#1 - A Semester of Hard Works Makes a Brother for Life

My first semester as a freshman at Penn State was one full of excitement and opportunity; but at the same time, it was one full of stress, time management, and the occasional long night. Pledging a fraternity is in no way an easy task. Committing hours upon hours of my time to show my support and willingness to join the brotherhood was daunting among the acclimation and first semester schoolwork I was experiencing. Thinking it would never end, I kept my head up and before I knew it initiation time had come and winter break soon followed. Now that second semester had started and pledging is long gone, time seems infinite. I can now devote much more effort to class and school work, making new friends and chilling with old ones, extracurricular activities including my THON committee, getting in shape by lifting weights and running, and de-stressing at the end of the day by watching my favorite TV program. I do not regret my decision to join a fraternity or when I decided to enter into the process of becoming a brother. Although I may have neglected my friends more than I would have liked, I am now able to devote much more time to forming bonds and lasting relationships with those who mean something. By joining a fraternity, I am not only entering into a brotherhood for my time here at Penn State, I am entering into something that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Many think "frat bros" are idiots who like to party and get with girls. In reality, they are much more than that. These guys are gentlemen who not only work to better themselves, but also work to better the school and community. Alpha Tau Omega (ATO), the fraternity I joined, is Penn State's top Greek fundraiser for THON and it has been for many years. I look up to the older brothers in the house with respect and look to them for guidance. They have a lot to teach me and I have a lot to learn.