I think the pledging period kind of threw me off of my time management. I don't know if this is the way it is in every house, but in the house I pledged last year, you could be as involved as you wanted to while you were pledging. BUT, once you became an active member, you were expected to basically devote three to four nights a week to sorority commitments. After participating in one or maybe two activities a week during pledging period, suddenly I was being told I had to be at all these other functions!
This got to be a bit much, with a full course load and a part-time job. I think the women in the house were pretty understanding about my situation, though. Classes are most definitely emphasized as first priority, and your next priority is supposed to be the house. I think there's some sort of unwritten understanding, though, when it comes to commitments. I'm not going to forego paying rent or studying for a massive midterm because we have a Hawaiian party with the Delts one night, and I know the women in my house understand that. I think as long as you do what you absolutely need to get done and THEN worry about your house commitments, you'll be fine. Some houses are more accepting of that than others, and that's what you'll find out in rush. I'm getting long-winded again... sorry!
Lizzie