Moving In To the House

   If you're a college student and in a sorority, this one is for you. Moving in to the house can be exciting for some, nerve-racking for others, or it can be a whole lot of in between. For me, I was extremely excited. I was excited to get to know all my sisters, to have this new college experience and to get out of the dreadful dorms.

   I decided to address some concerns you could be having or challenges you might be facing (while also giving you a little room tour) in the following post. I hope you enjoy. xo

   If you are scared of living with all girls:
There are few things you can't escape while being in a sorority. One of these is living with a bunch of females. Within the first week one of our bathroom's drains were blocked by tampons and a plumber had to remove them and we had photo sent to us (I won't show you the photo don't worry). This is just one example of the problems that can come from a female overload. If he estrogen levels are simply too high, you can: just go for a walk, get some fresh air away from it all. Invite a guy friend over for dinner, its a nice change of pace to have a guest over. Study outside of the house to get a break from your constant surroundings.

   If you feel like you aren't close with any of your sisters yet:
I am a firm believer that the best way to make friends is by being yourself. The best thing to do is to step a little out of your comfort zone. Whether it's opening up to other girls, eating with a different group of people than you normally would or even planning a sisterhood event. There are different ways to break into the already formed friendships in your pledge class but you can't wait for people to reach out to you. Go out and hangout with the girls in your house. Don't get stuck only hanging out with first year friends because you might not have gotten to know your favorite people yet. On a side note, you don't need to be best friends with everyone in your pledge class, that isn't realistic, so don't feel bad if you don't vibe with some of the girls you try to reach out to.

   If your best friends are in other houses:
My best friends from last year are all in different houses at IU and so I don't just get to walk across the hall to knock on their door anymore. While this can be difficult, here are a few solutions. Take an elective course together. My friend and I are taking yoga for one credit hour together. This gives you the chance to at least see each other a couple times a week to stay close and updated on each other's lives. Another option, is monthly brunch. Get the girls together for a nice Saturday or Sunday brunch when you don't have food at the house anyway.

   If you don't think you and your roommate click:
Did you and your best friend from home become best friends in one day, or in one week? I didn't think so. I know my best friend and I have known each other since we were three years old. Let the relationship grow and you'll find that you were meant to live in this house with these people and they will become your life-long friends.

   If you miss home:
Incorporate a few of your things from your room at home into your room at school. Whether its a blanket, a picture (of your dog), a color scheme, just to make your setting a little bit more familiar. If that doesn't work, don't forget to always call your parents. Even if you have nothing to talk about, they will love hearing from you and it will make you feel a bit closer to home.

   For a lot of people though, it can be very stressful, and my advice, don't rush it. Whether you haven't been able to be yourself yet, or you miss home, or you haven't found a best friend in the house yet, its okay. Good things will come in time. According to 1 Samuel "lack of patience can cause you to miss blessings," so follow that rule next time you get frustrated or confused with this new adjustment.

   Finally, my best advice I can give about moving into a house of girls, is to not lose yourself. Whether you start to lose yourself in the partying, in the clothes other people wear, the amount of studying other people do, or the culture other people follow. It is okay to fit in a house where you aren't the same as everyone else. Fitting in doesn't need to mean being the same as one another. In my opinion, the best thing about my house is our diversity. We have girls from different walks of life, religions, coasts, countries and that keeps you learning more everyday. If you don't feel like you fit in yet, don't try to change yourself, be happy as you are, and have patience with the transition. Good luck guys xx