We have to accept the fact that we live in a society that is stressed out and so fast paced that sometimes we feel like we are running in place and not able to keep up. We have all felt overwhelmed and have subsequently developed coping techniques to deal with our stressors. If you were to ask the person next to you what they do to release that built up stress at the end of the day, common answer would include spending time on Facebook, calling a friend, listening to music on an iPod, etc.

Take a moment and try to decipher the common element in each of those answers. That common element that seems to be the glue that holds our social and personal lives in tact is technology. While it is excellent that most people (especially the teenage generation) are available twenty four/seven, is our society abusing the power and the ease of correspondence?

For people who claim to be “best friends,” most exchange I see is between two screens of a computer rather than a face-to-face conversation. I understand that it is not uncommon to go out of state for college and that using a computer is the only option that is available, but what about those that live in the same neighborhood or city, or even on the same street, that chose to tip-tap away on their phone or keyboard rather than having a real conversation?

I got my first phone at 14 and was giddy with excitement. I was about on par for the average age to get a cell phone and could barely contain myself yet again a few months later when I sent my first text. I felt so cool because it was the new to me at the time and was genuinely appreciative for what I had available.

Now I walk through the aisles of Wal-Mart, or any store for that matter, and see kids that cannot be older than the age of 11 with nicer phones than I even have now! Okay, maybe I really am just jealous, but this truly does concern me. What is to become of the next generation whenever they aren’t forced to have the experience of personal interaction with the person they are conversing with because it is so much easier to text?

Do not misunderstand me, it is imperative for functionality to have technology like smart phones and Facebook for businesses to survive, and for those in long distance relationships to converse. However, I implore you to take a second and pause the next time you prepare to send a text. Could you call that person and talk and hear them instead, or better yet invite them for coffee or dinner to catch up? Don’t sacrifice personal interaction with fellow friends or colleges just because it might be easier or more convenient.

Story by Bobbie Jo Ridenhour, Staff Writer

Hindsight is always in crystal-clear, twenty-twenty vision. This is not exactly a new concept, for everyone at some point or other in their lives has regretted a decision and thought, “What was I thinking?”

I very recently learned the hard way that when it comes to picking your professors or a class, even for a required pre-requisite or general education requirement, it is important to think long and hard about whether or not this is the right fit for you. If you go ahead and take the decision lightly, like I did, and chose not to ask around and get a feel for a certain professor’s teaching style, you could find yourself out a lot of money and facing the possibility of needing to pay again and retake a class at a time that is much less convenient for you.

I was able to remedy the situation with my wonderful advisor and drop the class that was giving me trouble; however, some aren’t so lucky and this is reflected heavily in their GPA  

This idea of doing your metaphorical “homework” and taking the time to research the major, career, or any other life changing decision, will pay off in ways you cannot even imagine. Choosing to do simple acts like shadowing someone in your prospective career to see what a real day in the life of what you want to live is like can be extremely eye-opening.

From the time I was six years old up until my senior year of high school, I wanted to go to law school. I was dead set on it and nothing could change my mind. I felt that way until the day I decided to take my high school up on the offer to go to the city and spend some time at a law office. I saw the legal system at work, and in horror, realized that my whole perfect life plan that I had was not going to work out at all. I realized couldn’t stand one second more in that office. I could never make that my profession.

I spent the subsequent few weeks in a mental turmoil of sorts, wrestling with the idea that what I pictured in my mind was not real at all. As bad as I felt, I saw the bright side. Even though I would have to change my major and everything else I had laid out in my life, it was better to find out then while I still had the chance to change rather than making the enormously expensive decision on my first day of law school.

It surprises me to no end that more people don’t take the time to do research on their teachers and careers. The invaluable information of simply asking the person next to you if they liked their professor might just save your GPA and allow you to continue on to a graduate school or at least allow you to make the excellent grades to land your dream job.

Once you have established yourself as a serious student and are sure this is indeed the career path you wish to follow, then take the time to volunteer and shadow someone in the profession you want.

Story by Bobbie Jo Ridenhour, Staff Writer

For most people who look into joining a sorority, there is a tendency to be weary or put off by media coverage of the hazing, cattiness, and hostility exhibited between the girls behind each others’ backs, or the generalization of the ditzy stereotypical sorority girl. This is not anywhere to be found in Phi Sigma Sigma.

The very first thing that you will see when you type “www.phisigmasigma.org” into the address bar of your browser is this phrase: “We are a dynamic, principled, passionately committed group of women from around the world who define ourselves not by our distinct differences, but by what we have in common.”

I have been a proud member of Phi Sigma Sigma for over a year now and could not say that I enjoy much anything more than the bond and the sisterhood of a group of girls I can honestly say that I would trust with anything. What helps bring us together is the history of such a historic and dynamic organization.

It all started back in 1913, when a group of women in New York were disheartened because they were not going to be allowed into the same sororities simply because of their religious affiliation. Thus, the formation of Phi Sigma Sigma began, and it grew from there into something so substantial that I doubt even the 10 founders knew what they had created. The official site states that “now more than 60,000 members strong, our sisters are mothers, family and community leaders, professionals of the highest caliber, role models, wives, daughters, and the closest of friends. All that is eternally good and strong and loyal and honest and powerful and beautiful in them is what Phi Sigma Sigma stands for.”

We are a strong sisterhood, but it is not just about the bonds that we form. It is also about giving back to those less fortunate than us. The reason that interested women need not worry about being forced to do uncomfortable things to be initiated like the scenes from many mainstream Hollywood movies is because Phi Sigma Sigma is a philanthropic sorority. We are an organization that truly cares and raises money for those who cannot always help themselves.

Our main cause is focused on is the NKF, or the National Kidney Foundation. We raise and donate money to many other organizations as well, such the “Take Back the Night” event in April, which raises money for the Family Services Association.

It is hard to put into so few words all this sorority means to me, or all that we do, so interested women can contact Phi Sigma Sigma’s president, Lindsay Brewer, at lcbrewer@iuk.edu for more information.

Story by Bobbie Jo Ridenhour, Staff Writer