11 DIY Headboards for Your Dorm

One of the easiest ways to spruce up a boring dorm room is by dressing up the bed. But pillows, bedsheets, and a pretty comforter only go so far when it comes to overcoming sleep problems. Here are some diy headboard ideas so that you can give your dorm bed a little extra ooomph!

Above: For this "Tall Order" headboard featured at BHG (Better Homes & Gardens), an inexpensive artist's canvas was covered in fabric and propped behind the bed. I particularly like this project because the canvas could be re-covered if you want to change you color scheme or it could moved around the room if you no longer wish to use it as a headboard. I do think, however, that it should be fastened to the wall in some way to avoid falling on your head during sleep. Some kind of adhesive hooks might just do the trick?

Above: If you're feeling especially ambitious or crafty, a diy-upholstered headboard may be just the project for you. Click here for BHG instructions on creating this luxe headboard using medium-density fiberboard, batting, and your choice of fabric. (Apparently it takes only three hours and no special tools are required!)

Above: This "Letter Perfect" headboard shown on BHG is dedicated to all you bookworms and future novelists out there. Collect new or vintage letters of varying sizes and colors flea markets, antique shops, and craft-stores... and put 'em up on the wall with some double-sided tape, poster putty, or adhesive hooks (depending on the material and weight of your letter).

Above: Hey, globetrotters... you may like BHG's "Map Quest" headboard project. Simply use decoupage medium to adhere paper road maps to an old headboard. (Note: Do not, under any circumstances, decoupage the dorm-provided headboard... it will damage the school's furniture.) For a dorm-safe approach I would recommend either doing this to a headboard you own and bringing it to school... or decoupaging a flat piece of plywood and temporarily attaching it to the headboard the school provided you with.

Above: Add some timeless romance to your dorm by borrowing the "Screen Star" idea from BHG. Simply place a folding screen between your headboard and the wall. Wrought iron is always gorgeous, but there are a variety of screen available out there. Plus, a vertical screen will draw the eye upward.

Above: BHG's "Perfectly Padded" idea is a new take on the old upholstered headboard. I absolutely adore this idea. Simply hang a bench cushion by it's ties from wall-mounted hooks. I think those adhesive hooks are pretty much ideal for this project. (Just make sure that they are all attached to the wall at the same level so that your cushion isn't crooked.) You could also put a twist on this diy by hanging the cushion over the long part of your bed instead of at the headboard. It could give your bed a daybed like.

Above: Isn't this BHG project pretty? This "Elegant Illusion" also happens to be a piece of cake. While you're not allowed to paint the walls at school, vinyl decals are a great alternative. I'm sure if you shop around you'll be able to find a vinyl headboard decal. Or you could stick other decals to the wall and create your own idea of a headboard. I think one of those chandelier silhouette decals would be quite eye-catching over a bed.

Above: So this BHG idea, called "Pop of Color", is the easiest, most convenient, and easiest headboard project. So if you're not crafty, on a small budget, or simply change your mind a lot... give this diy a chance. Simply drape a panel of fabric over the headboard. Then tuck the ends under the mattress to keep it in place. Yup... it's that easy. With several pieces of pretty, patterned fabric on hand, you could change your headboard's look on a whim.

Above: This "Paper Headboard" from I heart Norwegian Wood on Flickr is super easy and super stylish. The headboard design was simply drawn onto and cut out of thick, white poster board and stuck to the wall.

Above: This "Scrapbook Paper" headboard (also from I heart Norwegian Wood) is what I'm leaning towards doing in my own dorm room. I was first inspired by a $13 Paper Wall, but it took some surfing around to find a photo of what I wanted to do... which is to attach scrapbook paper in different colors and patterns to the wall above my bed. I think I may go all the way up to the ceiling though in my room. This can be done by simply attaching scrapbook paper squares to the wall with double-sided tape, adhesive strips, or poster putty.

Above: I love the headboard in this bedroom belonging to Flickr user kimhas6cats. It's a different take on using a screen as a headboard. It's her screen that's really the key. It seems that it was just made for hanging things... like scarves, artwork, etc. It's really quite a fabulous idea. And considering I personally own over twenty scarves... I'm keeping my eyes open for a screen like this. Imagine all the other things you could hang from it! So many possibilities.

