Balancing time between greek organization and another campus organization.

[kavuhiker]

i am a freshman here at my university. i have become activley involved in a campus organization here, and i am enjoying it and benifitting from it. however, i really want to join a fraternity as well. i went through fall rush and got to know two fraternities well, but i was not ready to commit. i know that during pledgeship most of my time outside of class will be given to the fraternity.

how are any of you able to find a balance between your fraternity or sorority and another organization.

thanks.

[REE1993]

First, look at the brothers in the fraternity(ies). Are they active in other activities?

As an alum, I highly suggest that if you pledge (I am biased, I say go Greek), balance it with other activities. For me, I was not only an officer in my sorority, but also one of the editors/reporter for the newspaper, a student government officer, an orienation leader, and on Program Council. In addition, I did 3-5 service hours a week.

What I found helpful is finding activities that required my performance/attendence on different days. For example, Tuesday night was chapter meeting night, Wednesday was the night before our paper was published, etc. Although I was in several acitivities, I always devoted 1-2 hours a day for quiet studying/homework, one evening a week for projects/papers, and one weekend afternoon for catching up on reading.

Remember that your classes are priority #1. Only join activities that you will A. enjoy, B. gain something beneficial from (experience, goodwill, etc.). Commit to only those things that you know you can fulfill. It is better to throw yourself into a few things whole-heartedly than to promise yourself and have to bow out.

I am not sure if you would have to live in a House; I did not (no houses on my campus), but it is possible. Any GLO worth their weight will encourage you to keep your grades up and become a well-rounded young man. Pledgeship or member-in-training time may initially take a little extra time, but it can be done gracefully. Millions of us have done it, and even graduated with honors!

Balance is key.
Sisterly,
Ree