With their undergraduate careers complete and graduation behind them, 13 members of Eta Iota chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma took some time to reflect on their college career. In lieu of leaving their active member days behind, they leave a legacy of advice to undergraduate sorority women at Creighton University and across the nation.
1. Appreciate opportunities and remember that everyone fails.
“Appreciate all of the opportunities you are presented with and always remember that everyone fails and that’s okay. Society puts too much pressure on us, and sometimes it’s okay to just take a step back and breathe and know that what you are doing is enough. It’s okay to make mistakes and to fail. That’s the best way to learn.” -Jordan
2. Don't spend all of your energy comparing yourself to others.
"Don't spend your mental energy on comparing yourself to others, because then you'll either depress yourself or give yourself a superiority complex. Focus on finding what you love and what matters to you, and work on that. What everyone else is doing is irrelevant to your own life." -Kristi
3. Be open to trying something you never pictured yourself doing and be willing to take risks.
“Take advantage of all the new opportunities and experiences that present themselves to you throughout your college career. Be open to trying something you never pictured yourself doing before and be willing to take risks because I've found that some of my greatest memories came from putting myself out there. Something that I tried to remember throughout the last four years was that I would rather look back on my college experience and have regrets or mistakes that I learned from instead of having a bunch of what if’s.” -Molly
4. There is so much out there you won't have the chance to experience if you only stick to what you know.
“Go out of your comfort zone. College is a time to explore and try new things. Take a random class that sounds interesting, volunteer with different organizations, take internships in different fields, or join different organizations. There is so much out there you won't have the chance to experience if you only stick to what you know.” -Haley
5. “Never underestimate the importance of family dinners.” -Sam
6. Put yourself out there.
“Put yourself out there. This can mean applying for positions in various organizations around campus or in your sorority, applying for your dream internship, or talking to someone you've never talked to before or maybe just want to know better. By putting yourself out there, you are creating a bigger presence for your community or chapter on campus, making new connections, and opening new doors.
Even if there is only a slim chance that something will come from it, do it. The chances of something happening are higher than doing nothing at all. And if you think about it, you already went through recruitment or rush and that entire experience was you putting yourself out there.
If you aren't successful, keep trying.
From personal experience, I really wanted a leadership position in my sorority sophomore year. When I didn't get one I was truly devastated. My sisters convinced me to apply to be on Panhel Exec and I ended up holding a two-year position that impacted not only my sorority but my school's Greek life. I found 'sisters' all across the Greek community.” -Beth
7. Go to sorority events.
“Go to events and chapters while you can. When you can't go because you are too busy is when you want to go most, and you miss seeing everyone.” -Abby
8. “Have fun but don’t get caught.” -Anonymous
9. Get involved, stop comparing yourself to others, say yes, don't wear heels if you can't walk in them, don't tell people you have a car and get to class super early on the very first day.
"Get involved. While I received a great education in the classroom at Creighton, my most valuable lessons learned have come from outside the classroom- leadership in Kappa, internships, volunteering, and other organizations on and off campus. GPA is important, but it is only a fraction of the college experience.
Stop comparing yourself to others. Whether it be GPA, looks, internships and especially sorority vs sorority, comparing yourself to others instead of just focusing on doing your personal best will only lead to constant disappointment. The grass is not always greener on the other side, its green where you water it.
Say yes! I didn't really take action on this until senior year, but I wish I would have earlier. When people ask you to go to a late night Taco Bell run, attend a concert of some band you've never hear of (or even have no interest in), or just hang out and do something random. Go! My favorite memories have been from times like these where I could have easily said no but went anyway.
Don't wear heels if you can't walk in them or if will complain the whole time.
When you're a freshman, don't tell people that you have a car (especially if you're someone that has a hard time saying no. ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE A PICK-UP TRUCK).
On the first day of class, get to the classroom super early to claim your spot for the rest of the semester; it matters." -Jessica
10. Four years go by fast.
"Four years go by super fast. It's not the studying or the tests that you're going to remember when it's all over so don't forget to have fun." -Zoe
11. It's never too early start doing what you're passionate about.
"It's never too early to start doing what you are passionate about. After my junior year of college, I was a nurse intern at a hospital back home and I learned so much from that. I wish I had gotten into that a lot sooner, as I think it definitely helped affirm my love of nursing. " -Maggie
12. Going to class isn't enough, sororities are about the people you meet and take all of the online classes you can.
"Going to class isn't enough. When you go to apply for jobs, most places will be looking for work experience already. It's a Catch-22 because they want experience in order to gain experience. Don't be afraid to take on your own work and to make something to call your own in your free time.
When it comes to sororities, it is more about the people you meet than the activities you participate in. Supporting your sisters and other Greek causes is great, but it won't ruin your life or your sorority if you have other interests that sometimes get in the way.
Take all the summer and winter online classes you can. There are generally a good amount of general core classes online that only take 3-4 weeks. Then your schedule is opened up during the school year. Take as many classes as you are comfortable with each semester and break and that is how you can have a shot at only needing 12 credits for each of your senior semesters." -Claire
13. A sorority is quite literally a sisterhood.
"I guess my advice, especially to new girls who join a sorority, is that although in the beginning you may seem uncertain about yourself and whether you will fit in, I believe that everyone finds her place in her new sisterhood.
A sorority is quite literally a sisterhood. You go through good times and bad times with these ladies and it is easy to take this relationship for granted.
However, recognize that with every conversation your relationship with these ladies becomes stronger. I personally didn't realize just how much my relationship has changed with these wonderful women over the years.
This past year I had a difficult family tragedy and when I came back to my sisterhood all of my sisters gave me hugs and prayers. Some women, who I only talked to briefly in the past, would sit and listen to my stories. To my surprise, some of my sisters would bring up minor stories that I had told them several months prior.
These instances made me realize just how important it was to share myself with my sisters through conversation and, likewise, to listen to their stories. We have so many amazing women in our chapter and I have grown so much because of them. " -Janelle
