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1: You Will Grow. A Lot.
GiphyCollege is marked by massive personal growth. The you that walks into freshman year, week one will be a much different person than you a few months or so into college. It is a part of the transition into becoming an adult with adult responsibilities. You never know what your future post-transition may hold. I entered college thinking I never could fit the bill of a sorority girl and that it simply was not what I wanted. Later on, after exploring, gaining confidence in my new adult self, and defining my goals for myself, I realized it was the right move for me.
Check out all of your options in your first semester. Evaluate who you are, who you wish to become, and what your goals are for your social, academic, and professional life. See if you can handle sorority life emotionally and mentally alongside everything else going on in your new college world. If after those few months, sorority life suddenly or still continues to call to you, go for it.
2: You Will See If It Is Financially Feasible
GiphyUnexpected financial burdens are a given in college. Whether your car breaks down out of nowhere or you decide to take on a Master's program after graduation, the bills can pile up. Fast. Sororities are serious financial commitments, and as an incoming freshman, you may not realize just where the money you put in to join one will leave you down the road. Knowing even halfway through your collegiate career where your finances and future plans stand can help you see if joining one will not be a decision that puts you in the red.
3: Rush Will Be Easier To Navigate
GiphyNo matter where you end up, college campuses are tough to navigate at first. Until you gain your bearings, you can be pretty turned around by even the simplest of directions. Not knowing where the places you have to go for rush can make the whole process really stressful and confusing—something it should not be. Waiting even a semester to rush can eliminate a lot of that stress and confusion. It might also give you an extra boost of confidence going in, which can do wonders for you.
4: You Have Time To Adjust To College Workloads
GiphyThere is definitely a learning curve to college. Even the strongest of academic minds have to adjust to the new load of work expected of them and how to manage it all without the daily watchful eyes of teachers and parents. Rushing and joining a sorority takes up a lot of time and effort. If you are not already in a good routine academically, this can pose some harm to your academics from the start. Taking a semester or two to make the necessary adjustments and get into those good academic habits can help the transition into sorority life not put a big dent into your transcripts and, again, be a less stressful experience.
5: You Might See Some Familiar Faces
GiphyI found my sorority through a friend of mine I shared multiple classes with. Once I got to know my sisters, it turned out that I had mutual friends with even more people there. A lot of times, those pre-established connections facilitated conversations and getting to know girls for me. If you rush after already being on campus for a few months, you may find yourself joining a group of friends instead of strangers. If you have any anxieties about meeting so many people, raising the chances of having a few people you know around may make the processes less daunting, too.
1. You have to go downstairs to do your laundry
2. You have to take the elevator to go to your room
3. You can't cook in your room
4. You have to cry in the bathroom when you just need that cry
5. You can't have late night talks on the phone
6. You have to deal with your roommate waking up early if your schedules don't match
7. You have to ask permission for guests to come over
8. You always have someone watching you being lazy and watching Netflix all day
9. You have to change in the room without privacy
10. Your room won't always be clean because 2 people share a room
Despite the fact that dorming is a struggle, it becomes easier when you have friends that support you and are always there for you. I'm glad I dormed my first year of college because without it I would have never met my roommate. I love my roommate very much, and without her, I would not have been able to do this dorming thing.
1. Act normal when they swipe your card, don't be nervous.
GiphyI have been there before and I know my card works so I shouldn't be nervous.
2. Okay, I just need to find a locker to put my stuff in now.
GiphyI think I spend more time looking for a good locker than working out...I'm just kidding. The most important part of the process is putting my stuff in a locker that I can see or getting a lock for it.
3. Just walk to the machine like you know what you are doing and be confident.
GiphyI know that I know how to use the machines that I use so I just need to remember that.
4. What do I do now since most of these Treadmills don't work and the rest are taken?
GiphyI'm silently freaking out because I was planning to use the treadmill, but most of the treadmills are freaking out of order. What do I do now?
