How To Network With Alumnae

With awesome events like homecoming approaching for many universities it's time to start thinking about alumnae networking, you should also be thinking about this year round as well. Alumnae are an important part of any sorority and they should be valued members that you want to spend time with and appreciate. Today I am going to share a few tips with you on how to make alumnae feel welcome in your sorority and how to feel more comfortable getting to know alumnae.

1. Realize they are just as nervous as you are: Your alumnae don't have super powers where they aren't nervous about being at your event. They are just as nervous as you are to be attending your event. They may be coming alone so they may not know anyone at the event. Some alumnae come from different chapters and they are just shy to be around so many people they don't know. Just like you are nervous to meet them, they are doubly as nervous to meet you. 

2. Start by talking to alumnae in a non-formal setting: It's so much easier to start talking with alumnae if you start small. Maybe send an email to the president of your local alumnae chapter and ask her if she knows of any alumnae with similiar interests to you. Start small and ease your way into getting to know alumnae. A one-on-one dinner with just one alumnae or a Facebook conversation might make it easier for you to jump into talking with multiple alumnae.

3. Introduce yourself: Your alumnae might not remember your name, but a great way to start a conversation is with a handshake; introduction; and smile. You might have a common interest through something you mention like a chair/officer position you hold or held. It might be the thing that gets ya'll talking all afternoon.

4. Make room in your conversation for multiple people: Absorb people into your conversations if you feel that a certain alumnae is being left alone or if you feel a sister needs help having a conversation with alumnae. Tag team your alumnae discussions and form bigger groups, becuase bigger groups mean different conversation topics that can take place. Be aware of your surroundings though just in case your alumnae are uncomfortable with the bigger group of people.

5. Just do it: Nike's slogan really works here. Networking and talking with alumnae is never going to be easy. It's going to be hard to do it, but sometimes you have to just go and do it. It's going to be uncomfortable, but if you just let yourself do it and not second guess yourself you can have some really awesome conversations with your alumnae.

I hope these tips helped you as you begin to have conversations with the alumnae of your sorority. If you just sit and talk with them you can learn so much about your sorority history just by giving your alumnae a few minutes of your time.

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.