Final Word:

If you're creative, crafty, and innovative... there is a variety of ways to customize your bed and your dorm in general. But I do stress over and over again that it's soooo important to read your residence hall contract and handbook so that you know what you are allowed to do decor-wise in the dorm and what is prohibited. Every college has different rules. If you don't understand something in the contract or handbook, e-mail your residence hall director or dormitory staff. Be informed, be safe, and be creative. :)

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Looking Up

(Telescopic by LoboSabio)

Isn't that gorgeous? That's a photo of the dome in Beardshear Hall at ISU. I noticed this dome the last time I was there. I just happened to look up and couldn't help but gasp. I love architecture.

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A Fabulous Wall... for $13

(My $13 Paper Wall by AndThen...)

Doesn't the wall of that playroom look absolutely fabulous? Would you believe that the creative mastermind made it using scrapbook paper and glue dots? I think that this would be a fun thing to do on dorm room walls. Scrapbook paper comes in such pretty colors and patterns... and at stores like Hobby Lobby and Michael's, you can score some on the cheap. For a dorm, you may want to skip over the glue dots though because they may not be allowed due to damage. You could however pull it off with some poster-putty or double-sided tape, depending on what your school allows. (Do make sure to read the handbook or ask your hall adviser about what is and what isn't allowed on dorm room walls.)

For complete directions on creating a scrapbook paper wall of your own, click here.

Although the effect of an entire wall is eye-catching, I think it'd be neat to just do a section above the bed... like a fake headboard kinda thing. This diy is on my list of possibilities.

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So... I Switched Rooms

Okay... so I know I said my other room was a keeper and that I was okay with having a long, narrow room smaller than everyone else's as long as I got a real closet instead of those bulky freestanding wardrobes. But I changed my mind.

As my "things to take to college" pile up (three chests of plastic drawers, two storage ottomans, one futon, one vanity, two folding stools, etc etc etc), I began secretly fretting to myself that my long, narrow dorm room would end being a crowded cave. So I decided that if a larger room in my dorm building were to open up, I would take it. I signed on the other day to see if anything had opened up... and voila! Something was open... on the next floor up. A room roughly 12x13... and on the corner of the building! Two windows on the north wall and two windows on the west wall. This is exciting because my bedroom at home only has one wall facing south. Now I get to see the sunset every evening! Oh, and some other pluses: I'm next-door to the den, which means I have easy access to the kitchenette as opposed to being all the way down the hall from it. I'm also closer to the stairs, elevator, and bathroom. Now I have an extra 30-or-so square feet to work with. That's a pretty big difference.

Now to figure out my furniture arrangement. ;)

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Photo-Display Ideas

(Small Fox in a Big World)

(Small Fox in a Big World)

(Mundo Flo)

(abbey*christine)

(hummerdieb)

(kimmy racoony)

(alt text)

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Summer To-Do: Stick Your Nose In a Book

(modern belle by genne-greasley)

If you're like me, you have stacks of books lying around your home. There are books I've read and loved, books I've read and loathed, books I couldn't finish, and books I have yet to stick my nose in. While I can't bear to part with several beloved pageturners, there are several books that I'm more than willing to get rid of. Here's the thing though: I don't want to just toss them out. I don't want to throw them into a garage sale or take them to a used bookstore where they might sit and collect dust. I want them to end up in the deserving hands of a reader who really wants to read that particular book.

My mom introduced me to PaperBack Swap this evening. And, oh! what a great website it is. It's rather simple.

Here's how it works. You list a bunch of books on the site. If you're the first member in your household to list 10 books, you get 2 free credits right off the bat. (My mom beat me to it... so I didn't get those credits.) But if you do get the 2 free book credits, you can order 2 books right away--free of charge--and have them mailed directly to you. No strings attached. No gimmicks. No spam. Nothing.

When another member of the site selects one of your books that you've listed, you mail the book to them. You pay for the postage, but in return you get a free book credit and can select a book that you want. So then another member returns the favor and mails you one of their books free of charge. For every book you mail out, you get another one in return.

When someone requests one of your books, all you have to do is print two pieces of regular paper from your printer which includes the mailing address and the recommended postage. Apply the postage and drop it in the mail. For typical paperbacks, you don't even need to venture to the post office.

If you love to read and save money at the same time, you've gotta check this out.

And if you do decide to sign up, please use the following link:

Swap Your Used Books - PaperBackSwap.com

If you use the link above to join, I'll get a free book when you post your first 10 books. (And you'll still get 2 free books for posting those 10!)

