With Greek recruitment week finally over, the new member period is in full swing. With the challenge of having to balance school, work and your social life comes the challenge of becoming a full-fledged member of a fraternity or sorority. As with any new group you become a part of, each new member has to pay his or her non-financial dues before gaining the acceptance of the other members.

Boys, this means it’s time to brush up on all those rap lyrics, as you’ll be singing them while waddling in a perfectly straight line as you penguin walk from your dorm to your new frat house. While you’re at it, it probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to start drinking water like it’s oxygen.

Your new diet will start to consist mainly of Taco Bell, fried food and a particular cheap beer that you’ll never want to mention again. Needless to say, your luxury budget will diminish with each hungry brother you will be asked, scratch that, told to buy food for. For those of you lucky enough to be the chauffeur of your new brothers, polish your car, vacuum all the carpets and burn some new CDs so all of your new passengers are fully pleased with their free transportation. Don’t worry, next year’s new members will be there for you when you need a ride back next year and pay you back for all the money wasted on gas. If it gets bad enough, you can always resort to stealing a fellow fraternity jersey and hold it for ransom for a cash prize or even a day off from the scheduled strenuous activities.

Girls, you have it a little easier. Recruitment week was stressful enough for you, so now it’s your turn to enjoy sporting your new jerseys so all the boys can drool over your letters. Be careful though – these boys have been deprived of their sanity, and who knows, it may even be a prank to get your phone number.

Don’t get too discouraged, as there are many positive experiences that come from joining a Greek organization. You’ll form many new friendships, be welcomed into a new family and receive more gifts than you got on your last birthday.

Everyone agrees, though. Being a new member is more than worth it in the end. Next year the freshmen will be in your place, and you all will be the ones calling the shots. Hate it or love it now, but hang in there; this time next year, it’s you who will be laughing and having the time of your life at your new house.