Looking for tips on getting an internship in college? You’re in the right place!

Having an internship in college is a great way to boost your resume and get valuable work experience in your future career.

Summer internships are the most common arrangement for college students, although you may also be able to find an internship during the academic year as well.

Landing an internship can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible!

Who am I to offer this advice? I had four paid internships throughout college. I landed my first internship during the fall of my sophomore year and it was at a Fortune 500 broadcasting company. Then I had two summer internships at a Fortune 50 consumer goods company. Finally, I had an internship at a software startup company.

When I graduated college, I received a full-time offer from a Big Four consulting firm, so it’s safe to say my internship experience paid off.

These are tips I followed to get my internships during college that you can do too:

1. Take advantage of your university’s career resources.

Most universities have a career center with tons of resources available to students looking for internships. However, many students have no idea these resources even exist, and miss out on the advantages they can offer.

Here are some common career resources your university may offer:

• On-campus career fairs
• On-campus recruiting events
• Free one-on-one resume help
• Free mock interview prep
• Connections with alumni

I landed three of my four internships through my university’s career resources and connections.

2. Make the most of personal connections.

You might be surprised how many personal connections you have who can help you in your internship search, whether it’s connecting you with someone who works at the company or referring you for an internship position.

Some examples of people you know who may be able to connect you with an opportunity:

• Older students or alumni from clubs and organizations you’re a member of
• Family members and friends of family members
• Acquaintances such as neighbors or former teachers

Reach out to everyone you know and express that you’re looking for an internship. You never know how it might pay off! The way I found one of my college internships was through a girl in my sorority who was working for a company that was looking for more interns. (My sorority also led me to three additional non-internship part-time jobs in college!)

3. Pay attention to deadlines and cast a wide net.

The summer internship recruiting season starts as early as the fall for many companies. (There’s also usually a spring recruiting season as well.)

To increase your chances of landing an internship, start planning early and note down application deadlines so you don’t miss applying to your dream job.

It’s also a good idea to cast a wide net when you apply for internships. I didn’t keep detailed records, but I probably applied for 20+ internships each season.

I did keep records when applying for full-time jobs before I graduated college, and out of 30 applications I got four interviews and one offer!

The more internships you apply for, the better your chances become of landing one.

4. Prepare scenarios for interview questions.

Almost every internship interview will contain behavioral interview questions. 

You should familiarize yourself with more common behavioral questions so you know what to expect. But rather than rehearsing answers to specific questions, I recommend preparing a handful of scenarios you can discuss and apply to various different questions.

Think about times in your college life where you have shown leadership, teamwork, or some other skill. You can draw from experiences including:

• Previous work experience
• Campus organizations or clubs
• Volunteer work you’ve done
• Study abroad experience
• Group projects you’ve led in class

Once you have some scenarios in mind, it will be much easier to answer behavioral interview questions on the spot.

5. Use the STAR method for answering interview questions.

The STAR method is an easy shortcut you can follow to give amazing answers to behavioral interview questions.

Here’s what it stands for:

• Situation
• Task
• Action 
• Result

You can use this model to answer just about any interview question. The great thing about following the STAR method is that it prevents you from rambling and helps you focus on answering the question in a clear and dynamic way.

6. Be professional following an interview.

There are two things I did after every interview in college.

First, if it was an in-person interview, I gave my interviewer one of my business cards. Yes, I had business cards as a college student!

The career prep class I took in college required everyone to get business cards made. It costs less than $20 to get a big set printed, and it’s a worthwhile investment.

Every time I handed my interviewer a business card, they were always really impressed. In fact, at one of my internships, I was told they ended up choosing me over other candidates because I was the only one with business cards and it stuck out to them.

The other thing I did was connect with my interviewer on LinkedIn within a couple hours of the interview. I would just send them a connection request with a brief message thanking them for their time during the interview.

Two simple things that can really leave a good impression!

Getting Your Dream Internship in College

I hope these tips help you land your dream internship in college!

Remember, there are multiple summers during college (and you can always find fall and spring internships too) so don’t get too stressed about finding an internship.

Even if it doesn’t work out with an internship one summer, there are so many great summer jobs for college students that you can do instead.

