From Sororities to Syllabi: Getting Straight A’s All Across the Board the CL Way

With winter break over, the countdown to spring recruitment starts now! While it may seem far off for some of you, it never hurts to take the initiative to prepare for the busy weeks ahead. While recruitment is a crucial time for every chapter, sometimes we forget that we’re students first! Whether you’re learning new songs or perhaps understanding the hang of things on the other side of the process – grab a pen and jot these tips down. A classy College Lifestyles co-ed maintains confidence in all endeavors when it comes to supporting the Panhellenic community or cracking down on the books!

Check your syllabus! There’s nothing worse than coming home from a day spent clapping away to the tunes of Anchors and Sisters only to realize you have a 7 page paper due – trust me! One way to ensure that your night isn’t riddled with never-ending coffee cups or empty Red Bull cans, check your syllabus at least a week in advance. Not only will you be one step ahead of the game, but turning this into a permanent habit will lead to more rest and a healthier lifestyle as well!

Pack a study bag. Now that recruitment practice is done for the night, rather than waste precious time running back and forth from your chapter to your apartment back to the library – bring a pack with you! Before you leave for the day, grab a bag or backpack and bring the following essentials: snacks, bottled water, a comfortable change of clothes, textbooks, laptop, chargers for your phone AND computer, and a pair of earphones! And don’t forget that one essential that won’t fit in your bag – a friend. Nothing keeps you motivated like a good study buddy that’s also determined to get work done.

Get some sleep! During this time of the year, sororities are working endlessly to ensure that Spring Recruitment will run smoothly and successfully. While you’re putting in all the hours and hard work to bring in a great, classy, and sassy new member class – don’t forget about yourself! While we’ve all pulled the classic all-nighter here and there (Hello Finals Week!), putting off sleep for an entire week or longer is not healthy! Eight hours is the recommended hours of sleep we should all be getting everyday for a reason! Help yourself get back on track and schedule your time efficiently.

Speak up. If you know this week is going to be hectic, don’t be afraid to turn to your teacher for help. Now, I’m not saying to email your professor to get extension after extension on a paper due this week! However, your professor’s will understand should this not be an every week occurrence. Last year my English professor understood my predicament and had seen through out the semester that I wasn’t a slacker – she allowed me to hand my paper in class, rather than the night before. Not only did I wake up feeling refreshed, but I was also able to write without trying endlessly to keep my eyes open or filling up another coffee pot.

Hand it in early. If you don’t feel comfortable asking your teacher for an extension on a project, paper, or homework – you don’t have to! Instead, incorporate the tips mentioned above and you’ll find that most of the time you’ll be able to hand items in early. Not only will you be lightening the load for the following week, but you’ll also be showing your teacher that you’re prepared and have taken the initiative to get things done.

If you have some go-to tips for classy Greek coeds, don’t hesitate to share with your fellow College Lifestyles readers by commenting above!

Kaitlyn Monteiro is a junior at Syracuse University studying English & Textual Studies and Psychology.  With a Starbucks in hand, you can find her at the local Barnes & Noble updating her Tumblr, buying the latest Glamour, and checking on the Pittsburgh Steeler’s score!

The Dos and Don’ts of Having a Rush Crush

Don’t lie.  You’ve had one.  The girl you see volunteering in class that always looks put together and has a smile on her face.  The freshman you met during orientation that you just clicked with and is getting involved on campus.  Your partner for a class project that you always get along with.  However you know her and whoever she may be, you don’t just want to be her friend…you want to call her your sister!  As school is starting and we all start thinking about recruitment, it’s great to keep your eyes open for girls you want in your chapter, but there is a good way and a bad way to go about having a rush crush.

