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. 

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!