Be persistent and don’t give up, and you will be able to land an amazing internship!

Related Posts:

• How To Create An Impressive Resume As A Student
• Where To Put Study Abroad On Resume
• 26 Summer Job Ideas For College Students

The post 6 Tips For Getting An Internship In College appeared first on Sincerely Students.

For many, it’s a moment of great pride and excitement, a gateway to the next chapter of their lives—whether that be entering the workforce, pursuing further education, or embarking on new adventures.

As a loved one of the graduate, you may be wondering how much money is appropriate to give as a graduation gift.

The answer depends on several factors, including your relationship with the graduate, your personal financial situation, and how comfortable you are giving a cash gift versus something more personal.

In this post, I’ll break down different scenarios and considerations to help you decide on the right amount.

1. Consider the Graduate’s Needs and Future Plans

College graduates often face a wide range of expenses after leaving school, and your gift could help them with this transition.

Some are entering the workforce and will need to cover rent, bills, or even a security deposit for their first apartment. Others might be continuing their education and could use funds to help with graduate school fees, textbooks, or general living expenses.

Take into account the graduate’s current situation. If you know they have financial needs, your monetary gift could be more impactful.

For example, $500 could cover a month of rent or go toward buying professional attire for interviews.

If the graduate already has a stable financial outlook, a smaller amount might still convey your support and encouragement without the pressure of providing for immediate financial needs.

2. Average Graduation Gift Amounts by Relationship

One of the key factors in deciding how much money to give is your relationship with the graduate. Close family members, like parents, grandparents, or siblings, often give larger gifts, while extended family members or friends may give smaller amounts.

• Parents: Parents typically give between $100 to $500 or more, depending on their financial situation and how they prefer to celebrate the occasion. Some parents might even choose to make a larger gesture, such as helping with a down payment on a car or contributing to student loan payments.
• Grandparents: Grandparents often give in the $50 to $200 range, though some might choose to give a more generous gift if they’re financially able.
• Siblings: Siblings might contribute anywhere from $25 to $100, depending on their own income and age. Younger siblings, for instance, may want to give a smaller, heartfelt gift, while older siblings with established careers may choose to give more.
• Extended family members: Aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives typically give in the $25 to $100 range, with closer relatives leaning toward the higher end.
• Friends: If you’re a friend of the graduate, a gift of $20 to $50 is usually seen as appropriate. Friends tend to focus more on sentimental gifts, so a small amount of cash or a thoughtful token can be just as meaningful.

3. Your Own Financial Situation

It’s essential to consider your own financial situation when deciding how much to give. While it might be tempting to match what others are giving, it’s important to give within your means.

The graduate will appreciate the gesture regardless of the amount, and there’s no need to stretch your finances to make a larger gift.

If you’re in a position where giving a significant cash gift isn’t feasible, consider giving a smaller amount along with a thoughtful, personal gesture.

For example, you could include a handwritten letter offering your congratulations, career advice, or sharing a favorite memory with the graduate. Adding a personal touch to a smaller monetary gift can make it just as meaningful as a larger one.

5. Cash vs. Gifts: Which is Better?

While cash is a practical and versatile gift, it’s not the only option. Some people feel that cash is too impersonal and prefer to give something more thoughtful or personalized.

If you’re unsure, you could ask the graduate what they’d prefer, or you might find a way to combine the best of both worlds.

For example:

• Gift cards: If you know the graduate will be shopping for specific items (like professional attire, furniture, or electronics), a gift card to a relevant store can be useful. Many graduates appreciate gift cards to stores like Amazon, Target, or Best Buy.
• Experiential gifts: Instead of money, you might choose to gift an experience. A plane ticket, a weekend getaway, or a concert ticket can provide the graduate with a memorable way to celebrate their achievement.
• Personalized gifts: For those who prefer giving something with a personal touch, consider custom items like engraved jewelry, a framed photo, or a custom piece of artwork. These gifts can carry sentimental value and commemorate the occasion in a way that cash might not.

6. How to Present the Gift

Once you’ve decided on the amount, how you present the gift can add a meaningful touch. For cash gifts, consider putting the money in a card with a heartfelt note.