5. I think I know how to use the Elliptical.
GiphyI think I used one of these as a kid...let's see how this goes.
6. Ah okay, the Elliptical isn't bad at all and this will make for a nice workout.
GiphyThis isn't too bad and this is actually a really easy workout.
7. When are those people going to get off the Treadmills?
GiphyI feel like they have been here forever and all I want is a treadmill.
8. My legs are going to look amazing from this Elliptical workout.
GiphyCan you imagine how good my legs are going to look in shorts if I workout on the Elliptical everyday?
9. Finally, someone is getting off of the treadmill.
GiphyI mean it feels like 8 hours later when someone is finally done with the treadmill.
11. Whew, I snagged the treadmill before the others that were staking it out.
GiphyWaiting for a treadmill is no joke and this is one of the many reasons that I don't like coming to the gym.
12. Let's start this workout nice and easy.
GiphyI will start this workout walking for a while and then jog because I don't want to over do it.
13. Why are these people running like 5 seconds after they got on the treadmill?
GiphyWhat is happening? Don't these people need to warm up first because I know that I do.
14. Am I doing this wrong? I'm still walking 10 minutes into my workout and these people are still running.
GiphyI honestly don't know how these people are doing this, but whatever I'm trying my best over here.
15. My workout is over and I will return when someone asks me to go with them.
GiphyThe workout itself wasn't bad, it was the waiting for the machine and just being nervous that was bad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIwkhEqVq4s
Super Bowl 52 was the New England Patriots (are we really shocked?) and the Los Angeles Rams, whose uniforms, by the way, were BRIGHT and STUNNING. I think by now, people are just expecting the Patriots to go and win the Super Bowl because they're in it almost every year. Hell, Tom Brady has enough rings for one hand and he's starting another, winning his sixth one Sunday night. What social media seemed to care about more was the Pepsi Half-Time Show featuring Maroon 5, Travis Scott, Big Boi, and a special appearance from Spongebob and his band live from the Bubble Bowl.
I definitely didn't feel like Adam Levine had the moves like Jagger that he was trying to display and vocalize, and there were girls like me who weren't really thrilled with Travis Scott singing probably one of the only songs he's actually popular for (besides also being known as Kylie's baby daddy), and it took me a second to realize who Big Boi was and I was confused as to why he was singing an OutKast song. I was waiting for Andre 3000 to jump on stage and tell Miss Jackson that he was sorry.
With Miss Jackson brings the talk of the night when Adam Levine decided to parade around the stage with a shirt off and it drove the internet nuts. People were either drooling at the site of seeing his nipples, but the majority of the internet, or, shall I say, the ones who weren't really fond of Adam Levine's nipples being on live television, were upset with the fact that Adam Levine wasn't ridiculed for being shirtless on stage during a halftime performance. But when Janet Jackson performed back in 2004 with Justin Timberlake, there was a wardrobe malfunction that happened that basically made her blacklisted from ever performing a halftime show again, but it wasn't something she couldn't control. I won't go into much more explanation about that, because that in itself is a headache to read through.
Twitter user @jackMspellman said it right when he stated, "It should be a felony offense for how they just teased us with the Spongebob Bubble Bowl."
It should be a felony offense for how they just teased us with the Spongebob Bubble Bowl— Jack Spellman (@Jack Spellman) 1549242813.0
The news was announced earlier in the week that Spongebob and the rest of the band were going to finally have their shining appearance at the Super Bowl during the halftime show. But, what did we get? Spongebob going SICKO MODE on us, and CBS playing us all. In all honesty, I was waiting to finally see if Mayonaise was an instrument, but, I guess we'll never know. I would've rather watched Spongebob perform from the Bubble Bowl than to watch Maroon 5 perform with Travis Scott and Big Boi, which is a mashup I NEVER thought I would see in my lifetime.
