Time 4 rush and/or pledging?
 

I need advice on my fall rush/pledge situation. I'm transfering to Cal State Northridge this coming fall so everything will be kinda new. Hopefully, if the classes I want aren't full, I'll be going to school Tues & Thurs with 4 classes (13 units- 9:30-2:50). I also will be probably working 15 hours a week. I plan to rush and hopefully pledge. Is it advisable to do so? Do you think compacting all my 4 classes into T&Th days is smart or not?
Sorority meetings at my school are on Mondays. I'm worried about making it through the semester passing all my classes, keeping my job and pledging. Any advice...or experiences that can help me? Are sororities as bad as fraternity rush in which I most likely won't have a lot of time on my hands??

oh yeah...and I know this varies from school to school, but what are the usual times or days that I might need free (M-Sun... Afternoons, nights...etc) for a sorority

In my sorority meetings are Mondays, study tables thursday, sisterhoods(once a month or so) on Wed, Socials on thursdays, Sat- philanthropys- maybe once a month if that, and Sun for 6 weeks is when the new girls take pledge class- this is where they learn all about the house. Let me tell you - taking 13 credits and work is nothing. you can attend stuff -rush. I took 12 credits my first semester bc I tested out of classes and it was too late to add any more. 2nd semester I took 18 credits, worked, was a dj for my school radio and still made it to socials etc plus my GPA was higher. First semester I was on academic probation. I think the more you do(at least for me) the harder I work. Plus being on academic probation in my house embarressed me and I knew i never wanted that to happen again. This fall i am taking 18 credits and most are M-W-F with one class on Tue/thurs. you should have no problem.

Most girls in my chapter take a full course load and they work. I myself limit work to 5-10 hr/wk but others work as many as 25hrs. These along with the sorority work out fine. Sure there are occasions when a sister must miss an event because of class or an exam the next day, but i think most sororities realize this, since after all you are at school to learn, and some of us wouldn't be here without our jobs.

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Delta Epsilon -
Phi Sigma Sigma

I guess I would have to say that it depends on what type of person you are. if having a busy schedule of classes, work, pledging will make you realize how valuable your free time is and help you get your work done - then i say totally go for it, being part of the greek life on campus will only enhance your college experience. if youre a little worried about keeping your grades up and working 15 hours a week maybe put off rush until 2nd semester? But honestly - most people i know are in the same situation you and I are in - and it worked out just fine for me last semester when i pleged DZ, worked about 10 hours a week and kept my grades up. So good luck and keep us updated!

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"Behold the turtle, for he only makes progress when he sticks his neck out"
- Former Delta Zeta President Betty Heusch Agler (Xi Chapter)

You can totally do it! The majority of my sisters work, go full time, are involved on campus, etc. I'm the New Member Educator for my chapter and one thing I stress to our new girls is *Time Management*. Sometimes they get overwhelmed but I have to tell them that they need to manage their time and they'll be fine. Its easier if you have a routine, you can adjust and handle it better. Buy a planner and it'll keep you in order http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif. I promise its not impossible. I did all that and commuted (30 min drive) my first year. Its well worth it also. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

you can do it! Your chapter wants you to succeed as much as you do! I for one tried to do the Tuesday/Thursday thing as much as possible. Taht was it seems as though you actually have MORE time because you have FIVE non-school days a week! It's great! I totally suggest it!

depending on your school and chapter, pledging a sorority may not be a big time commitment AT ALL. i spent about 2 hrs a week (total) attending pledge meetings and chapter. pledges were invited to all the mixers and service events, but attendance was optional. the only big chunks of time that were required were bid night (when there was a sleepover) and initiation day (which can go all afternoon).

this is a different story from what my male friends went through pledging fraternities. they were essentially "on-call" 24-7, and practically every evening they had study hours or various hazing activities. their grades tended to drop a lot during their pledge semester because they really had practically no free time. these guys might want to keep their work-study jobs during pledgeship just so they have an excuse not to be at the house.

about scheduling all your classes for tues/thurs... i would think it would be a real pain to have class for five hours straight, but maybe it's ideal for you. what if you have three tests one tuesday? or two papers due on the same day? it's really easy to get lazy when you have four days off in a row, so be careful that you're actually studying on mon/wed/fri, not just sleeping in and watching daytime tv.

[This message has been edited by twinstars (edited August 01, 2001).]

This all depends on how the chapter you select runs pledging. We had activities nearly every night of the week, and all day on Saturday. We had study hours for two hours every night as well. With 18 credits and working 20 hours a week, it was hard, but it was well worth every second!!

I think you'll be able to do it. My pledgeship was a little hectic, but it wasn't too bad. We had weekly meetings (and we tried to schedule them around everyone's personal schedule.) and all house meetings plus other occasional stuff we had to do as a group. Plus pledgeship doesn't last too long, and I know at my house things settled down after initiation. I also have two sisters who took 18 credit hours AND worked way too many hours. LOL. They would miss chapter from time to time, but the house is accomodating. Your sisters will be supportive and will do the best they can to help you out. I say at least give it a shot! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

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If the angels up above
Could hear us sing our song to you
They'd see that in our hearts
We're Pi Phi's from the start

In reading these post, I am amazed! While I may be an Old Fart, I did 18 hrs per semester found time to start a Fraternity and party. We had our meetings on Tues Night, now Sun. night as there are night classes which were not done in the dark ages of my time!
There were NO computers, we did pencil and tablets, Big Chief of course!
One can be a turtle and not join anything but for the rest or you life, you will not have the comeraderie of being with your fellow Brothers or Sisters.
My Senior last sem. I had a 3.89. Thank god as I Graduated with a 2.000865! Shades of Animal House! LOL I was a Business Major by the by!
Lose not now as you will lose for a life time!



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Tom Earp LX Z#1
Pittsburg State U. (Kansas)