If you want to get creative, you could present the cash in a fun or unique way, like a decorative box or even a “money lei,” which has become a popular and festive way to give cash gifts.

For those giving gift cards, slip them into a thoughtful graduation card or pair them with a small item, like a congratulatory book, plant, or piece of jewelry.

It’s the thought behind the gift that counts, so even small touches can make a big impact.

7. Alternative Gift Ideas for Tight Budgets

If you’re on a tight budget, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate the graduate without breaking the bank. Some affordable yet thoughtful gift ideas include:

• A custom photo album or scrapbook: If you’re close to the graduate, create a scrapbook of memories from their college years, with photos, quotes, and mementos.
• A career-related book: Choose an inspirational book related to their chosen field or personal development, paired with a handwritten note offering encouragement for the next chapter of their life.
• Homemade treats or a dinner invite: For a more personal and budget-friendly option, offer to cook the graduate a celebratory meal or bake them a batch of their favorite cookies.

Conclusion

When deciding how much money to give as a college graduation gift, there’s no strict rule. The amount can vary depending on your relationship with the graduate, their financial situation, and your own budget.

Whether you choose to give a large sum or a smaller amount, the most important aspect is that your gift reflects your support and pride in their achievement.

Whether it’s money, a thoughtful gift, or a personalized gesture, the graduate will appreciate your recognition of their hard work and the exciting new chapter ahead.

Related Posts:

• 20 Best College Graduation Gifts For Him
• 20 Best College Graduation Gifts For Her
• 35 Best Disney Quotes For Graduates
• 55 Graduation Quotes And Sayings

The post How Much Money For A College Graduation Gift? appeared first on Sincerely Students.

Are you wondering how to avoid the freshman 15 in college?

The dreaded “freshman 15” refers to the 15 pounds that first-year college students often gain. The freshman 15 is caused by a variety of factors.

Not every freshman student will gain weight, and it might not be exactly 15 pounds, but this phenomenon is common enough that it does affect many students.

What Causes the Freshman 15?

Some of the things that can cause weight gain during your freshman year are:

• A change in eating habits: In college, you will suddenly have access to a dining hall where you can eat unlimited food all the time. This causes many students to up their portion sizes and eat larger meals.
• Increased snacking: You might also start snacking more in college, especially if you keep snacks in your dorm room where you work/live/eat/sleep.
• Decreased activity levels: Many college students go from playing sports in high school to a less active lifestyle in college. Unless you’re a college athlete, you might see a big decrease in your levels of exercise.
• Going out and drinking: Going to parties and drinking is unfortunately another cause of weight gain in college — alcohol has tons of calories!
• Eating as a coping mechanism: College is a big transition and freshman year can be stressful, leading to overeating as a way to cope.

I was able to avoid the freshman 15 and I’m going to share my tips for how I did it below.

In fact, I did not gain any weight all throughout college — I stayed within 5 pounds of what I weighed in high school, and I have continued to maintain this weight throughout my twenties because of many of the healthy habits listed below.

Important Things to Note

Before I get into sharing my tips, I wanted to note that your weight does not define you.

I’m not writing about this because I think anyone should feel ashamed of gaining weight or allow it to affect their self-worth.

You might gain weight in college even if you’re eating a healthy, balanced diet and staying active. This is a common thing that happens as you continue to shift from adolescence to adulthood. A few extra pounds is totally okay!

But what I’m talking about below is a more noticeable weight gain that is caused by unhealthy eating habits and a more sedentary lifestyle. This is what causes the “freshman 15” for many students and it IS avoidable!

Here’s what worked for me in avoiding the freshman 15, and what you can do too:

Avoid treating the dining hall like an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Most freshmen college students will be on a dining plan of some sort, which gives you access to your college dining halls.

The food served at the dining hall is typically buffet-style and it might not always be the healthiest options. It can be tempting to fill your plate with huge portion sizes and go up for second and third servings, but this can quickly contribute to weight gain.

Instead, create a balanced plate at the dining hall and go for the healthier or lighter options.

My dining hall had a “grab and go” option where you could get a pre-packaged meal consisting of a sandwich, a bag of chips, a fruit, and a cookie. I would do this for lunch most days and it was a much more reasonable portion size.