Pepsi, I think it's time you bring back Beyonce or bring in the Jonas Brothers for a reunion performance. Something that won't make the crowd wanna go get popcorn during the half-time performance. That is what you spend the most money on for that game, right? That's what the Super Bowl is about at this point with Tom Brady playing every damn year. I vote Coca-Cola takes over, they have better tasting soda anyways.
Megan Crabb
Get to know your professors
I cannot stress this one enough. Even in huge lecture classes of 400 people, take the time to talk to them after class or stop by their office hours. This will be especially helpful when you are in need of a letter of recommendation for scholarships or internships down the line.
STAY AWAY from the "chain" type apartments
You know exactly what I'm talking about. These apartments are the ones that advertise around campus, that have all the crazy amenities and fancy names. What they don't tell you (or show you) is how run down these apartments can be, how much they overcharge for rent and utilities and the crap customer service they usually have. Do yourself a favor and rent from smaller, private places.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a germophobe
Wash your phone and laptop with Clorox wipes when you get home. Carry hand sanitizer with you at all times. Wash your hands as much as you can. Yes, that sounds extreme, but take it from someone who works in a hospital and sees the kinds of illnesses going around. You do NOT want to end up sick when you are so busy.
It's perfectly fine to not go out to the bars every weekend
You don't have to be blackout drunk every weekend to have fun. I have found that just hanging out with my friends and going out to dinner can be just as fun. Bars are expensive AF and drunk people can get really annoying, really fast.
The Walmart brand is just as good as brand name products
If there is anything I have learned, it is that paying more money for brand name stuff is stupid. The Great Value version of everything literally tastes and works the same. Who doesn't love saving money for better things?
There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with bringing a boyfriend to college
Sooooo many people had comments to make when I told them I had a boyfriend from back in high school. Now, people are always saying how cute we are and how jealous they are of our relationship. We've been together for three years and I wouldn't change a thing. Hooking up with a different guy every weekend isn't classy and gets you absolutely nowhere.
ALWAYS get used textbooks and choose the rental option
Do not, for the love of God, buy brand new textbooks from your school's bookstore and always go for the rental option. Even if you think you will need the book later in life for your career, you will never open it again and it will just stay on your shelf collecting dust.
Take notes in an actual notebook, not on your laptop
Not only is it more satisfying to look back at, but it is also scientifically proven to help you retain information better.
Don't waste your money on a fake ID
It will most likely get taken from you and you'll look like a moron. Also, everyone in the bar knows you aren't 21, trust me.
Do your parents a solid and get a part time job
Seriously. It honestly helps you manage your time better, you can help with school expenses and it looks good on a resume. I never understood the people who don't work. They usually just end up partying all the time. Why not make some cash and be one step ahead? Also, those of us with jobs make fun of people who don't work and complain about how stressed they are. Sorry, that's just the truth.
Go. To. The. Gym.
The Freshman 15 is no joke and turned into the Freshman 25 for me. Most campuses have super nice rec centers, take advantage of it and keep the pounds off.
There is nothing wrong with going to see a therapist if you need it
Mental illnesses often become worse with the stress of college, but the understanding from peers becomes better because you are all going through similar things. There is absolutely nothing wrong with going to talk to somebody about it, even if your parents don't agree.
Don't drop a class just because you read bad things on "Rate My Professor"
If I had a penny for every professor I misjudged because I read their reviews on "Rate My Professor," I could probably pay off my student loans by now. People use that site to complain about professors when 95% of the time, it was probably their own fault they didn't do well in the class.
Practice the little habits your parents taught you, no matter how annoying
Turn off your lights when you aren't using them. Make your bed. Don't let your dishes pile up. These little things can make your life easier, and wayyyy cheaper.
College FLIES by, so enjoy the little things while you can
Never again in your life will you have the luxury of having three day weekends every weekend due to no Friday classes or scheduling your first class for noon. Enjoy wha you have while you have it!
