I HAVE gotten into every class I ever wanted to take at this university each semester; however, this is not a common claim made by most students. If you have not yet registered for classes, you soon will meet ISIS, the daunting class registration system. Most likely, you will become frustrated by the classes already filled with upperclassmen. But don't fret, all is not lost.
If you have the patience to stalk professors or to attend about 30 hours of classes in your first week hoping that upperclassmen playing hooky will create vacancies, you may get into every class you want. But if not, this may be one of your first challenges during your first year. Look forward to this as one of your first opportunities to explore the University's offerings and yourself in greater depth.
So tackle the Course Offering Directory and go crazy at the student activities fair. Explore classes and organizations that are unknown but interesting to you; however, don't work to simply bulk up your resume or tofollow a so-called "pre-Lawn" curriculum. A concept of the Lawn involves humble service, so doing things just to try to get there is transparent and self-defeating. Work to eventually narrow your involvement in orderto focus on things you truly enjoy. Through focused involvement, you can define yourself in a smaller community at the University.
Reflecting on my University experiences, I am confident that my experiences in the sorority community will serve me beyond my four years in Charlottesville. The sorority system has evolved to encompass many different types of women with various interests. It is a system that strives to cater to the concerns of women at this university. There currently are four sororities governed by the Black Fraternal Council and four sororities governed by the Multi-Cultural Greek Council. With 16 sororities governed by the Inter-Sorority Council, and involvement of approximately 33 percent of undergraduate women, the ISC is the largest women's organization on Grounds.
Why have so many women chosen to be a part of a sorority? The responses to such a question are as varied as the women who comprise the system. Perhaps it is the greater sense of community that sororities provide at the University. This community provides opportunities for social interaction as well as for leadership, service, scholastic excellence and sisterhood.
I like to think of ISC sororities as a support system that encourages excellence in whatever you choose to do at the University. Within this community I found an upperclassman who showed me the way to the Commerce School; I discovered a leader with true humility; and I found a friend who taught me how to really dance. My college experience was enriched because of these Greek community members.
I urge you to take full advantage of your opportunities here and to remember that new challenges result in new experiences. Although ISIS may triumph over your class choices, venturing away from your pre-med or pre-comm curriculum surely will prove to enrich your perspective. The decision to participate in Greek Recruitment is a wonderful way to enhance your University experience. But no matter where your interests lie, I hope you find that your time at the University is most fulfilling.
(Whitney Eck is the president of the Inter-Sorority Council)
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