Get swapping, bookworms!

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P.S. I'm not being paid money to advertise PaperBackSwap.com on my blog. The only reward I get would be a book credit from having someone like you sign up and mention me as a referral. I'm sharing about this website because it's something I think is really great. It's a win-win for readers around the world to be able to share books. It'll free up space on your bookshelf and get your nose into a new pageturner.

Wall-papered Dorm

(image from Antique Dog Photos)

Oh, I do wish that I were allowed to wallpaper the dorm room walls like they did in the good ol' days. :) I do not know an exact year for this photo, but judging by the coiffure and full-length attire... I'm guess these gals are from the early 20th Century.

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30 Day Countdown!!

Today I visited campus with my mom, brother, and sister to take care of some last minute business and to get a feel for the town. We found Target, Wal-Mart, some grocery stores, and the antique store... plus tons of great places to eat. During the trip I suddenly realized that I only have a month before my move-in day. How crazy is that?! Hasn't this summer gone so fast?

So starting today on July 15, Miss Novelistic will be counting down the thirty days before move-in day... ultimately ending up at August 15, which is the day before I move into my dorm. These next thirty days will be full of two kinds of posts: 1) Posts about how to make the most of yoru summer before it's gone. And 2) Posts about last-minute college related things like dorm decor, checking off the checklist, and getting in the back-to-school mindset.

After these thirty days are up, it's good-bye to summertime and hello to college life! Here at Miss Novelistic, you'll start seeing a lot more posts relating to campus life, dorm decor, studying tips, and my own personal college experiences.

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Design Your Dorm

As move-in day looms nearer and nearer for college students around the country, it's time to really kick into gear when it comes to your dorm. So I thought I'd share DesignYourDorm.com with you. As their website states:

"DesignYourDorm.com is a web-based 3-D interior design tool that allows college students to customize their dorm room interiors and purchase their favorite room selections online."

Registration is free. Once you're registered, you can select your dorm room from a menu. DYD has tons of actual dorm room plans from colleges around the country already in their database. That means you'll get an idea of the square footage, furniture, and space you'll be dealing with. You can then add furniture, decor, accessories, organization features, and much more. Plus, you can purchase all those things right there at DYD. It's definitely worth checking out and really fun to play around with if you're like me and enjoy creating all possible furniture arrangement possibilities. ;)

Check out some of these example plans that I found on the DesignYourDorm Flickr page.

Pretty cool, eh? Click here to venture on over and try it out.

Oh, and don't be intimidated! DYD is a really easy site to navigate and use. You'll figure it out in no time. :)

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Check... Check... And Check!

Hello and how are your checklists coming? It's officially about 34 days until I move-in! Let me tell you, I am so glad I started buying things for college a LONG time ago. My family and friends might have thought I was crazy back in February when I bought a ton of pretty plates, bowls, and silverware on clearance at Target. And in March when I ordered my orange convertible sofa from Target. And in April when I bought a couple plastic chests of drawers, two turquoise storage ottomans, and several decor items. And even in May when I went a little crazy over some throw pillows and multi-headed floor lamp. But, boy, is it paying off. I recently purchased a fan (on sale!) and some twin-xl bedsheets. Along with all the stuff I already own, I'm really on my way to having this checklist all checked off.

I have turquoise bedsheets for my bed now and have decided to bring a solid brown comforter that I already own here at home. I thought it would be wise to bring in something neutral considering all the bright colors I have going on (...turquoise, orange, green). I'm still needing two things for the bed: 1) A plastic mattress cover. I just like to have something between my sheets and the god-only-knows-how-old-and-how-many-people-slept-on-it mattress. 2) A foam mattress cover. A nice layer of soft, squishy foam will make the plastic protector unnoticeable... and make my bed oh-so-comfortable.

Now for appliances. In my building, each dorm comes furnished with a mini-fridge already. So that's a big expense crossed off the list. I've decided against bringing a microwave... at first, anyway. I will have a meal-plan and will be eating most of my meals in a dining hall. And when I will be eating in my dorm, very scarcely will I be scarfing down a microwaveable meal. Even thinking back to my first time in a dorm, I think I only used the microwave once or twice during an entire semester. Plus, there's a full kitchen on each floor of my dorm building. So I'll have a stove or microwave just down the hall to use whenever I need. I'm just gonna go without a microwave to begin with. I can always change my mind.