Don’t keep unhealthy snacks in your dorm room.

My freshman year roommate and I kept our dorm room really clean, and neither of us really liked to keep much food in the room.

I think this definitely helped in avoiding gaining weight.

I would keep some granola bars in a drawer in case I ever got hungry, but I wouldn’t keep unhealthy snacks like chips or candy in my room. If I wanted to get a snack, I had to walk out of the building and go to the nearest vending machine (in another building a couple of minutes away) which would usually deter me unless I really wanted it.

This helped me keep snacking under control. Now did I ever deprive myself of a snack if I really wanted one? No! But I prevented myself from snacking purely out of boredom and saving it only for when I really felt hungry.

Walk everywhere you can on campus.

One of the easiest things you can do to maintain a healthy lifestyle in college is to walk everywhere you can on campus.

I went to college in the middle of a big city, but we had our own distinct campus that was actually not very large — about 1 mile by 1.5 miles. You could easily walk from one side of campus to the other in under 30 minutes.

Because of this, I walked everywhere. We had a bus and trolley system, but I didn’t see the point in taking that since nothing was that far away.

You might go to college on a larger campus where walking everywhere is impractical, but in that case, I would encourage you to get a bike!

Staying active as you make your way around campus throughout the day is one of the easiest ways to get exercise while in college.

Drink lots of water (and not a lot of other beverages!)

You probably know you should be drinking at least 64 ounces of water per day, but I cannot emphasize enough how important this really is!

Drinking lots of water helps you maintain your weight. You should also avoid drinking much of any other beverages. That fancy drink from Starbucks or that sugar-filled “healthy” juice you grab before class is actually full of calories.

I stuck to drinking only water as much as possible during college, although I have to admit I had a weakness for Diet Coke too. (Not saying you should drink soda, but at least swap out regular soda for diet soda if you choose to drink it!)

Also, this goes for alcohol. There are MANY benefits to limiting how much you drink or avoiding alcohol entirely, not just related to weight.

If you do choose to drink, do so in moderation.

Go to the gym, take fitness classes, or join a club/intramural sport.

I’ve never actually done sports or enjoyed working out, and that did not change for me during college. But I still stayed active by walking a TON and continuing ballet classes, the one physical activity I did during high school.

If you played sports in high school, you can still stay active in college by joining a club or intramural sports team. You don’t have to be really good to join these teams and they are less pressure and commitment than being on an actual college sports team.

You can also take advantage of free/heavily discounted gym access and fitness classes.

Most colleges have a campus gym and rec center where you can work out for free, and possibly even take free fitness classes like yoga, Pilates, HIIT, etc.

If it’s not free, it will likely be extremely discounted for students, making this an affordable way to stay in shape during your freshman year.

Create healthy routines for yourself.

What do I mean when I say create healthy routines for yourself? A few different things!

First of all, try to develop a healthy sleep schedule. I’m someone who has always needed a solid eight hours of sleep a night to function and I don’t do well when I’m sleep-deprived. So I prioritized sticking to my sleep schedule in college. Getting enough sleep and sticking to a sleep routine regulates your body and makes you less likely to gain weight.

You can also develop a healthy evening routine to get you ready for sleep and a morning routine to start your day off on the right note.

Additionally, it’s important to stick to a healthy eating routine. Don’t skip breakfast (or any other meal) and have consistent mealtimes for yourself.

All of this will help you avoid gaining weight by regulating your body.

Develop healthy coping mechanisms.

Finally, it’s important to develop healthy coping mechanisms. The transition to college can be a stressful one, and it’s easy to slide into unhealthy methods of coping.

One of those can be stress-eating. You might find yourself staying up late to cram for an exam the next morning, then rewarding yourself with a 2 AM meal of fast food. Or you might find yourself being stressed out after class and going to the dining hall and filling up your plate multiple times with your favorite comfort food. Or after a long day, you might lay in bed watching Netflix and mindlessly snacking.

All of these are examples of unhealthy food-related coping mechanisms. You want to develop healthy ways to deal with stress instead.

Rather than defaulting to food, go for a walk outside and listen to your favorite podcast instead. Or put on some music and dance like no one is watching. Or sit down and journal about it.

