It also depends on how your chapter calculates/counts attendance for things. I know for my sorority and chapter we have to attend 85% or more of the mandatory events for us to stay in good standing. If we fell below this for two months, we are put on a sort of probation status. Therefore we had a decent amount of leeway for being able to miss things once in awhile (i.e. too much work one night so you'd skip chapter and just read the minutes) without having any issues. New members follow the same system (although as a NM you do have more mandatory events because of your NM meeting), but again, I can only speak for my sorority and chapter. Most sororities do allow some wiggle room though, because they do understand that collegians are busy women.

Also worth noting is that for some mandatory events you could still receive full points if you told the secretary at least 24 hours in advance. Valid excuses were sickness (which could be given less than 24 hours in advance, obviously since sometimes you wake up sick), any tests or exams, and of course family emergencies, etc. Half points were given for work (since we are always told at least 2 weeks in advance about it), unless we were told less than 2 weeks in advance, in which case work received full points. Things like exam reviews were determined on a case by case basis. But yes, in short, it is completely possible to have a job and be in a sorority, just manage that time well. Your sisters will be understanding, but you need to be responsible too. Best of luck with recruitment.

Many, many college students are working and going to school these days. most of them are great at time management, or are becoming good time managers and time management is the key.

at some point in the present semester the officers in the chapter i advise make up the calendar for the upcoming semester, so girls are very aware of what is going to be when. they realize that some things will be added and that some things will change, but it gives them a good enough idea of when required things are going to occur, that those who have jobs can work with their job supervisor when he/she makes up the work schedules so they do not have to choose between missing work or a mandatory event.

my daughter held one on campus job her sophomore and junior years and two campus jobs her senior year and it worked for her.

I recently got a tablet laptop so I'm using that as my planner. :]

Thanks for the advice. I'm already starting to limit my internet usage (Lol @ how I have youtube open in one tab, and I'm typing this in another).


Thanks! I'll try! Ha ha. How often are chapter meetings? I mean, it probably varies by chapter but.. on average?

Yeah, that's what I need to work on. I never had to do that in high school so it was never an issue (not that I was bad at it, I was actually very good. Did my homework as soon as I got home and was finished before dinner. Then it was "play" time then off to bed.) but now with college and an amazing first job opportunity coming up, I'd really hate to let one ruin the other.

Lol! That's so funny! Looks like great minds think alike, eh?

A. I thought that it would be a great conversation starter as well, I was also just concerned that they might be hesitant to extend a bid to me since I might have to miss some events.
B. Oh, good. :] Nothing worse than having to call out of work so late in the game. ]:

The only problem with working on campus is at my school at least, the hours they give are so minimal. Like, under 10 a week. Living on my own (well, away from the 'rents at least) in an apartment requires more than ten hours a week. ]:

Thank you very much for your kind words of advice. I will remember this when the time comes. :]

Also do remember to pace yourself. Your first semester of college can get hectic since everything is new. So if you join a sorority, maybe make that, work, and school your main three priorities until you feel like you have a stable schedule and aren't feeling too overwhelmed. Then you have time to add in other activities if you'd like without feeling lost. (That's not to say you shouldn't check out clubs on campus, just maybe stay in the shallow end for the first month or two at least). It's worth it to make sure you've found a way to balance activities that keeps you from getting too drained before you start adding new ones.

I know this isn't directly answering your question, but I feel like this would be good to know (if you don't already, not to be patronizing or something)

You know, if an off campus apartment is too burdensome, you could try living in college housing. I know dorms might not seem like the best option (to some people anyways), but they do provide a good option if you can't work as many hours as you need to to pay your rent. The cost of the dorm goes on a student loan (most colleges have a cost of attendance that includes a required housing budget), so might as well take advantage of that so you can fully enjoy campus life. That's just my advice. Also, some campuses have university owned apartments that are also covered by financial aid and loans (that's where I'm living right now!).

It's probably too late for this anyway, but living in a dorm also only gives you 1 room to clean, unless you're lucky enough to have your own bathroom or a suite, which saves time cleaning; you end up eating in the caf, which saves times on cooking and washing dishes; and you're on campus, which saves time commuting. As an added bonus, it makes it easy to meet people on campus right away.

And to add to this, I learned very early on that it takes maybe 10 or 15 minutes a day to keep your room clean, but if you let it go, it takes hours to get it straightened up. Maybe it's my OCD evil twin talking, but I know I feel MUCH less stressed when my room is clean and I know where everything is. If you're going to be leading a hectic life (and believe me, it's hectic), anything you can do to reduce your stress is worth it! Especially if it only takes a few minutes a day!

Dorms/College apartments are actually more expensive than what I'm in right now. I mean, I don't have to cover the entire rent by myself here, like I would in college housing. Trust me, I looked into it. :]

Right, that is good advice that I will take to heart. :]

I was actually thinking that this would be the best way to go since the job I'm looking into actually told me, "The first few months you feel like you are drowning, then after that you start floating no problem."

I think I'll be able to manage school, work, and Greek Life no problem since I am taking some pretty easy classes this semester (to ease myself into college life).

All of this is true, yes. But it all adds up.

Housing: 5,000 minimum
Food: 1,000-2,000
Total: 6,000-7,000

Apartment rent (for entire year): 1,200
Food: 1,000
Travel: 100-1,000
Total: 2,300-3,200

Oh I've gotten the cleaning the house bit down. I clean as I go. While the chicken bakes, wash dishes. While the potatoes cook, clean up after the dog and cat. While the dishwasher goes, run the vacuum. :]

But I agree, a clean house/work space TOTALLY helps de-stress.