Time management when in a Sorority

By: Isabel Tansey- Alpha Phi

Being part of a sorority is an adventure in itself. It is something you have to be part of to truly understand, and one of the most rewarding experiences in a lot of different ways! It’s being part of a community, a sisterhood, gaining invaluable networking and leadership opportunities and so much more. It’s also a really big commitment, and time management is something I’ve had to master in order to fully immerse myself in being part of such a great organization. 

Being able to efficiently manage your time is an irreplaceable skill in university, especially for when you get into the real world. Balancing a full course load and doing well, having a social life, sorority commitments, volunteering, working, and taking care of yourself at the same time is a LOT for just about anyone, but I promise it can be done.

I’m still learning every day how to be more efficient and manage my time better, but I do have some tricks that have helped me a lot this year in balancing a super busy life and of course, having fun at the same time. 

1.    Write it down. Be organized. Classes have officially started, and you’ve gotten all of your class syllabi. Write every date down! This is the one of the first things I always do, every exam, due date, tutorial times etc. need to be in your calendar. Sorority’s are really organized when it comes to scheduling, we always have the whole month laid out in advance, so put those dates in as well! Sometimes things pop up, but if you have been organized up until then, you can always figure out a way to work around it. Procrastination is your worst nightmare when you have a busy schedule, so as soon as you can get something crossed off your list... do it! 

2.    To do’s vs. Must do’s. I don’t know if anyone likes making lists as much as I do, but I’m a bit of a freak that way. I have lists for everything, including every class, as well as a general “To do” list for other things. If you want to be a master of time management, you have to learn how to prioritize! Put your number one priorities on your “Must do” list, and get it done right away. Set achievable goals for each day, so you can feel accomplished. Sometimes you have to sacrifice going to the sisterhood in order to get that lab assignment done, and that is OKAY. School ultimately comes first, but once you start getting better at prioritizing, you should be able to come out to as much as you can. If you’re like me, you don’t like missing out, so I always made sure my schoolwork was done early so I could make the most of my time with the girls, and going to all the fun Greek events. 

3.    You come first. Take care of yourself. University is overwhelming. Sometimes you feel like you’re too busy to breathe, but that’s when you take a step back and make a plan. I find exercising is a really good way to get back into routine! Self-care is essentially doing the things you need to get done in order to take any weight off your back. It’s crossing those things off your list, as well as making time for the people that matter the most. The best thing about being in a sorority is the group of amazing girls you have at all times. It is the best support system in the world. Having a bad day? Grab lunch with a sister. Need some motivation? Find a study buddy in the library… there is always someone there with a table! Even if it is finding someone to drag you to the gym, you will always have someone there for you. 

When I joined a sorority, everyone told me you get out what you put in, which I completely understand now! My first year I applied for an exec position, which I ended up getting to my surprise and was completely overwhelmed with how much busier my life got. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The girls you meet during recruitment become family, your ultimate support system and your best friends. No matter how busy your life gets, always put yourself out there, work hard and it will be one of the best decisions you ever made!