Social

8 Benefits of Joining Greek Life

When many people hear “fraternity” or “sorority,” they think of wild parties à la “Animal House,” hazing and heavy drinking. But this perception doesn’t do justice to the reality of Greek life, which is filled with opportunities for personal growth, professional development, philanthropy and a vibrant social life. It isn’t for everyone, but participating in… Read More
23 Lessons for Freshmen as They Begin College

The Class of 2023 is arriving on university campuses across the country. For the majority of new college students and their parents, they’ve been so focused on the application process and securing financial assistance that successfully transitioning from high school to college is just coming into focus. I surveyed and interviewed current college students and… Read More
New Insights Fit to Change Culture of Blackout Drinking in College

Most college students who drink alcohol don’t intend to drink to the point of “blacking out,” and many don’t fully grasp the specific drinking habits that increase the risk of memory impairment, according to a new set of studies. Blackouts, or episodes when an alcohol consumer can’t remember anything for some period of time, are… Read More
Here’s How You Can Avoid Accidental Social Exclusions

Ostracism, or social exclusion, is thought to be an intentional method to punish disagreeable, awkward, or unwanted members in a group. For instance, if someone is seen as freeloading or annoying, they might be excluded from different social circles or events. But, according to researchers Björn Lindström and Philippe Tobler from the Department of… Read More
No Greek Life? No Problem!

The media’s portrayal of Greek life in college ranges from a well-rounded organization that promotes philanthropy and academia to students with the “Work Hard, Play Hard” mentality. Greek life on campus has its benefits, but there are universities that do not have Greek life present on campus for various reasons, which may include religious reasons,… Read More
First Week of College: Dos and Don’ts

Arriving at college is an exciting and transformative moment in a young adult’s life. As students wave goodbye to their parents, little do their parents know that college may be more difficult for their loved ones than they imagined. Most students find it difficult to adjust to a new social scene and the challenges that… Read More
6 Tips on How to Make Friends in College

The art of socializing is mastered by very few people. So if you’re having some trouble making friends at college, or you’re an incoming freshman worried about making friends, it’s okay. It’s natural to be concerned, but don’t worry too much about it. There are many ways for you to make friends in college. Keep… Read More
6 Tips to Explore Your College Town

Whether you choose to attend an urban university, such as NYU or UCLA, or wish to escape to the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, where you live will have a huge impact on your college experience. All college life can feel repetitive, so students can easily fall into a routine. But, you must… Read More
Embracing Discomfort in College Will Help You Grow

The process of socialization starts the minute we enter this world. Children are raised to eat the food their parents give them, share the knowledge their peers impart to them, walk, sing and talk the way their neighbors show them. We progressively fall into a bubble, a safe space, that we don’t want to leave.… Read More
Making Friends at a Commuter School

I took my seat at a round table, decked out with yellow and blue balloons. Sprinkled confetti was everywhere, and loud music was blasting from the front stage. It was the mandatory freshman sleep away weekend, and I was sitting at a table by myself. I felt awkward and out of place. So I was… Read More
Another Party on Weekends, or Something Different?

It’s Friday at last; you’re tired and want to just shut yourself in your room and collapse. “TGIF!” you say this to yourself, but then you find yourself at a party you don’t really want to be in. You don’t want to let down your friends or miss the excitement, the potential of meeting more people.… Read More
How to Survive College Without a Sip of Alcohol

When you think of college, what comes to mind? For some, it’s finally studying what you want, late nights spent in old libraries, or making lasting friendships. But for many, college equates to partying, and moreover, alcohol. Nearly every movie or TV show about college students depicts them drinking – excessively. Whether it’s giant frat… Read More
The Sorority Rush – Should You Rush or Not?

Each year on college campuses, thousands of girls rush a variety of 26 assorted social sororities. Some may be legacies with their mother or even grandmothers tying them to specific sororities. Others may be hopeful firsts, rushing without any connections or background. Each school’s rush process is different- some happen in the fall, some in… Read More
How to Rebuild Broken Relationships

Forming relationships is hard, maintaining relationships is harder, and remedying broken or underdeveloped relationships is the hardest. When dealing with people, there will be complications. When dealing with feelings, frustrations will arise. But know this: no matter how damaged or astray the trajectory of a relationship, there is always hope. Here are 3 ways to… Read More
The Single Most Important Skill You Don’t Learn in College: Listening

Listening 101 is not a course offered in college but definitely should be. Recently, there have been many talks about the importance of listening in communication, and it’s probably worth paying attention to if psychologists, pastors, motivational speakers, CEOs and ordinary people like myself are talking and/or writing about it. 💁 But really, I believe that listening… Read More