Here are some of my Dos and Don’ts…

DO creep on her. Yes, it is okay to creep on this girl and get some information about her!  Before you throw her a lettered sweatshirt, make sure that she actually is someone you want wearing your letters and representing you and your organization on campus.  Look through her Facebook and see what kind of things she is interested and involved in.  Keep your ears open for stories.  Just because someone makes a great first impression in class doesn’t always mean she has her life together.  At the same time, though, remember that freshman year is a learning time.  Don’t judge her to quickly for a messy night or some questionable pictures.  Many of your sisters probably had some too before they grew into college life.  Make sure that she has a good heart and the potential to be a productive chapter member.

but DON’T be creepy. Asking this girl invasive questions, randomly showing up and watching her from around the corner in her classes, or staring at her from across the room are not good ways to make an impression on your rush crush.  Actually create a friendship with her so you know who she is!  If she sees you as a crazy person who is creepily obsessed with her, she might think twice before joining your chapter.

DO recruit her. Put you and your chapter’s best face forward!  Wear your letters often and really be an example of what your organization is all about.  Don’t complain about going to sorority meetings or functions.  Talk up all the wonderful things that come with being Greek!  When you start conversations about your sisters, things you do together, and how much your relationships with them and your involvement in your sorority life has impacted you, it starts a positive relationship between her and your chapter.

but DON’T dirty rush her.  Always stay Panhellenic!  Do not threaten her to join your chapter instead of another one or break any Panhellenic guidelines for interacting with potential new members.  (If you are questioning whether something is appropriate, be safe and don’t do it).  Do not talk badly about other chapters or members of other chapters with her.  That just makes you look petty.  Talk about the benefits of Greek life, your campus’s philanthropic contributions, how you collaborate with other chapters, and the connections that come with being Greek.  Focus on enticing her to go through recruitment, not just to join your chapter.  You and your sisters will take care of that during the week of recruitment.

DO talk her up to your sisters. Make sure your sisters know who this girl is and why you think she is wonderful!  While you don’t need to have a group Facebook-creeping session (while it does have some benefits…), let your sisters know who to keep an eye out for.  Be specific in why you think she would be a great member of your chapter.  Saying, “I love this girl, she’s so sweet!” doesn’t mean as much as saying, “I think she would be a great asset to our chapter.  She gets involved in class, is put together and classy, and always has a positive attitude.”  Try and use adjectives to succinctly explain why she would be a great sister.

DON’T overreact on Preference Night/Bid Day. If you get the chance to talk to this girl on Preference Night, try not to overreact.  While it is great to tell her why you think she is so wonderful and why you want her to join your sisterhood, there is a line between being complimentary and fawning all over her.  Again, please don’t be creepy.  Whether or not your rush crush becomes your sister, behave yourself on Bid Day!  If she joins another chapter, congratulate her on becoming Greek and finding a place where she feels comfortable.  That is really what recruitment is about.  If she is your sister, congratulations!  However, don’t monopolize her time on Bid Day.  That is a time for her to get to know all of her new sisters, not just you.  Try not to talk about how you were in love with her all the time.  Tell her you’re so glad to be sisters, but going on and on about it can get annoying and makes you overlook your other new sisters!  You have a fantastic new pledge class, make sure they all know it!

As my sisters can attest, I have had at least one rush crush in every recruitment that I have been through.  Some of them have become my sisters, and some of them have not, but it is exciting to see what happens throughout the week of recruitment!  While I have not always been a prime example of how to not be creepy and weird about my rush crushes, those girls know I love them and I am so happy they went through recruitment.  Focus on being a good friend or even just a friendly face on campus to girls you want to call your sisters, and the rest of it will fall into place.

Happy recruiting!

Karen Woods is a recent graduate of Millikin University and a proud member of Delta Delta Delta.  She is so sad that she be missing the most wonderful time of the year, recruitment!, but is so excited to see the new fall additions to the Delta Epsilon chapter!

Dos and Don’ts While Going Through Recruitment

Going through recruitment can be a scary thing since you’ve never done it before. Don’t be worried though, it so much fun! Just think by the end of the week you could be going to Bid Day with all of your new sisters! Here are a few tips to help you get ready for the week and to get through the week of recruitment.

