Senioritis

So seniors, the time has come. You are finally experiencing your lasts of every thing. Last recruitment (thank the lord), last big/little, last formal, last initiation. The list can go on and on. For someone that has been in the chapter since freshman year you've witnessed countless seniors before you go through their lasts. You've watched them sob uncontrollably for no reason.

Never in your wildest dreams did you ever think that would be you. You always thought that when you were a senior you'd be ready to go. You'd be ready to say good bye to greek life. You love your chapter but though out the years you've gotten a bit tired of it. You aren't ready to say good by are you though?

You are now those seniors that are crying at everything. Thats perfectly fine. It also extremely understand able. Your chapter, the girls in it and your ritual have been apart of your life for the past 4 years. Not experiencing all of it everyday is going to be weird. You are allowed to be that crying senior. Go ahead let out a huge cry at your last initiation. You deserve it. You've experienced a lot over the years. You've put a lot of hard work in. And now you are leaving. Its normal. The younger girls will judge you, just like you judged all the girls before you. But you know what, I can bet that when they are in your shoes they will understand why you are crying. Don't feel bad for having a tear streaked face. It happens to the best of us. Just cherish these last few weeks with the girls that mean the most to you.

The worst week ever....

Elections. This is probably one of the worst times of the year. For a few weeks your whole chapter gets very catty because chances are at least 4 people want the same position. Everyone has their opinions on who the new Exec board should be. Don't play into this. Just to keep some kind of peace in the chapter, keep your opinions to yourself.

However, elections are fun and exciting. Maybe you were nominated for a position. Whether that position be big or small its still exciting. Maybe its a position you either don't want or don't think you will be great at. Thats fine, but still except the nomination. Obviously some one in your chapter thinks that you would be great in this position. Other people believe in you more than you believe in yourself so trust their judgement.

One thing that I always like to tell people is that if you are nominated for multiple positions the chapter will decide where you best belong. Do not get your hopes up for one position, because maybe everyone thinks you are better suited somewhere else. For example, if you really really want to be recruitment chair but you are also nominated for new member educator and thats what the chapter wants you to be, don't be upset. They believe that you will succeed better there than in recruitment chair.

Whatever you do during election season, just stay positive. Don't think about it all the time. Don't get upset. Just proceed onward with your life. Whatever is meant to happen will happen. Good luck and breath.

Cheers to being a Grand Big.

The day has come when your little takes a little. You are no longer the attention of her affection and you don't know what to do anymore. Believe it or not your big felt the same way when you received your little. Trust me when i tell you this isn't the end of the world. Having a grand little is probably more special than having a little. The bond that you have with your grand little will still be special but a little different. Knowing that she isn't yours but still in your family is wonderful. You can still spoil her, but you don't always have to deal with the 2 am phone calls with her crying about the boy that broke her heart. Thats what her big is for. You are just there to make everything better. To be there when she wants to go out to eat. Or just get away from the drama of dealing with sorority life. You are her outlet because you've been around for a few years. Its honestly the best.

Your relationship with your little will grow as well. Whether or not you already have a great relationship with her it will grow. Your little has always looked up to you, but now you have experience that she has never had. You've been a big before. You know how to deal with a crying 19 year old at 2 in the morning. You also know how it is when you feel like your little doesn't like you. You will be her confidant. The one she goes to about everything concerning her little. Don't look at becoming a grand big negatively. Look at it as a wonderful new experience with a brand new adorable addition to spoil with love.

The 5 Types of Formal Dates

Formal season is upon us ladies. Formal gives us a reason to dress up for once and not wear sweat pants. We get one night a year where we all look so nice and get extremely nice pictures with our friends. However, there is one thing we are missing. A date. There are multiple dates that you can bring to this function and I will let you in on the secret.

1) Just because its formal doesn't mean you need to bring a guy. Don't worry, its not in the rules. If you want you can bring your best girl friend who is in another sorority or not in greek life at all. It does not matter. This type of date is really fun because you know that you can have fun with this person not matter what. Another plus to this option is there is a good chance that this girl knows a lot of the girls in your chapter so you won't have to solely entertain her on your own.

2) One  option that is used a lot, especially when you are younger is the blind date. Maybe you are a freshman and you don't know a lot of guys in greek life yet, so your big or another friend is going to set you up. This is a great option. This gives you a chance to get to know other people. However, this option can be sometimes awkward because you are expected to sit there and eat and have conversations with someone that you've never met before. If you are doing this option suggest to the friend that is fixing the two of you up to set up a group hang out a few days in advance so its not as awkward.

3) Boyfriend. This option is obviously a given. For those of you that are lucky enough to have a boyfriend you don't need to worry about who you are going to bring. This is also obviously one of the easiest options out there.

4) Maybe you aren't feeling brining some one from your school. Thats fine too. Maybe you want to bring someone that goes to a different college that you went to high school with. Perfectly fine. Just expect to introduce this person to EVERYONE in your chapter. We don't get to see new faces often so when we do we automatically want to know the history behind the two of you. How long you've known each other. Most embarrassing stories. Have you ever dated. I could go on but I won't. Just be prepared to answer a lot of questions.

5) Finally my personal favorite option. Your best guy friend. If you are boyfriend-less this is probably the best option. Bring a guy that you know very well and can have a great time with. This option will be pretty effortless because you two probably hang out at least a few times a week. Chances are all your sisters know him and probably a few of his brothers( if he is greek) will be there as well. This is a date with no strings attached. You can easily ditch him so you can dance with your sisters.

Also don't feel obligated to bring a date. Some of your sisters will also be going stag as well. No matter which option you choose just have a great time. You don't get to be dressed up and have this much fun with your sisters often.