There are lots of ways to cope with the stress of college that don’t involve food!

Avoiding the Freshman 15

This post showed you tips for how to avoid the freshman 15.

You don’t have to gain weight in your first year of college (or at any point in college!) as long as you maintain healthy habits.

These are the specifics things that worked for me that will hopefully help you too!

Related Posts:

• 50 Positive Affirmations For College Students
• 20 Best Foods for Studying
• The Best Cheap And Easy College Breakfast Ideas
• 50 Journal Prompts For College Students
• The Perfect College Morning Routine

The post How To Avoid The Freshman 15 (What Worked For Me) appeared first on Sincerely Students.

Read on for 50 inspiring college student journal prompts!

Journal prompts are a great tool to help you write and reflect on your life. Journaling helps you to stay mindful and has numerous benefits for your mental health.

It keeps you in touch with your emotions and helps you manage stress. It’s a great habit to form and even spending just 10 to 15 minutes a day journal has major advantages!

If you aren’t sure what to write about, you can pick from one of the prompts below.

Some of these are “deeper” topics while others are just fun or interesting prompts to inspire you with what to journal about.

Read on for the best journal prompts for college students…

Journal Prompts for College Students

1. What’s your ideal vision for your life after college? Where do you see yourself one year after graduation?

2. Where do you see yourself five years after college? What about ten years?

3. What are the things you want to accomplish the most in college?

4. What have been your favorite memories from college so far?

5. Has college been what you expected? What is different about college compared to how you imagined it in high school?

6. What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned so far in college?

7. If you could go back and give yourself advice on your first day of freshman year of college, what would it be?

8. Do you have a morning routine? If not, what kind of morning routine would you like to start?

9. If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go and why?

10. What was your dream job as a kid, and how has it changed as you’ve gotten older?

11. What made you choose your major?

12. What have been your favorite and least favorite college classes so far?

13. Have you developed any new habits in college — bad or good? Write about them.

14. What scares you about the future?

15. What excites you about the future?

16. What are your goals for the rest of college?

17. Is there a time that you have failed at something recently? What happened, and what lessons did you learn from it?

18. Do you make time for self care? What are your favorite self care activities?

19. What motivates you the most?

20. Describe a moment when you felt truly proud of yourself.

21. What is your average daily screen time? How do you feel about it?

22. Who are the people you’ve met since starting college that have had the biggest impact on your life?

23. What are the things you’re most grateful for right now?

24. What’s your current daily routine like? Are there things you want to change?

25. Where do you want to live after you graduate from college?

26. What are the best books that you have read in college?

27. Have you studied abroad or do you plan to? Write about your experience or goals.

28. How do you think others would describe you?

29. What goals do you have for the rest of this month? The rest of the semester?

30. If you had all the money in the world, what career would you choose? Would you keep your major and stay on the current path you’re on?

31. What are the best movies or TV shows you’ve watched recently?

32. What’s on your college bucket list?

33. Have you gone outside your comfort zone lately? How did that work out for you?

34. What would you do if you knew you could not fail?

35. Is there anything you miss from high school or feel nostalgic about?

36. If you were giving advice to someone who is still in high school, what would you tell them?

37. What’s your current relationship status when it comes to romantic, friend, and family relationships in your life? Is there anything you want to change?

38. What is your current diet and exercise routine like? Do you want to make changes?

39. Do you have an evening routine? If not, what do you want to start doing?

40. Are you happy with your college? Do you ever regret choosing your college and wish you had gone somewhere else?

41. Do you have a job right now? If not, are you looking for one?

42. How are your spending habits? Is there anything you want to change?

43. What are your favorite things about yourself?

44. Where is your favorite place to hang out on campus?

45. What are your favorite positive affirmations to stay happy and motivated?

45. How are your time management skills? Are there areas where you are struggling, and what can you do to create a better balance?

46. Where do you live? Are you staying in a dorm, an apartment, or a house? Do you have roommates? How do you feel about your current living situation?

