not rushing freshman year - making a mistake?

[Titchou]

I understand that....we have some of those where I live. Hence, saying to think outside the box and network with those who may have an entree into the Greek community and work outward from there.

[DubaiSis]

OP, if you wait until your sophomore year you will likely have fewer options. But fewer is not none. And it sounds like you don't have the network under your belt to really help you as a freshman, so waiting could actually be in your favor. If in your freshman year you make friends with sorority women, you could do much better as a sophomore than you would as a fish out of water freshman.

But on a separate note, it sounds to me like you've over-committed yourself. I know SC is incredibly expensive so you probably want to load up your classes. But I would strongly suggest taking the minimum number of courses required to maintain full time student status for the first semester (for me that would have been 12 hours) and cut your social obligations way down. Yes, all of those things are important for a full and varied student experience, but too much and you'll just make yourself crazy. Pick the one or two that really speak to YOU and do that. The stuff that will pad your resume or introduce you to the right circles? That's a recipe for a nervous breakdown. First semester of your freshman year is not the time to change your life whole cloth. Baby steps.

[HQWest]

Sorry have to chime in here - what the academic advisors are recommending is always sign up for one class more than the minimum. That way if something happens - you can drop one class before the drop date and not go below the minimum number of classes. If you only take the minimum number of classes it can add a year on to your years in college. Since GPA is an average, one bad grade divided over 12 hours is worse than in 16. If you go below the minimum number of hours than can affect scholarships, student loans, and you or your parents tax liability.