Valparaiso University

lovelovelove

Greek life at Valpo is such a great way to get involved. Before Greek life I was a confused Freshman with no sense of direction, involved in nothing outside of my classes, and hanging out with a crowd I didn't particularly care for. After Greek life? I started attending on campus church bi-weekly, had 2 leadership positions just within my greek organization, was elected treasurer of a relevant on campus club, and obtained an on campus job. Greek life made me a happier person and definitely made me feel like I fit better on campus. Phi Psi 500, Sigma Chi Derby Days, Kapture the Flag, the Mr. and Miss Greek Pageant, and Swishes for Wishes are just a few events I wouldn't have felt comfortable getting involved in if it weren't for Greek life. Recruitment was hell, but worth it. I highly recommend joining Greek life at Valpo, it's the sisterhood/brotherhood of a university with greek life of higher prestige without the snobby standards and overly expensive clothes.

Respect the fraternities.

Unless you're good friends with seniors with houses/apartments or you're of age, your only weekend party option is fraternity houses. Use this option wisely. Make friends with the brothers. Don't be the house ho. Don't steal booze. Remember that you're a guest in the houses you're visiting and that you go to a small school where people WILL and DO take notice of your dumb mistakes. Don't show up to parties at closed houses that you weren't invited to, people will take notice and you will probably be asked to leave. That said, there's bound to be something fun going on that's open to everyone at at least one house every Friday and Saturday. You learn pretty quickly which houses you like and which ones you'd rather never enter a 2nd time, and you will absolutely have some of the best nights of your life if you handle your party opportunities wisely.

Christ College

To any incoming Freshmen freaking out about the "honors college" I'm here to calm your fears. First semester of the Freshman program is Pass/Fail (super easy to pass, pay no mind to the number of times you get D's on papers.) Second semester? "Graded." But I didn't hand in two of my weekly papers and got C's and D's on pretty much all my papers yet still pulled a solid B in the course. Not bad for what I'd consider to be very minimal effort. The main issue I had with Christ College was the other people in it. For the most part they're stuck up, aren't even that smart, and don't even do terribly well in the program that they literally center their on-campus lives around. Gag.