47. What’s an issue or a cause that you’re passionate about?

48. What is something new you’ve tried since being in college?

49. Do you keep in touch with friends from high school still? Do you feel closer to them or your college friends?

50. How do you feel about your overall college experience so far?

Journal Prompts for College Students

These are 50 journal prompts for college students you can choose from when you aren’t sure what to journal about.

Journaling has many benefits, including helping you to achieve your goals, creating a clearer vision for your life, staying in tune with your emotions, managing stress and anxiety, and overall helping your mental health and wellbeing!

You don’t need to spend long journaling (just 10 to 15 minutes a day in enough time) but this is an easy habit you can form with many benefits.

Related Posts:

• 7 Personal Growth Goals That Will Make You Happier
• 60 Life-Changing Habits To Build This Semester
• The Ultimate College Bucket List: 50 Things To Do Before You Graduate
• 6 Books Every Student Should Read
• 50 Study Motivation Quotes For Students

The post 50 Journal Prompts For College Students appeared first on Sincerely Students.

Living in a dorm is a big adjustment for many students. There are so many things you need to bring when you move into a dorm room for the first time, and that includes bedding!

Most dorm rooms will come with a bed frame and a mattress, but it’s on you to bring everything else. Dorm beds can be notoriously uncomfortable, which means it’s even more important to have the right bedding essentials.

So what should you have on your college dorm packing list when it comes to bedding?

Here’s what you will need for your dorm bed.

Mattress Topper

A mattress topper is one of the most important things you can get for your dorm bed, and yet I often see it left off college packing lists!

This is a must-have because dorm bed mattresses are often hard as a rock. You’ve heard the old story The Princess and the Pea about a princess who can’t sleep no matter how many mattresses she has? That’s how most dorm bed mattresses are! 

A mattress topper can make your mattress a lot more comfortable to sleep on, so this is well worth having. (I didn’t have one of these until later on, and I wished I’d had one sooner!)

Mattress Pad

The mattress topper goes directly on top of your mattress, and a mattress pad goes over that. This just gives another layer of protection to your mattress and makes it more comfortable.

Like the mattress topper, your mattress pad should most likely be twin XL size to fit your bed. And speaking of twin XL beds…

Twin XL Sheets

You’ll also most likely need twin XL sheets for your dorm bed. Double-check what kind of bed you’ll have in your dorm room, but this is the most common type.

Regular twin sheets will not fit this kind of bed, so make sure you’re getting twin XL sheets, which is a slightly different size! You’ll want to have at least two sets of sheets so you have an extra set to put on when you are washing the other set.

Twin XL Comforter

Similarly, you will want to bring a twin XL comforter to college with you. I recommend getting a lightweight down comforter for your bed.

These stay cool in the summer, but they are also warm enough for the winter. 

Spare Blankets

In addition to a comforter for your bed, you might want to have a spare blanket or two as well. I had a fleece blanket like this at the foot of my bed. 

This was perfect for when I was hanging out sitting at the foot of my bed (which I often did since there was not much space in my dorm room!) It’s also good for if you have guests over.

Memory Foam Pillows

Memory foam pillows are another great item to have in your dorm bed. I like these better than regular pillows because they are super comfortable and can help you sleep better at night.

Depending on how many pillows you normally sleep with, you may want to get one or two of these to put on your dorm bed.

Pillowcases

Obviously, you also need pillowcases in addition to pillows for your dorm bed. I personally like plain cotton pillowcases, but you can get any kind that you like.

The important thing is that you have at least two sets of pillowcases so that you have an extra set to put on while you are washing the other ones.

Decorative Throw Pillows

If you want to add a little more pizzazz to your dorm bed, you should definitely get some decorative throw pillows like these. This is an easy way to add an elevated touch to your dorm bed and make it look less boring.

Since dorm beds are pretty small, I recommend going with just two or three small decorative throw pillows so you don’t overwhelm the space.

Bedrest Pillow

One other type of pillow you should have for your dorm bed? A bedrest pillow! These pillows are super convenient for when you are sitting in bed watching TV on your laptop, browsing the Internet, studying, doing homework, reading, and so on.

Rather than have to lean up against the hard wall next to your bed, you can relax against a bedrest pillow instead. Super comfortable and a must-have in your dorm room.

