Greek & very involved on campus

[ohdollface]

I went through Spring '06 recruitment and love greek life. But I got a second major, plan on running track next year and got accepted into another club.

I just wanted to know if there are any other Greeks who are in other clubs or doing sports. Is it difficult or stressful? Does it conflict with service projects? ...What has been your experience? And do you have any tips/advice?

Thanks!

[PhoenixAzul]

Aye...it is very stressful. I founded a rowing club on campus, got involved with Phi Eta Sigma and Alpha Lambda Delta and now with Mortarboard, got a job with the campus newspaper (photo editor) and I've got 2 majors and 2 minors and I'm on study abroad right now, plus training for my first marathon and my first Ironman Triathlon.

It can all be a bit much, and the first thing is to prioritize. Thankfully, ALD and PhiEtaSigma didn't require a significant amount of week-to-week commitment like newspaper,crew and training. When I joined Tau Delta, my priorities had to shuffle. Most of our pledge events happened in the evenings, so most of the other stuff was out of the way, but I found myself squeezing things into the little gaps of the day. Instead of a 2 hr run, I did 2 one hour runs a day in between classes. On off days I worked on projects and extended work.

You've also got to realize that you need time for yourself just to do NOTHING. It's great to be dedicated to different organizations, but there's a point where you've got to say NO. And perhaps not take a position in a club, but be a general member...there's no shame in that. I've not taken a major role in my sorority because of this. I don't think I could dedicate 100% to an exec position or fufill it the way I think I could. I still fufill my obligations to the sorority and given 1/2 the chance I take sorority over everything else, but when there's a crisis at the paper, sometimes I 've got to come late to things....it's important to at least ATTEMPT to make a commitment, even if you have to come late. Sometimes appointments overlap, so rather than say "i'm definitely not coming", a "I may be a wee bit late, but I will stop by" is good. Most of the time I end up getting out early and being on time (which is always exciting!).

good luck, and BUY A PLANNER! A PAPER ONE! And chart out your weekly commitments (including class and time for commuting/walking to)

[Tom Earp]

The major conflict will be getting enough Hours to spend with each Organization and not get burn out.

If as You say, You just became a member of Your GLO, then, You will be expected to serve and do with them to be a partner with Your Sisters.

Also, Your Grades are very important as that is supposed to be why you are attending College.

If You can do it, I admire You, but beware of time constraints.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally posted by ohdollface
I went through Spring '06 recruitment and love greek life. But I got a second major, plan on running track next year and got accepted into another club.

I just wanted to know if there are any other Greeks who are in other clubs or doing sports. Is it difficult or stressful? Does it conflict with service projects? ...What has been your experience? And do you have any tips/advice?

Thanks!

Sounds like you have quite a bit on your plate.

Almost everyone on this site is active in something other than his or her Greek organization. They are in a variety of activities, majors, and have jobs.

In addition to Sigma, I'm involved in Kappa Phi Service Club, The Dive (KSU's branch of Campus Crusade), and the club for my major.

My advice:

*Academics are always your first priority. Everything else is secondary.

*Get a planner. Use it.

*Know which events for each group are the MOST important for you to attend. For example, recruitment events are mandatory for my sorority, and service projects for Kappa Phi are mandatory.

*If an event is optional, and you have a mandatory event for another organization, sometimes you just have to skip the optional event. There have been times where I've skipped sisterhoods to go to mandatory Kappa Phi ceremonies.

*Remember that it's ok NOT to be in a leadership role. I've never been on Executive Board, just because I know that once you are on Exec, your priorities are with that group.

[opaldragon]

Time management is key.
I second the planner advice.
And make sure that you can commit to whatever activity it is that you sign up for with whatever organization is sponsoring it. You don't want to be flaking on xyz because you forgot that you committed to abc already.
Also keep in mind that school is the priority because were it not for school, you wouldn't have these other opportunities so give school its due.
And I reiterate, time management is key.

[melsigkap]

It's really hard to do, I have a job, and am heavily involved in 2 other clubs on campus, along with some random service. I like it because I feel like I know so many people, and have so much fun with all of it, but a lot of the time I feel like I don't have a minute to just sit down and chill.

[sdbeta1]

It depends on your majors, and how heavy a course load you have. If you can handle your courseload easily then it shouldn't be a problem. Beware of stretching yourself across so many activities that you won't be able to impact each one fully.

[PiPhiGirl2005]

I was also Greek and incredibly involved in campus. I was on student federation for a while, a member of the cheerleading team for all four years, and coached gymnastics and cheerleading as a part time job. As everyone else has been saying, time management is key, and so is planner use. Good luck!