One little appliance I will be bring for sure is a toaster. Toast. Bagels. Pop-tarts. Waffles. There's so much you can do with a toaster and I think I'd get a lot more use out of a toaster than a microwave. I'm currently undecided on whether or not to bring a coffee-maker. I wouldn't call myself a big coffee-drinker or anything... except during NaNoWriMo and when I'm writing. I suppose that when I am in the mood to write, I could always go buy a cup from the coffee shop. (I've been told my dorm is located near one of the best coffee shops in the state!) Plus, I don't really want to become a big coffee drinker. It's just fine to drink it while I write, but I don't want to start drinking it everyday just because I have a coffee-maker in the room. So I think I'll just add the coffee-maker to the same list as the microwave---I'll go without it at first and could always change my mind and hit up Walmart.

I still need a TON of supplies. When it comes to school supplies, all I have purchased so far is three five-subject notebooks that I found in pretty colors. ;) As for pencils, pens, note-cards, etc... I still have to get those. I'll need cleaning supplies. I'll need laundry supplies. And I'll need the basic bath, body, and beauty supplies. But mostly all of these supplies are inexpensive when bought individually. So if I keep buying a little here and there, I should be stocked up in no time!

Good luck with your checklists!

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6 Savvy Guides to College

U Chic: The College Girl's Guide to Everything
by Christie Garton

Synopsis: U Chic is the ultimate girls' guide to college life, from UniversityChic.com - the #1 online resource and community network for college women.

Biography: Christie Garton, a recent graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Law, is an award-winning social entrepreneur. She has served as a columnist for the CollegeJournal.com, and been published in the Wall Street Journal.

Excerpt from Chapter One: Getting Started

Put an End to Homesickness!
Allison Davis, Barnard College

I fear change-and college is a big change. So it was no surprise that I spent the majority of my summer before college freaking out about the thought of being in a new place without my friends, without my boyfriend, without my family. As if preparing for a coming storm, I went around buying everything that I could think of to start a "home" emergency kit-a stash of items that would remind me of home when I was stuck in a tiny dorm room. Why wouldn't I? In my mind, the dorm was that weird place that conjured up images of girls-gone-wild meets summer camp. I even went so far as to ask my mother to get custom-made bedding inspired by my bedding at home. Sadly, she declined, so to cope I instead bought dorm accessories with the same purple and gold color scheme as my childhood bedroom.

Well, despite all of my numerous breakdowns in the Target store, my first week of college was fine. I think I even had fun during first week's orientation! The wonderful thing about orientation is that they keep you busy with so many activities that you forget to be homesick. And most of these activities are the special kind of lame that have you instantly bonding with members of your orientation group just to survive. Voila! Instant friendships.

A Girl's Guide to College: Making the
Most of the Best four Years of Your Life
by Traci Maynigo

Synopsis: Don't fret, ladies, this guide will tell you everything you need to know about getting through the best four years of your life. It's got the basics that your mom would want you to know, like how to do your laundry, how to manage your money, and how to survive your classes. But it'll also spill the juice on the things you care about, like how to make your shoebox of a dorm room into your own little castle, how to keep fit and stay healthy, how to throw a great party, and how to deal with guys and sex (two things that for some reason are difficult to handle separately). It's a guide just for you girls, written by a girl who's been there.

Reader Review:

"This book is written for college students by a recent college grad. I wish there were books like this when I went to college! Traci Maynigo covers what girls want to know about surviving college and what they might not know to ask. She covers the basics and more from packing lists, managing your finances, guys, surviving classes, and getting along with your roommates. Also included is pratical advice on dealing with depression, exercising, the party scene, and so much more. It would make a great gift for a any girl on her way to college." 4/5 Stars.

The Doctor's Complete Girls' Health Guide:
From Sex to Drugs to the Freshman 15
by Jennifer Wider

Synopsis: Dr. Jennifer Wider has networked with college girls around the country to find out the information they needed most. Here are answers to all your questions about: •Sexuality and birth control •Eating disorders •Sleep problems •Weight management •Pap smears and gynecological health •Protecting yourself against STDs •Handling depression, anxiety, loneliness, and stress •Treating PMS, PMDD, yeast and urinary tract infections •Drugs and addiction •Proper diet and nutrition •Surviving spring break •Navigating the college health center •And much more

Biography: Jennifer Wider is a doctor, author, and radio personality who specializes in women's health issues. She is the medical advisor to the Society for Women's Health Research and hosts a weekly health segment on Sirius Satellite Radio for Cosmopolitan magazine's radio channel. Dr. Wider is on the medical advisory board for Cosmopolitan Magazine and has been frequently published in newspapers, magazines and Web sites across the country. She lives with her physician husband, and their daughter and son, in Fairfield County, Connecticut.