Bedside Shelf

Okay, this last item isn’t bedding per se, but it’s a bed-related item so I am including it on this list anyway! And that item is a bedside tray table.

Most dorm beds are lofted, which means you won’t be able to use a nightstand since you’ll be too high up to reach one! In this case, a bedside tray table is super useful. These clip on to the side of your bed frame and can be used as a nightstand.

It’s the perfect place to put your phone, water bottle, medications, glasses, or anything else you might want right next to your bed and within easy reach at night.

Dorm Bedding Essentials

This post showed you the dorm bedding essentials that every college student should have. Bedding is just one of the many things you’ll need to bring with you when moving into a dorm for the first time, and you don’t want to forget any of the items on this list!

Although dorm beds are not known for being the most comfortable or luxurious beds in the world, these essentials will help you make your dorm bed feel cozier and make you more at home in your new space.

Be sure to check that you have these dorm bedding essentials before you move to college!

Related Posts:

• 12 Dorm Cleaning Supplies Every College Student Needs
• The Ultimate Dorm Cleaning Schedule
• 8 Dorm Bathroom Essentials Every College Student Needs
• 12 Dorm Items To Split With Roommate In College
• How To Soundproof A Dorm Room: 8 Simple Ways

The post 10 Dorm Bedding Essentials You Must Have appeared first on Sincerely Students.

Chances are, if you’re reading this post, you’re in a similar position as the one I was in during college and you want to know about rushing as a sophomore.

Is sophomore year too late to rush? (Spoiler alert: no, it’s not!)

Whether you did not rush as a freshman or are re-rushing for the second time as a sophomore, hopefully I can answer your questions and share some advice as someone who successful re-rushed when I was a sophomore.

Can You Rush As A Sophomore?

First things first, can you actually rush a sorority as a sophomore in college?

The answer is yes!

While the majority of your PC (pledge class) will likely be freshmen, you will probably not be the only sophomore. When I joined my sorority as a sophomore, there were five other sophomore girls in my pledge class of around 60 girls.

I went to a pretty large, academic-focused college where Greek life was not a huge deal — only 25% of students were involved with it. Rushing wasn’t as competitive as it is at some schools such as SEC schools, but it still wasn’t “easy” and you had to do some work to get in.

So if you’re interested in rushing as a sophomore, you will definitely want to do a lot of research about the rush process at your school.

You will like want to prepare “rush packets” that you send to each sorority with your resume, a headshot, and a recommendation letter from a woman who was a member of that sorority. (But all of this varies by school!)

Can You Rush A Sorority As A Junior?

I know this post is about rushing as a sophomore, but I wanted to quickly address rushing as a junior too, because I know that’s a common question.

The truth is, rushing as a junior may be significantly harder than rushing as a freshman or a sophomore. You’re no longer an underclassmen, and you only have two years left of college.

From a financial standpoint, it doesn’t make as much sense for a sorority to take on a new member who will only be paying dues for two years, as opposed to four full years.

Also, from a social standpoint, it can be harder. As a junior rushing, you’re likely 20 years old, while most of the members of your pledge class would be 18-year-old freshmen who are just beginning their college lives.

Even as a sophomore, I found it a little difficult to click with the freshmen in my pledge class because they were all living in the same dorms together, taking the same classes, and having the same freshmen experiences.

I imagine that would have been even harder as a junior.

That being said, it’s not impossible! Especially if your school doesn’t have a “tough” rush, you might not have any trouble finding a house that will take you as a junior.

My Personal Experience Rushing As A Sophomore

Okay, like I said at the beginning of this post, I am going to share my personal experience rushing as a sophomore and then give you some tips for how to do it yourself.

I did go through rush as a freshman, and I was disappointed because the houses I wanted all ended up dropping me by Pref Night (the last night of rush.)

I ended up going to Pref Night at the one house I had left, and signing a pref card which ensured I was going to get a bid with them… but since my heart wasn’t in it, I ended up calling my rush leader that night and letting her know I wanted to withdraw from rush.

Although I really regretted not being in a sorority throughout my whole freshman year, I did not regret withdrawing from rush because I knew I truly did not want the house I had left.