Do: Plan a relaxing day! Since recruitment can be stressful, just because it is a new experience; plan a day for yourself! Do something you enjoy! Maybe get your hair and nails done? Maybe go to the local bookstore and grab some coffee. Whatever you enjoy doing plan a day for that! It will help you not stress over the recruitment process.

 

Do: Plan what you’re going to wear. A fun way to get to know the girls in your dorm would be to go shopping with them to pick out recruitment outfits.

Don’t: Wear uncomfortable shoes. I know different schools do recruitment differently and you may not be walking a lot but, if you’re going to have to walk a lot during recruitment don’t wear uncomfortable shoes; at least on the first two days so that you can save your feet.

 

Don’t: Party.  During recruitment you are going to need all of your energy to be the best you can be and project a good image of yourself. If you’re out partying all night you won’t be able to be your best self. Plus, during recruitment you are going to be exhausted at night after the fun day you’ve had meeting all of the sorority women on campus and learning about Greek life.

Do: Talk yourself up. The ladies want to get to know you better and want to know as much about you as possible within that short period of time. Think about topics you want to hit on before you go to the house so you don’t walk out of the house and say to yourself “I should have told them…”

Don’t:  Bad mouth any sorority. You don’t know what the other girls are feeling about each sorority and you don’t want to hurt their feelings if you talk badly about the sorority they want to call home. Just keep your positive or negative thoughts to yourself. At my school the ladies going through recruitment get a notebook to write down their thoughts after each house. Once you’re Greek you will have respect for all of the sororities

I hope these tips can help you enjoy your recruitment week! You will make many memories during this week and you don’t want them to be that your feet hurt or that you didn’t like your outfit. Hopefully they will involve making lifelong friends!

Check out this classy College Lifestyles post about what every dorm room needs!

Sarah Franklin is a senior at Western Kentucky University and is pumped for recruitment!

Getting the Most Out of Pre-Recruitment Work Week:

Some call the week before formal recruitment work week, polish week, or spirit week; there are many names for this exciting time. I LOVE the week before recruitment, it is a great time to remember your sisterhood, polish up on your sorority facts, and consider why you joined your organization! Here are a few tips on how to make sure you get the most out of your pre-recruitment week.

Be ready to work: If you stay focused during work week you will get more out of recruitment. If you work hard you won’t be concentrated on where you are supposed to stand or what words come next during your door song, you will just know it! More confidence in the background parts of recruitment will help you remember why you are working so hard…to help women join your amazing sorority!! If you stay focused during polish week then you will reap the amazing benefits of recruitment.

Stay positive: Everyone’s emotions are running high and the week can be pretty stressful, it is crucial that you stay positive or you could cause yourself or others to not enjoy the week. Just remember all of your hard work is going to pay off on Bid Day!

Offer a helping hand: Even if you are not the chair or on the committee for a certain day of recruitment you should still offer a helping hand. Remember that it is everyone’s responsibility to recruit! Plus, you might offer a solution to a problem or have a great idea that someone else didn’t think of.

Take a break: This is a great addition to anyone’s work week. You are with your sisters for most of the day working very hard; enjoy your breaks by grabbing a meal with your sisters, take a walk/jog, or hit the gym!  My recruitment chair sets time aside to let anyone who wants to get their nails, tanning, or any grooming done during spirit week so that everyone is looking their best when recruitment starts! Plus if you enjoy getting a mani and pedi this would be a great time to do so

Hopefully these tips will help you enjoy and take in all of the information you’re going to learn during work week. Happy recruiting!

Check out this CL post on recruiting throughout the year!

Sarah Franklin is a senior at Western Kentucky University and is sad this is her last recruitment.

LWD for Sorority Recruitment and your Co-Ed Wardrobe!

Every classy co-ed should own a ‘LWD’ or Little White Dress!  The LWD can be dressed up for a night on the town AND dressed down for a casual date/Saturday afternoon fun.

We found these great LWDs at your local Dillard’s.

• Flatter your figure with this lovely LWD (B.Darlin V-Neck Dress).  Offering a wide waist band, this dress flatters all curvy ladies.  The wide shoulder straps and v-neck offers support for a curvy upper body while cinching the waist to create an hour glass figure.