Reader Review:

"I didn't know how much I'd like this book when I bought it, but I couldn't find anything else like it. I wasn't let down at all. This is an awesome health guide that covers anything you can think of. I am about to start my sophomore year and I wish I had this last year. Already, I've experienced many issues that this book clearly addresses and offers really solid advice for. My roommate was very homesick last year, and I know she'd benefit from this book too. I am definitely going to recommend it to my friends!" 5/5 Stars.

College Cooking: Feed Yourself and Your Friends
by Megan & Jill Carle

Synopsis: You have a midterm tomorrow and a fierce growl in your stomach. Your roommate just nabbed your last cup o' ramen. Do you: (A) Ignore your stomach and brew another pot of coffee? (B) Break out the PB&J? (C) Order pizza—again? (D) Make a quick trip to the grocery store? The answer's D, and College Cooking is the only study guide you'll need.Sisters Megan and Jill Carle know all about leaving a well-stocked kitchen to face an empty apartment fridge with little time to cook and very little money. They practically grew up in their parents' kitchen, but even that didn't prepare them for braving the supermarket aisles on their own. That's why they wrote COLLEGE COOKING—to share the tips and tricks they've learned while feeding themselves between late-night studying, papers, parties, and other distractions.Starting with kitchen basics, Megan and Jill first cover ingredients, equipment, and other prereqs for cooking a decent meal.

Biography: Megan Carle and Jill Carle are both graduate students at Arizona State University. They published their first cookbook, TEENS COOK, while Jill was still in high school, and followed up with TEENS COOK DESSERT and COLLEGE COOKING.

Review from Judith Sutton - Library Journal:

"Although the Carle sisters are the authors of two earlier cookbooks, Teens Cookand Teens Cook Dessert, they found that preparing a meal in a dorm or a first apartment is quite different from cooking in Mom's well-stocked kitchen. Their new book starts with kitchen and pantry basics, then moves on to easy recipes grouped into chapters such as "Survival Cooking," "Cheap Eats," and "Impressing Your Date." Recipe instructions are unintimidating and clear, and many include vegetarian options and other variations. There are other books on this topic, but the attractive design and color photographs, as well as the fact that the authors are students themselves, make this one particularly appealing. For any library serving students and other large collections."

The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other
Issues You Might Run Into in College

by Harlan Cohen

Synopsis: (From School Library Journal) A hilarious and truthful book that gives high school students a look at college life, beginning with "Arriving on Campus" and ending with "It's Almost Time to Say Goodbye." In between, Cohen covers homesickness, laundry, Greek life, sex ("Having It, Not Having It, Hearing Other People Having It"), alcohol, cafeteria food, roommates, making it to class on time (and what happens if you don't). The author talks frankly about "Hook Ups," "One-Night Stands," and STDs. Each topic includes a "Harlan Tip," accompanied by a true story from a college student. The advice is sound; the tone is light.-Marianne Fitzgerald, Severna Park High School, MD Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Biography: Harlan Cohen is one of the most widely read and respected syndicated columnists for people in their teens and twenties. His column, "Help Me, Harlan!" is distributed by King Features Syndicate, and appears in more than 75 newspapers, including the Dallas Morning News and Seattle Times. He is the author of Campus Life Exposed. Harlan regularly tours college campuses giving presentations to orientation groups. He lives in Chicago.

Reader Review:

"The Naked Roommate explains what every college student really wants to know, but never asks. What's different about this selection is that the 'nakedness' really is true. You walk into this experience COMPLETELY NAKED! I was a first generation college student, so this book had information that I could remember learning on the spot, on my own and some situations with other friends/fraternity brothers. It's an outstanding example of 'the college student!'" 5/5 Stars.