My freshman roommate was in one the sororities I really wanted, and this definitely ended up being a huge help for me. I also ended up living with four other girls from that same sorority the following year, and going into sophomore year, they knew I planned to re-rush.

These connections absolutely helped me during my second time rushing, and that’s something I’m going to talk about in my tips below.

My second rush went much better from the start. I got invited back to more houses, including several that had dropped me right away the first time around. I ended up with two houses on Pref Night this time, and one of them was the house that my roommates were in and the one I REALLY wanted.

And that’s the one I ended up getting! I had never been happier to open my card on Bid Day and see that sorority’s name there.

So Was Rushing As A Sophomore Worth It?

Now it’s time to get brutally honest.

Yes, re-rushing as a sophomore was 100% worth it for me. That being said, I didn’t end up having quite the Greek life experience I expected.

As I mentioned earlier, being a sophomore did make it a little harder to connect with the other girls in my PC, all of whom were freshman aside from me and 5 other sophomores.

It also didn’t help that I went and studied abroad during the second semester of sophomore year, so I missed out on a LOT that was happening on campus. (I don’t regret that one bit, though — studying abroad was the BEST thing I did in college.)

However, when I came back, I never really developed any super close friendships. I don’t have any lifelong friends from my sorority now that I’ve graduated college. And that’s fine — I still had a lot of good memories, but I was also lonely at times.

I definitely placed a lot of importance on joining a “top” house at all costs — and I was extremely lucky that I got the house I wanted, but I didn’t always fit in the way I had hoped.

Overall, I am still glad I had the experience.

There were even some surprising benefits, like how being in a sorority actually saved me money during college. My school was in the middle of a big city, and housing costs were high. I ended up being able to live in my sorority house for three semesters, paying rent that was about one-third of what it would have been in a college apartment.

So anyway, that’s my experience. Now let’s talk tips if you’re in the same situation as me!

If You’re Re-Rushing As A Sophomore

If you’re like me and you already rushed freshman year but dropped out of rush for whatever reason, you probably hope things will go a different way the second time around.

You should definitely prepare as much as possible for your second rush, especially if there were things you dropped the ball on the first time around (like not having recommendation letters or having a low GPA that is hopefully now higher.)

It’s also really, really helpful to have connections in houses already. So if you’re reading this is a freshman hoping to re-rush during sophomore year, you still have time to do these things.

When you’re actually going through rush, being a sophomore can actually be a slight advantage and make conversation easier. (Also, you’ll have the experience of one rush already so you’ll be better prepared this time!)

The active members in the sorority rushing you will likely be sophomores themselves (or possibly juniors or seniors) and so you’ll have more things in common with them than a brand-new freshman would. Use this to your advantage.

You also don’t have to talk about re-rushing (unless someone point-blanks asks you.) You can just talk about why you’re excited to join a sorority as a sophomore. If the subject of re-rushing does come up, you can mention that you wanted to focus on academics or other extracurriculars freshman year and decided it wasn’t the right time to join a sorority yet.

If You’re Rushing For The First Time As A Sophomore

If you didn’t rush at all freshman year and are rushing for the first time as a sophomore, you obviously don’t have to worry about the topic of why you’re re-rushing even coming up.

Still, you’ll want to have a reason for why you are rushing now.

For some people, it may be really obvious. For example, my sorority had several girls who joined as sophomores (and one even as a junior!) because they were involved with collegiate sports like cheerleading and swimming freshman year.

You can also use the same explanation I gave above, which is that you were focusing on academics or other extracurriculars.

Or if you honestly didn’t even know much about Greek life, you can say that too, and explain how you met sorority members who made you interested in joining one yourself.

If you didn’t rush as a freshman, you’ll definitely want to do LOTS of research and preparation to make sure you understand what to expect.

Rushing As A Sophomore: Final Thoughts

If you were looking for an answer to the question “Can you rush as a sophomore?” I hope this firsthand personal experience helped you!

I re-rushed as a sophomore and was able to join my top choice sorority, after being dropped by them when I rushed the first time as a freshman.

Obviously, this isn’t going to happen for everybody, but I truly believe that you can have a more successful rush as a sophomore and you should definitely give it a go.

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• The Ultimate College Bucket List: 50 Things To Do Before You Graduate

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