• Bring out your ‘romantic’ side with this lovely LWD (B. Darlin Flutter-Sleeve Lace Dress).  The lovely lace lighting draping over the shoulders is perfect for ladies who feel a bit concerned with showing arms.

An LWD can be worn again following these simple tips:

1. Casual Saturday – top either dress with a jean jacket, metallic sandles, gold hoops, and plenty of bangles.
2. Brunch – top with pearls, a fitted cardigan, and dressy wedge sandles.
3. Date night – add black tights, black heels, and a great clutch.

Shelly Marie Redmond, MS, RD, LDN is the Executive Director/CEO of College Lifestyles.  She is the proud owner of 2 LWD’s as well as a Tide Pen for any spills.

Good Sports & Greek Games

During the Greek Game season, tensions can run high between different organizations. To try to minimize these tensions and ensure that these games provide fun for Greeks and recruitment tactics for non-Greeks, I have compiled a list of tips I try to play by.

1. Do not criticize any other Greek organizations. Derogatory name calling doesn’t do you or the other organization any good. It makes you look less classy, and who would want to join a Sorority full of classless, catty girls—no one! But then again, who would want to join an organization that people overheard being called names? That may be like an instant stereotype and no one wants that either.

2. Do play fairly! Make sure to play by the rules that your Panhellenic or Interfraternity Councils have set forward. If they say no tackling at football then don’t run full speed at another girl and expect her to catch you! I’ve started watching the ABC Family show, GRΣΣK, and during their Greek Week, Rebecca Logan runs off the field and tackles an onlooker. That is a definite no-no for us common Greeks that don’t have a primetime television show.

3. Keep the cause in mind. While at Clarion our Greek Sing competition is the only event that requires a donation, many schools use Greek Week as a fundraiser for a local charity or organization. Use this as motivation while participating! Just like you would think of getting an A+ on a paper, think of how your small contribution can benefit those around you.

4. Do not sabotage the other opponents. Just like you shouldn’t talk harshly about the other participants, you should also leave their game alone. Don’t shorten their side of the tug-a-rope or make their potato sacks tighter for the sack race. This could not only eliminate you from the games but could greatly affect your approval ratings.

5. SMILE! Smile while you play the game, smile while you walk away from it—winner or loser. Smile at your teammates and at your opponents. This is improve your attitude and your image. And if you can smile in the worst of times (or just after you don’t win dodgeball) it can also improve your character.

With these tips in mind, I hope that you can prove that you don’t have to be the most athletic to win at Greek Games. If you have any other tips leave a comment!

Best of luck and may the most fair Greeks win!

Breanna Griffith is an Intern at College Lifestyles (TM) and just placed second in her Greek Sing Competition!  Go Alpha Sigma Tau!

Informal Recruitment-Are you ready?

For most chapters formal recruitment is finally over.   However, recruitment never stops. Many chapters host informal recruitment events throughout the fall and in the Spring semester. Here are some fun ideas that will get your chapter noticed on campus before you begin recruiting again.

1. Wear letter shirts. Wearing letters to class and around campus shows non-greek students how proud you are of your sorority.  If your entire chapter wears them on the same day it is a great way to be noticed across campus.

2. Have lunch gatherings on campus. Decide on a time and have as many chapter members as possible all meet and eat together.  Ask chapter members to bring along potential new members. This is a very informal way to meet people and the potential  new member won’t feel as overwhelmed.

3. Use facebook. Everyone checks facebook more times each day than they would like to admit. Encourage your chapter members to post positive things about activites your doing or why they love being at ___. As people see these they will soon be asking how they can join.

Have more ideas, email us at interns@collegelifestyles.org

SaraP is an intern at College Lifestyles who loves wearing letter shirts and eating with her sisters on campus.

You Had Me at Hello!

To be honest, my first recruitment week was kind of disappointing. Not just because of the crazy busy schedule and the lack of sleep. Overall, I was disappointed in the whole process. I didn’t get to participate like I wanted to, it wasn’t what I expected, and it had me questioning at times my decision to join the sorority in the first place.