WTF? College: How to Survive 101 of
Campus' Worst F*#!-ing Situations
by Gregory Bergman & Jodi Miller

Synopsis: Like Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School, we're heading to campus to lend a helping hand to all those college kids who can't quite make the grade. Inside they'll find hilarious solutions to all the obstacles that lie between them and that elusive diploma. From indecisions about major selection to problems picking up that hot classmate to cramming for finals, this book covers all the awful, awkward, and annoying instances that would have college students IMing, posting, or texting: "WTF?" Be it in the dorm room or classroom, during finals week or spring break, campus's most f*#!-ed-up situations are handled in this entertaining step-by-step guide.

Biography: Gregory Bergman (Los Angeles, CA) is a writer and comedian based in Los Angeles, California. He received his B.A. in philosophy from Hunter College (haven't heard of it—WTF?), and is the author of WTF?, -isms, and Bizzwords. He could teach a course on surviving college, but where's the f*#!-ing fun in that. Jodi Miller (Los Angeles, CA) is a comedian and guest commentator on CNN's Showbiz Tonight and Hollywood 411, and will appear on Comics Unleashed later this year. Ms. Miller is also a writer for the Cinemax series Co-Ed Confidential.

Excerpt from Introduction: Welcome to F*#!-ing College:

"When you were a little kid, adults told you that those were the 'best days of your life.' Their reasoning: You didn't have to do shit for yourself and you had no responsibilities. Translation: You don't have to deal with a pain-in-the-ass kid like you. But the truth is that they were lying. Kid life, like adult life, sucks. While kids don't have to pay the bills, they do have to obey the people who do. But not anymore. In college, you now have the best of both worlds; you have limited responsibility and no one to boss you around. These really are the 'best days of your life.'"

All of these books are available through Barnes&Noble, so head on over and check 'em out for yourselves!

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A Big Fat Greek Decision

(click on image for original source.)

Greek life is a hugely popular aspect of college life and pop culture.

Revenge of the Nerds. The Skulls. Animal House. Legally Blonde. Sorority Boys. Little Sister. The Campus Corpse. Sorority Row (soon to be out in theatres). And one of my all-time favorite shows: Greek.

Due to movies, television, and popular belief... there are a lot of stereotypes attached to going Greek. Hazing rituals. Secret initiations. Beer-guzzling guys. Easy, ditzy girls. Wild parties. The list goes on and on. But while there may be truth attached to some stereotypes, it's important to look beyond the negative reputation of Greek life. Those stereotypes are not always true and there are many benefits to joining the Greek system.

I've received news and information regarding sororities and formal recruitment at Iowa State. Being that Greek is my weekly guilty pleasure (I can't wait for next season!) I heavily considered signing up for the formal recruitment this fall. I'll let you know my decision at the end of this post.

Here are three sources that helped me out a lot regarding my decision:

In her article "The pros and cons of going Greek" in Next Step Magazine, Liz Funk gave a balanced looks at both sides of the decision to join a fraternity or sorority.

The Pros:

~Lots of Networking Opportunities

"Many leaders have sprung from Greek organizations, including George W. Bush, Sheryl Crow and Katie Couric."

"Many people have gotten jobs because of people they met in their fraternity or sorority, and many fraternities and sororities churn out leaders in business and politics."

~Close Friendships

"Because members of Greek groups spend a significant amount of time together, from making breakfast to sharing bedrooms, the bond that sisters and brothers make is often incredibly strong."

"...choose a sorority or fraternity based on your compatibility with other students, values and programming."

~Campus Involvement

"Fraternity parties and sorority fund-raisers tend to draw hundreds of students at campuses big on Greek life. Greek organizations also organize trips and formal dinner dances throughout the year."

The Cons:

~Employers May Not Care

"Involvement in a sorority or fraternity can be intensely time-consuming, especially if you are involved in a leadership position. So if your main goal is résumé building, you might be better off joining major-related activities."

~Money Matters

"At some schools, living in the fraternity or sorority house is cheaper than on-campus housing or your own off-campus apartment. But fraternity and sorority dues can neutralize the money saved by living in the house."

~Questionable Activities

"It is both a truth and a stereotype that sororities and fraternities are involved in more drinking, drug use, academic dishonesty and sex-related crimes."

"Hazing is a dangerous (and illegal) activity. And campuses like Texas A&M, which Zuniga says has a “zero tolerance” policy for hazing, are cracking down on some of the more scandalous fraternity and sorority antics."

To read Liz Funk's full article on going Greek, click here.

