How to Be Happy

There are several reasons why I am happy today. The most important being that it is my boyfriend's 22nd birthday! We enjoyed celebrating with friends and eating chocolate chip cookies :)

Another reason is that I am so happy that I am a sorority woman. Even though I am an alumna now, Delta Gamma continues to give back to me. Since my resolution this year is to focus on the word enjoy, I've recently been looking into books, blog posts, articles, etc. that are about enjoying life and being happy. Yesterday I got this awesome book from Delta Gamma in the mail and one of the topics is, "How to Be Happy".

Based on various research and studies, here are some keys to happiness as shared in this book.

-Staying busy
-Religion (no single religion claims the highest happiness level)
-Healthy Relationships
-Appreciating what you have

I agree that these items can help you maintain happiness. Happiness is a choice and I chose to enjoy life by staying busy, pursuing God and healthy relationships, and appreciating what I already have.


Finally, I have one more reason for enjoying today and being a sorority woman. I got my Anchora in the mail and it features Delta Gammas that are teachers! I can't wait to read about how my sisters are doing good in the education field. 

Enjoy today and do good!

Service and Honor:Proud Greek

This past week has made me so proud to be a member of the Greek community!

First, I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Spina Bifida Half-Marathon with my sisters. We were able to cheer on all of the participants and passed out water during the race.

 

Not only was it inspiring to see all of the runners, but I was proud to see my sisters volunteer through the pouring rain until the very last participants completed the half-marathon.

 

This week I also had the honor of being initiated into Order of Omega, an organization that recognizes the leadership and achievement of fraternity men and sorority women across the U.S. To be tapped for membership you must be a junior or senior who has exemplified high standards in the areas of scholarship, leadership and involvement.

 

 

I was welcomed into Order of Omega by several of my Delta Gamma sisters. This week has been one of those times when I look back and think, I am so happy that I went Greek! It has opened up so many opportunities for me and has only pushed me to be a better version of myself.

To learn more about Order of Omega you can visit their website:http://www.orderofomega.org/  

 

 



Sorority Big Little Reveal

My last post was about all of the cool gifts I made for my Little sister in Delta Gamma. Now on to the fun details about how they revealed who the Big sisters were.

The Littles recieved small gifts and clues about who their Big was for three days. On the night of the third day we had reveal. At reveal all of the Bigs hid pin boxes that we made with our Little's name on them. Once the Little found the pin box they had to put on the sock that was with it. All of the Bigs were behind a long line of blankets with our foot sticking out. The Little had to stand in front of the hidden person that had on a sock that matched their sock.

 

Me and my Big hiding from our new Littles!

Here is my Little and new Twiddle waiting to see who their Bigs are.

 

We counted to three and everyone dropped their sheets at the same time. Here is the big moment!

 

 

 

Then the Littles got the rest of their gifts and got to put on their family stich shirt.

My Family Tree

 

 

 My Little, Twiddle, and Me

 

 

I loved doing our reveal this way and am so happy to have added a Little, Twiddle, and Two cousins to my DG family!

 

 

 



Sorority Little Gifts

Last night was our Big/Little Reveal and I got my perfect Little :) I will share more about our actual reveal later, but first I wanted to share the gifts I made throughout the week. I know people are always looking for gift ideas for their sisters.

We do three days where the Littles get a small gift and a clue. On reveal night we give them the rest of their gifts.

Here are some of the crafts and gifts that I gave my Little.

 

 

If some of you Delta Gamma's are confused about the giraffe stuff, that is unique to our DG chapter. Before our chapter officially became Delta Gamma they formed and chose the giraffe as their symbol.

 

Here are all of our gifts together on Day 1 and 3.

 





Favorite Five Friday: Sorority Big Sister

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Finding out who my sorority big sister was last year has been one of my favorite college memories. I can't believe that day was a whole year ago and that I find out who my little is going to be tonight! The relationship between a big and little is like no other

Draft

 

 

Finding out who my sorority big sister was last year has been one of my favorite college memories. I can't believe that day was a whole year ago and that I find out who my little is going to be tonight! The relationship between a big and little is like no other and I am so excited about taking on this new responsibility.

My Big, Mollie, has been awesome and here are some of my favorite things about her. These are qualities that I am going to strive for as I become a big sister this year.

 

1. A good big encourages you to be your best self. Within your chapter, on your campus, and within life in general, my Big always encourages me to get involved on campus and be successful in my classes and all that I do.

2. A good big is always there for you. I don't know how many times a week I am texting and calling my Big with all of my questions or because I have yet again lost something. If I have a bad day she is always there to make me smile.

3. A good big can have fun doing anything. My big and I can have the best time looking at the humor board on Pinterest or at our sorority's formal. She shouldn't pressure you to do things you don't want to do.

4. A good big teaches you about your sorority. My big was there guiding me through my initiation process and is still teaching me things about our chapter and organization. She helped me learn the greek alphabet and quizzed me before I went through initiation.

5. A good big always shows you love. It doesn't have to be through presents, but it can simply be through a text or hug. Sometimes it might even be tough love.

