Between winter and spring break, a lot changes for second-semester freshmen. Second semester is an adjustment as it is because we have to come back to school and adjust to new classes after being home for a month. Winter break was the first time I had ever been home for that long with nothing to do and returning to a routine was definitely something to get used to. When I got back to school, I had to quickly become reacquainted with my time management skills because of how rush and pledging restricted my schedule.

Balancing my new sisters and old friends was a new challenge for me, as everyone I was friends with first semester was also making new friends within their sororities. I was frequently at the house and most of my free time was spent either doing homework or getting to know my sisters so figuring out when to see my first semester friends was not exactly on my radar. However, I realized that as much as I loved my new sorority, losing my friendships from first semester was something that I did not want to happen but I couldn’t figure out when I had the time to fix that.

As spring break drew nearer, my time spent at the house decreased especially after initiation and I realized my dilemma. I have to figure out how to maintain friendships from two different aspects of my life and coming back to school for the remainder of the year is going to test my management skills but I think it is totally possible.

For anyone who is scared to join a different sorority than their first semester friends for fear of losing them, take it from the girl who is still best friends with the same people she was even though they’re in 3 different sororities... It definitely takes some effort but the people who are meant to be in your life will be. I know that it is still the beginning of this adjustment but real friendships can withstand not being in the same place 24/7.

Spring break is a turning point for second-semester freshmen because there is so much more free time than there was before. School has to become a priority again and now friendships will not be forced to happen. Anything that you want to happen will only happen if you focus your energy on it. I know that I can no longer avoid studying because pledging is over and I know that there are lots of friendships that I need to continue to work on, both old and new. Spring break is a nice relaxer but it is definitely a reminder that the next six weeks cannot be wasted because before I know it, finals will be here and I’ll be wishing to be back at school again.