Home at Last =D

I am so glad to be home. Although I love what I do on campus with my double major and my extracurriculars- the grind can be tiring. Especially since I was thrown a doozy of a week. I got sick last week and then this week I had 4 tests in a row. I do not wish that on anyone, I could understand if it was finals week, but I never had a midterm week like that. And the funny thing is, my finals week looks like a cake walk compared to my midterm week. All I have are 3 papers and 2 tests for finals. Ah, I would have definately preferred that, but oh well, what is done is done =D

I LOVE LOVE LOVE our new member class, especially my little Neffy =D What is a little? Sororities and fraternities pair new members with brothers/sisters to guide them through fraternity/sorority life. I am so glad that I got paired up with Neffy because if I was going to have a little, I wanted a little that reminded me of the qualities that I admire in my big sister, and Neffy emulates that to a T. My big is my best friend and I miss her so much (she's serving the country with Americorps right now) and what made me smile today was that my big texted me that she and my little were talking and they hit it off =D I cannot tell you how happy I was to hear that, I'm still smiling! I cannot WAIT until Gab is finished with her duty with Americorps...she comes back in August, which should be the same time I might be coming back if I get my internship in Washington D.C. I still have my fingers crossed.

Enjoy break everyone and make sure you take fantastic adventures.

Until next time,
Claps

Good Riddance.

There was nothing that made me happier tonight than when I found out that tomorrow, JuicyCampus.com will be shut down because of lack of advertising support. I have HATED that site ever since it came to Oneonta's campus because of the constant slander that appeared daily. Although some may say that the gossip is going to still spread, at least no one has to worry about seeing their name broadcast on a juvenile forum for anyone to see anymore.

In happier news, on Sunday my sorority had a Super Bowl Party with Pi Delta Chi. It was so much fun and I realllllly hope that we will get to have another get together soon. What I loved about it is that whether you were there for the game or the food (I will admit that I was the one by the food), it was such a chill time. I have wanted my sorority to hang out with another sorority so badly, and throughout this year I have had the chance to befriend a lot of the girls from PiChi, so I'm so glad that we decided to chill with them.

However, Lauren brought up a great point in her blog, and I would also like to comment on it. I also believe that 1st semester freshmen should be able to pledge a fraternity or a sorority. Some people may argue that freshmen should not pledge their first semester because of the time committment, and they may wreck the chance of them getting a good first semester GPA. Also, there are people who say that joining Greek Life their first semester may cause them not to seek out other clubs.

But honestly...I think that recognized Greek Life would be so beneficial for 1st semester freshmen. For those who argue about the grades: this could work two ways. I know schools across the country that will allow 1st semester freshmen to pledge on the condition that their high school grades were above a certain GPA. I feel that if those students cared enough about their grades in high school, they'll care about them in college as well. Also, for recognized Greek Life, in order to stay active you must have above a 2.5 GPA. If the first semester freshmen successfully make it through their new member program and at the end of the semester, they do not have that GPA, then they can't be active. However, because recognized Greek Life cares so much about grades, I do not see that as such an issue, especially with the study hours. There are also an incredible amount of leaders in Greek Life. For example, in my sorority we have 4 RAs (3 sisters, 1 new member), a CADE tutor, an Orientation Leader, myself as an SA senator, 2 OSES members, 2 Terps members, and many other sisters represent other clubs on campus as well. And I know other recognized sororities also have sisters who also are involved in active leadership roles. Why would a sorority that has so many sisters in leadership positions let a 1st semester freshman's grade slip? I know for a fact my sisters would never let that happen.

Also- Greek Life provides a way to make great friends and to network on campus. Everyone has been a freshman before, and Greek Life is a great way to get involved on campus. Greek Life does not keep you in a bubble, my sisters encourage me to take various leadership roles.

but that's just my two cents.