However, everyone kept saying throughout the whole week how in the end it would all be worth it; all the tears, the disappointment, the frustration, the lack of sleep, all of it wouldn’t matter by the end of the week. I had my speculations; I didn’t know if I could just forget about all the disappointment and move on. But they were right. The last night, pref night, it was like someone flipped a switch and suddenly nothing else from the previous week mattered anymore. When I looked around the room and my saw my sorority sisters I was reminded of how much I loved them despite it all. When we performed our ceremony, and I looked around the room at my sisters with tears in their eyes,  I couldn’t help but tear up as well. This is the place I’m supposed to be; these are the people who I’m supposed to be with for my four years of college. It was great to be reminded of that unique, very special bond we share.

Bid Day the next morning was even better. Gaining 29 new sisters in one day is so amazing. I was so proud when they were running out to us, in our shirt. I was proud to be an Alpha Chi, proud that these fabulous 29 women chose us because they saw something great in us. It’s a really unique experience, and it’s something really special.

Our Bid Day shirts this year said “You had me at hello” on the back. While this may be a stretch (they didn’t quite have me at just hello!), it was a great reminder of how special our bond is. Later, when we were taking pictures of our class, I looked around at my sisters who joined with me and thought about all that we’ve been through in the past year together. There have been ups and downs and good times and bad, and these are the women who have seen it all. They’ve been there for me when I was sad, and me for them. And that is worth more than words.

These pictures are really special because in the first picture, we hardly knew each other. Most of us had just met hours before. And this year, I can call each one of these girls my sisters and my friends.

Patrice is an intern with College Lifestyles (TM). She is a journalism major at William Woods University and is a member of Alpha Chi Omega.

“Love the people who treat you right, forget about the ones who don’t, and believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said that it’d be easy, they just promised it’d be worth it.”

To all the nervous newbies: Advice from a college graduate.

Four years of mixed emotions, new experiences, lessons learned …

First for some brief background:

Fall 2005 seems so long ago, but I remember exactly how I was feeling when I moved on to the William Paterson University campus.  It was a season for a lot of firsts; first time on my own, first time with a roommate, first time only relying on myself to wake up for classes, etc.  I was nervous, excited, apprehensive, unsure, and pretty much every other descriptive term for emotions you can find in the dictionary.  I unloaded my car, set up my room, went out to eat with my parents, and then said our goodbyes.  When I got back to school, I walked down the hall, up the stairs, and into my room – and thought to myself, “what do I do now?”

Piece of advice # 1:

Everyone that is there for the first time is going through these feelings!  Don’t think you’re alone, in fact, use this to make some friends.  Use those nervous butterflies in your stomach, and turn them into social butterflies!

I lucked out with my roommate, Joelle.  We had met at freshman orientation, and pretty much decided we were meant to be roommates.  We wore the same size clothes, used the same hair products, and had extremely similar tastes in a lot of different things.  When Joelle showed up with her stuff (and, there was a ton of it!), I felt a little relieved that I had someone there to ride the emotional roller coaster with me.

There was a lot to figure out … things like, what the heck does my schedule mean? Where is this building located? Am I going to get there in time? Will I make friends in my classes?  What do you wear to the first day of class? …And most importantly… how the heck am I going to wake up for my 8 a.m, Friday class?!

Piece of advice # 2:

Surround yourselves with amazing people.  The people you get involved with are the people that will help you make or break your college career.  Make great friends who you know will do nothing but be there for you, whenever you need them.  Your college friends, the people you are living with, sort of become like family.

I met an extremely awesome group of friends my first week of school, all of which made my college career a perfect one.  I met Rac (whose name is really Chris, but he was a Resident Assistant so, therefore he was dubbed R.A.C), Coop, Matt, Billy, and Dave (Numbers).  They became my best friends, and introduced me to Hermen, Carlos, Chrissy, Heather, and pretty much everyone else I knew for the first half of my freshman year.  They showed me around, helped me figure out what to, and what not to eat in the dining hall, gave me the ins and the outs of Willy P, and basically became my life lines for anything and everything… Because of these friends, I got involved in the William Paterson Dance Team, learned how to make the best schedules ever, became a Resident Assistant, and  got involved in every aspect of school.

