote bag. You can add your letters to almost anything these days. Get creative! Watch heads turn when you walk into chapter with your brand new cardigan embroidered with your sorority crest.

Chic Vest

Moving into Midterms

                         

As we move into fall we also move into one if the most miserable times in a college students semester. Midterms. These tests can be really easy or absolutely dreadful depending on the class so we have compiled a list of study tips to help ease your stress and help you prepare for your tests.

                                 

1. Review and rewrite your notes only this time write the most concise and most important points and lose the rest. See how small of a section of paper you can get your notes on. When you get rid of the fluff you will have a list of concepts that if you understand, you can figure out everything else. 

2. Make flash cards with vocabulary and concepts. Keeping these handy can enable you to study when you have five minutes on the bus or before class starts. 

3. Utilize practice tests. Review the questions and even make flash cards with the question on one side and the answer in the other. Use the wrong answer choices and write out on your test why they are wrong. You can even make more practice questions with the wrong answer. 

4. Take breaks so you don't overwhelm yourself. For every hour, take a 5-10 minute break. Stretch, check social media, walk around, anything to keep you free for a few minutes. 

5. Study in advance. When you start a week or even two weeks early it will be way easier to break your studying into chunks and you won't feel as stressed. 

One of the beautiful things about college is that you know exactly when you have tests from the beginning of the semester. It allows you to plan in advance. 

Take a breath and good luck on midterms! 

                                       

How To: Meet People Outside Of Your Sorority

I love every single one of my Kappa Alpha Theta sisters, but they’re not the only people in my life. As wonderful as your sorority sisters are, you can’t make it through college unless you expand your social circle a little bit. Whether you are a freshman or a senior, it’s never too late to make new friends. It might sound difficult (or even terrifying if you’re an introvert like me), but trust me when I say it is worth it. Here are a few tips that might help you meet new people:

• Get involved: You’ll never meet new people if you only ever do sorority activities. Some of my best friends are my teammates on my rowing team. You don’t need to join a sport to get involved outside of your chapter, but you should try to join at least one club or organization. When you find a club that matches your interest, then you’ll be sure to find people who have something in common with you.
• Meet the Greeks: I know, I know, your sisters are the best house on campus. But there are other amazing sorority women and fraternity men on your campus too. Try to get to know some of them as well. Whether it’s through all-Greek events, Panhellenic events, or other things, these friends can become something very special to you. I have friends in all the sororities on campus. Going to Panhellenic events is a lot more fun when you know some familiar faces will be there.
• Study buddies: Friends in your major are an invaluable resource. Who else do you expect to get notes from when you’re sick? Start by talking to the people in your class or forming study groups with them. You can even join an organization or honor society specific to your major. You’re going to have a lot of classes with these people over our four years in college and they will be the people you sit with at graduation. Best to learn their names now and not as you’re hearing them be called to walk across the stage.

How To Balance School Life and Home Life

Being away at school can be a really tough transition to have to make. Every year I go back to school I know that I have problems adjusting to being back at school and without my parents. There are ways to balance homesickness though and I want to share a few tips with you.

1. Don't make it a point to go home weekly: A little bit of homesickness never hurt anyone. Sometimes it hurts just as much to keep re-opening the wound. You can never get seriously adjusted to your college campus if you are breaking to go home every weekend. It's great to take some time and see your friends and family back home, but also remember that you are trying to make new friends at school too.

2. Do things: It's easy to get homesick when you are stuck in your room all day and not actually doing anything of value. Get involved on campus, have dinner with your roommate, go to a party if you have to, get out of your room and do something fun. Homesickness will come if you are not supressing it with activity.

3. Realize you aren't alone: You are by far not the first person to ever feel homesickness, nor will you be the last. I am almost certain that you have a friend or two that is feeling the same level of sadness as you for their friends and families back home. Instead of suffering silently make sure you are lamenting together.

4. Utilize Skype/Facetime/phone calls: You have wonderful devices that can connect you to your parents and friends. Use them, but don't overuse them. Dedicate some time daily, weekly, whatever to calling your family and friends back home. Don't make the mistake and not call them, you want a life, but you still want your family and friends to be a part of it.

I hope these tips have helped you as you fight to balance your school life and your home life this year!