Time Management 101: Dealing with Schedule Constraints

Being in a sorority is hard work. Amid sorority meetings, intramurals, socials, and library hours there is a ton of other things. You have the obvious--school, the not so obvious like a job or other extra-curriculars, and you have that pesky thing called sleep that you have to pencil in from time to time. It can be difficult, painstaking, and generally not a lot of fun. You have to learn time-management skills and I am here to give you a crash course in Time Management 101.

1. Use a planner: A sorority girls number one accessory besides her favorite pearl bracelet should be her planner. Planners are absolutely essential in college. Buy a Lilly Pulitzer one, or one out of the dollar bin--it doesn't matter. As long as there is a nice place, with a calendar, that can help you see into the future it's perfect. Once you buy the planner, be sure to use the planner. That may be a dumb thing to emphasize, but planners are nothing if you don't use them.

2. Start the year off organized: One of the biggest things is to start the year off in an organized fashion. Courses are usually back-loaded (meaning most assignments are due at the end), if you are organized from the beginning it becomes a habit and habits help you stay focused throughout the year.

3. Remember to prioritize: Pick a night (usually Sunday night) to sit down and take a serious look at the week ahead. See what's coming up in school, work, and with your student organizations and plan around that. Also take some time to look at the next week and really see what is happening long term as well as short term. That way if you have a test you need to start preparing for now you know this and can start doing what you need to do to get great grades.

4. Remember you are a student first: The scholarships you receive aren't going to evaluate your involvement and dedication to Greek life in order to be renewed. Remember that good grades are important to school life as well as Greek life. You need a certain GPA to stay in school and in your sorority.

5. Exercise your right to say no: Even during the new member process you have a right to say no to things. Taking on responsibilities is wonderful but be aware of how much responsibility you are taking on. Someone may be able to do the job better because they don't have as many responsibilities so make sure you take only what you can handle.

I hope this time management lesson was helpful for all the people who are just joining college and Greek life. For all the older sorority member what is your favorite time management tip?