Piece of advice # 3:

Get yourself involved with anything and everything you are interested in.  The more things you do, the more people you meet, and the more fun you have!

My second semester, freshman year, I did something I never thought I would do.  I pledged a sorority.  My motto now is “never say never”. At my freshman orientation, before school had even started, I met an orientation leader named Faith.  Now, at that time all I thought was that she was fun, energetic, and just an all around cool person … little did I know she would be the person who would change my life the most throughout college.  Faith was an orientation leader, in SGA, involved with the Greek Senate, president of her sorority, and everyone on campus knew her.  She was friendly, smart, and involved… you really can’t find a better role model.  Faith eventually talked to me about coming out to recruitment – and I gave in.  I went out, and met the girls who today I refer to as my family.  It wasn’t the catty, ridiculousness that TV portrayed … and I liked it.  At the time of recruitment I was president of the dance team, applying to be an R.A, and looking to get myself out there and do something new.  Spring of 2006, I became a sister of Alpha Sigma Tau National Sorority.  My big sister, Katelyn, was a huge inspiration to me …. she would help me through anything, and I looked up to her… not only because she was hard working, and all around amazing, but also because the whole sorority looked up to her.  I wanted to be that, I wanted to help my sorority the way she did.  I pushed to be the best sister I could be.  I was Assistant New Member Director (a class of 7) , New Member Director (a class of 5) , got my little sister, and eventually became President.  My sisters always have been, and always will be a HUGE part of my life …. all because I decided to try something new, something I never thought I would do.  The sisters before me (Faith… Kate…. and so many more), inspired me to be a better, more hard working person.  Surround yourselves with those people!

Although this has been mildly long winded, I hope you all take this entry and run with it.  Sure, college can be intimidating, but the most important thing that I hope you all take from this entry is this:

Live it up, give it your all, try new things, and open your eyes.  College really can be the best 4 years of your life.  Surround yourself with great people, experience all that you can,  and you’ll come out on top …. promise!

Kristin Marie is a recent graduate from William Paterson University, a College Lifestyles (TM) intern, a sister of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority, and just recently became employed by  Special Olympics New Jersey!

2 Great LWDs (Little White Dress) for Sorority Recruitment!

Many of us know of the LBD – Little Black Dress; but how many of us have a LWD – Little White Dress? Ask any sorority sister and most will say this is a staple in their closet.

Many of us ‘frown‘ at the thought of a LWD.  If you are like me, the main fear is the ‘fear of spilling something/anything’ on a LWD.  Others are concerned weight and often think that white will make one ‘look bigger.’

Not true!  An all white dress can be quite flattering if the fit is correct!

Perfect fit for an LWD:

1.  Fits at the waist (creates an hourglass shape).

2.  If you are looking to conseal a tummy, look for an empire waist (under the chest).

3.  A-line style skirt (slight flare from the hips) is universally flattering.

4.  Lenght should be just above the knee are at the knee.

Choice #1 – Jessica Howard from Dillards, $48.00

Choice #2 – Fashion Junkee (www.fashionjunkee.com), $36.00

How to wear an LWD again?

1.  Casual – top with a denim jacket, gold hoops, and metallic sandals.

2.  Date night – wear with metallic heals, animal print clutch, gold bangles.

3.  Winter – wear with black tights, black boots or black booties, black turtleneck under dress.

4.  Fall – wear with a denim jacket, wine or dark green tights, flat boots, scarf.

Do I have an LWD?  You bet!  Do I carry around a Tide Pen?  Yes!

Shelly A Marie, MS, RD, LDN is the Executive Director of College Lifestyles(TM).  She is the proud owner of a LWD and LBD, as well as 6 Tide Pens!

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