I understand that not everyone has the most amazing relationships with their Big, but you shouldn't let it ruin your greek life experience. You have a whole chapter of women to support you. Work on building those other relationships and find an older member in your chapter that you can look up to.

 

To my future little: I can't wait to reveal who I am and spoil you! :)

Sorority Recruitment Weekend

Sorority recruitment is over! It was a very long weekend but it was definitely worth it. We got an amazing pledge class and I can't wait to get to know all our new Hannah's.

This weekend made me realize just how proud I am of our chapter. Delta Gamma has made a huge difference in my college career and I had the privilege of making our awards and achievements port for the first night of recruitment.

The banner across the front of the table says "Sail with the Best"

 

The second night was all about our philanthropy, Service for Sight.

 

The last night was of course Pref Night and I don't think there was a dry eye in the room during each party. The strength of our sisterhood was so evident.

 

Bid Day was the most exciting! I loved welcoming our new members home!

 

Congratulations to all of the girls who accepted bids this weekend! I hope your greek life experience is as amazing as mine has been.

 

 

 

 



Going through Sorority Recruitment

 

Here at NKU we are gearing up for sorority recruitment weekend! I can't believe it has already been a year since I went through recruitment and found my home with Delta Gamma. It can definitely be a nerve racking experience. Here are some of my top tips for those going through recruitment:

 

• Bring Snacks! Recruitment requires long days/nights so bring some snacks and drink plenty of water.
• Wear Flats. Or bring flip flops to walk in and change into your heels right before the party. You may have to walk around your campus to get from one chapter to the other.
• Talk about yourself. The girls really want to get to know you to see what you can bring to their chapter. Don't be afraid to share your accomplishments and your goals for college.
• Stand Out. The women in each chapter will be meeting hundreds of potential new members, so try to wear a little something each night that will make you stand out and be remembered. Think a cute pair of shoes, something in your hair, etc.
• Keep negative comments to yourself. When I went through recruitment there were girls in my group that openly talked badly about specific chapters. Just because a chapter isn't a perfect fit for you doesn't mean it wasn't meant for someone else. If someone does end up joining the chapter you dissed, that girl will always remember what you said.
•  Remember that each school is different. Just because you heard something about a sorority at a different school, doesn't mean that it is true for the chapter at the school you are going to. Plus, don't believe everything you hear. Its important to experience things for yourself. Each college has their own unique Greek community.
• Don't let a guy influence your decision. Join the sorority that is the best fit for you, not the one your current guy thinks is the most popular.

How will I know when I have found the right chapter?

For me, it was when the conversation came easily. I could see that the girls had high standards. I felt like I could relax when I was with them and at the end of their party I didn't want to leave.

 

 

Sorority Ever After is a great website with more detailed information and advice about recruitment.

 

Good luck to everyone going through recruitment!

 

 

 

 



Getting Involved on Campus

 

The number one piece of advice that we give incoming students is to get involved in at least one student organization on campus. Joining an organization will help you meet new people who will help you along your college journey. Plus its fun and gives you something to do!

 

This weekend was full of campus involvement for me. Friday was one of our biggest campus events of the year: Fresh Fusion. Basically it is a huge organizations fair. All of the campus organizations set up booths and there is free food and stuff like airbrushed banners. All of the incoming students get to talk to organizations that they are interested in.

 

The Orientation Leaders even got to do a fun dance to kick the whole event off.

 

 

I was there representing my sorority, Delta Gamma. We also had our first meeting of the year this weekend getting ready for recruitment. It was great to see all of my sisters again and pose with our new wooden letters!

 

Our campus also gives us the opportunity to do a lot of service for the community. On Saturday I participated in "Service on Saturday" and worked a giant blow up slide at a family festival sponsored by Girl Scouts. Even though it was super hot, hearing the children giggle as they came down the slide was worth it.

 

Check with your campus's Office of Student Life to see what you can get involved in!

 



Last Summer Weekend

While I am excited for classes to start tomorrow, it seems like this summer has flown by. My last weekend before school was super busy!

Friday was Freshmen Move-In Day.

My Delta Gamma sisters and I were on Move In Crew. It was great to be able to meet some new students and see their excitement about starting their college career. I can't believe it has been two years since I first moved in!

Friday night was our soccer game against UK.

I got to be a part of history here at NKU since this was our first home game as a Division 1 university. Plus, it was a record setting audience! The game ended in a tie at 2-2 and made me super excited to cheer on our Division 1 Norse in the Atlantic Sun Conference this year.

Saturday we had Rock and Jock.

Rock and Jock is basically a big kick-off for Greek recruitment and the Orientation Leaders got to wear our letters in front of the freshmen for the first time.

I also got to be reunited with my Delta Gamma sisters and talk to some great freshmen that are interested in going through recruitment.

Finally, today was the Orientation Leader Reunion Picnic so we got to see all of our freshmen again before school starts.

I had a blast at all of the events! It was a great way to end the summer and I hope it is a sign that this will be a great semester.

Good luck to everyone starting classes tomorrow!