Rochester City Newspaper featured Jessica Bakeman's article "Student Survival '08: The pros and cons to fraternity/sorority life." Here are some snippets from the article:

"...fraternity and sorority life isn't about the drinking and partying shown in the movie "Old School," or the shallow relationships exhibited in the TV series "GRΣΣK." It's about learning and leadership."

"It's really about... the personal development, the value-based action that students participate in and gain - creating communities and providing an opportunity for students to get involved."

"There are time commitments that may be too demanding for some students, and which could have a negative effect on a student's grades if time management isn't his or her particular skill."

"The most important advice for potential Greeks: do your research."

"There's usually a financial requirement that must be considered before you make any kind of commitment. Fraternity and sorority chapters support themselves by charging members dues."

"...hazing is not only what you might picture, such as students being pressured into chugging alcohol, for example. Some frats and sororities haze new members in a variety of other ways that may seem less harsh, or more subtle."

"Hazing ranges from new members being ignored or forced into performing meaningless or ridiculous activities, to actions that can cause physical or emotional harm, such as sleep deprivation or personal servitude."

To read Jessica Bakeman's full article on the choice to join a Greek system, click here.

This last source is actually a forum topic I came across on And You Will. Mary David listed her pros and cons of Greek Life.

The pros include networking, leadership skills, and a sense of belonging.

"As a member of a large group, you’ll have lots of opportunity to network. You’ll be able to find out about campus opportunities like job openings or events that your fellow members can give you the heads up on. This built-in network often extends beyond the college years and lead to future opportunities as well. You’ll also be able to learn valuable leadership skills that will help you to interact in various social situations and provide you with skills employers are looking for."

"By being in a group such as a fraternity or sorority, you'll find that you always have someone to grab a meal with or call when you're looking for something to do."

"The friends that you make in your Greek organization can last a lifetime; I've experienced this!"

The cons include cliques, costs involved, and group mentality.

"With any group, cliques are inevitable. These close-knit groups can exclude or ostracize others. Despite the fact that the sorority or fraternity is its own group, don’t fool yourself into thinking that everyone within its bounds will be best friends. These group dynamics can be stressful and cause pain."

"It does cost money to be a part of a Greek organization. There are usually annual membership costs or dues. Certain attire will be required for events like initiation or Greek Sing. And don’t forget about the formals. While it's tons of fun to get dressed up, travel to a destination, and stay in a hotel, it can be very expensive."

"If you have a strong personality and value individuality, Greek life may not be for you. It can be hard to conform to some aspects of being in a sorority or fraternity, like pledging or the various rituals involved. That doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy being a member of one of these organizations, but it’s important to know that these dynamics do exist."

To see the rest of Mary David's opinion on Greek life, click here.

And now for my decision...

I thought a lot about what I want out of my college experience and visited the Greek page of ISU's website several times. I've ultimately decided that (as much as I enjoy watching Greek) joining a sorority isn't for me. My reasons:

1. The time commitment really scares me away. I'm going to have a very full class schedule with lots of homework. I also want/need to make time to have a job. (Gotta keep the money comin' in somehow.) School and work will keep me busy enough. I'm a person who really cherishes alone time so that I can read and write. Furthermore, I'd like to find a way to get involved in some theatre while at ISU. Rehearsals are super demanding and time-consuming. Even I'd have one heck of a social life as a sorority girl, I don't think it's worth sacrificing my personal life.
   
2. The financial obligation isn't that appealing. Tuition, books, transportation, room & board, and living expenses add up fast. College is expensive enough as it is without having to add on sorority dues. I plan on having a job while in school to make a little extra cash, but I think that cash will be better spent on groceries, school supplies, or personal things (like a little shopping trip or night on the town) than dished out to the Greek system.
3. I don't want to live in a sorority house. Those big, gorgeous, often historic homes that Greeks get to call home... yes, the very site of them makes me giddy with decor ideas and "If Walls Could Talk Episodes". But it stops there. Nothing about living with a houseful of all girls, sleeping in a cold-air, and the other perks of such residence appeals to me. I'm much happier with my own room in a residence hall... or maybe an apartment down the road. And while I realize that it's not always required to live in the sorority house, I think that's an important aspect of Greek life that would be missed out on. If you're not gonna live there, why join in the first place?
   

So there will be no Greek life for me... except on ABC Family Monday nights. ;)

Good luck with your big, fat, Greek decisions! Make sure to research your university and access your personal values and goals when it comes to making the choice.

Amore.

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