Hell, the semester I PLEDGED, resulted in my highest GPA ever! That's because my process was so structured and demanding, that I had no choice but to exercise time management and discipline! There was no room for procrastination or half-steppin! If the paper was due in 4 weeks, I wouldn't wait to do it-- I did is ASAP to get it out of the way! My LSs and I had copies of each other's syllabi so that we KNEW who had to do what and when. We'd encourage each other to get it done, so that we wouldn't be distracted or mentally preoccupied when we were doing DST stuff. Also, my Bigs checked up on our classroom attendance by requiring us to get our prof's signatures EVERYDAY! There was NO class-skipping for us--that was UNACCEPTABLE! I had my best attendance that sememster, too! I spent more time studying (in our special "study room") than I'd ever done before because, as any Delta knows, the "academic" aspect of DST's process is like taking a grad course! Before I made line (and the sememster after I'd crossed), I'd chill between classes, take mid-day naps, play on the computer, etc.
Then, by mid-terms and finals, I'd be running around like a chicken with my head cut off, trying to complete papers and study for exams. If you're undergoing a GOOD PLEDGESHIP, you will be too disciplined and focused for that kind of behavior. So, pledging for me meant being on top of my game and handling all my academic business ASAP. That's what enabled me to do so well academically. Yes, I was barely awake in class from pulling all-nighters, but all my work got done. So, by the time things started heating up, my most time-consuming class projects were already finished! Too bad I wasn't still pledging during my last 3 quarters--I would have graduated magna cum laude!
And I'm Out!