Core Values of a Strong Big/Little Relationship

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You may or may not already have your Big/Little yet, but you'll see that there are those Big & Littles that are extremely close, and there are those that aren't after a month- well, there's a reason for that. Big/Little relationships are like a real relationship- it takes dedication, effort, and communication!  If you're about to get your Big/Little or if you already have yours, it's never too late to start working on it. Your Big/Little can really change your college & sorority life experience in a positive way, so put all the effort and build a strong relationship!

Through our experience, we wanted to provide you with some important core values of a strong Big/Little relationship to follow!

1. Be Approachable
This applies to everything and anything.  We're not telling you guys to be BFFs, but always be each other's go-tos for everything!  Whether you need someone to go get fro-yo with or you need some help/guidance, it's always great to make yourself approachable to one another.

2. No Hierarchy, Bigs!
We see a lot of ups & downs when Bigs' feel entitled to things!  It's always good to respect one another and treat each other equally- those are the ones that last the longest :)

3. Make Each Other Feel Included
It's important to always make one another feel included in whatever it is that you are doing.  If it's a birthday trip, invite your Big/Little! If you're getting together before a date dash, invite her to come over! Whatever it is, it's always nice to make one another feel included so the relationship stays strong and no one feels left out!

4. Be each other's #1 FAN!
Be proud to be one another's Big/Little!  Always be each other's #1 fan and cheer each other on everything.

These are 4 important core values that every strong Big/Little relationship has.  What are some other things that you can think of?

8 Ways To Be a Healthier You

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We are really on this kick about living more intentional. Living more intentional means waking up with a purpose; a purpose supported by every day goals. When you live intentional you consequently have a healthier lifestyle. Below are eight (8) ways to be a healthier you:

1. Make your bed.
2. Eat breakfast.
3. Workout for a minimum of 15 minutes.
4. Spend some quiet time strengthening your faith.
5. Learn from someone you aspire to be like.
6. Laugh, often
7. Put your phone away and live in the moment for at least an hour.
8. Get your rest by hitting the sack early.

We hope these help you to be a more healthy version of yourself. What are some best practices you implement to support a healthier lifestyle? Share with us in the comments!

5 College Resources You Should Take Advantage Of

Leverage leverage leverage. That's how you can make the most out of your college experience POST college. We have been a mentor to many of our younger sorority sisters that we wanted to provide you with some tips we learned along the way in college to help you succeed. These 5 resources can really help you advice in the work life post college:

1. Locate your school's jobs and internship website and search for jobs and internships fitting to your interests. For us at Arizona State University, we had Sun Devil Career Link and it allowed us to type in keywords and internships and jobs fitting to those key words would pop up!
2. Engage your counselor! They are getting paid to fully help you so take advantage! Bonus: try to find a counselor from the Business School. Use them to review your résumé and keep you in the know of important on campus events.
3. Speaking of events, find out when your school's Career Fair is and go! It's all about putting yourself out there and networking.
4. Talk to upperclassmen. They know the ropes and can really guide you down a more smooth path in college. 
5. If you're in a sorority, engage your Educational Chairwoman and committee. This was one of the best parts of being in a sorority because so many of our sisters had helpful study guides or old books they didn't mind passing down. If you're not in a sorority, locate study groups; they're so helpful especially when prepping for a major test.

Good luck and make the best out of your college experience! 

6 Modern Myths About Love {United Healthcare}

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We always love reading up on important health tips from our favorite healthcare providers, that we were glad to have stumbled across this article that United Healthcare wrote regarding modern myths about love. Love is special, but often times we fall victim to false love. Read United Healthcare's perspective on modern myths about love and leave a comment below with your thoughts!

6 Modern Myths About Love
How much do you know about matters of the heart?
Zing! With a well-aimed arrow, Cupid can fill your heart with passion. That's how the ancient myth goes.

We may not believe that. But plenty of modern myths about love miss the mark too. Here are six you've probably heard.

Myth No. 1: I have to be in a romantic relationship to be happy.

The real deal: Just one can be fun! Single people can and do live full, happy lives. Their secret? They fill their hearts with what brings them joy and satisfaction — family, friends, meaningful work, hobbies, fitness, etc.

Myth No. 2: All you need is love.

The real deal: Love alone can't conquer all. In relationships that last, loving couples know it's also important to:
Respect one another
Communicate well, positively and honestly
Resolve conflicts in a healthy way
Offer support, comfort and praise
Laugh and be playful together

Myth No. 3: I can change things I don't like about someone.

The real deal: The only person you can change is you! Try to appreciate someone for who he or she is — not your vision of perfection. That doesn't mean you can't share concerns or wishes. But do so as positively as possible — and realize that accepting your sweetheart's quirks and habits is a powerful way to show your love.

Myth No. 4: Possessiveness is a sign of passionate love.

The real deal: It's actually a red flag. If one partner is controlling or jealous — for example, doesn't want the other to spend time with friends or family — it's not a healthy situation.

Myth No. 5: If it's right, it will be love at first sight.

The real deal: You might be attracted to a person instantly. But lasting love is based on knowing someone on a deeper level. And that takes time. You need to share many different experiences — from romantic candlelit dinners to frustrating flat tires — to know if a relationship can go the distance.

Myth No. 6: Romance can't last.

The real deal: Even when life is busy — with kids, work, chores and bills — love can thrive. Sweet gestures, hugs, hand-holding, stolen moments and regular date nights can all help keep your bond satisfying and special.

Tips/Advice We've Learned Over 2014

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We are in the new year now {yay!} and we couldn't be more excited for what's ahead. Every year we try to reflect on everything and hopefully learn from every experience. Here are a few lessons we learned in 2014 that we hope to carry out in 2015. Who knows, you might have learned the same lessons too!

1. There is no sense in continuing to invest in anything not making you feel 100% fulfilled or happy.
2. Honesty is the BEST policy.
3. Express yourself--even if it means feelings can possibly get hurt along the way.
4. Stop and smell the roses--you don't have to be on your phone all the time.
5. Not all friendships are worth keeping--know when it's time to go your separate ways.
6. Love can hurt, but don't be afraid to fall for it!
7. Take advantage of every opportunity even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone.
8. You define yourself--not social media or society.
9. It's okay to take a break--no one expects you to be Superwoman (or man) every second of the day.
10. If you don't take care of yourself, then who will? Feed your mind, feed your body, and feed your spirit.

Happy New Year!

Say Yes To The Dress- Formal Edition

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With spring formal coming right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about the perfect dress. Whether you attend your sorority formal, get invited to a fraternity's formal, or are fortunate enough to go to both, dress shopping can become expensive and difficult to fit in your college budget. 

Here are a 3 easy ways to save money and have fun with your sisters while finding the perfect formal dress.

1. Ask around and borrow a sister’s dress: 
Many of your sisters have extra dresses they've previously worn that are just lying around. We girls love being complimented on our style, and wearing someone's dress would be the ultimate compliment.  Dress sized all run differently, so you never know who might be your size and your style, which makes branching out a great idea for more options! 

2. BYOD (bring your own dress) Party: Host a dress exchange! Invite your pledge class or your entire sorority to get together and bring cute dresses they've worn to formals or events. Girls can trade dresses, sell for a good price, or loan to one another. This is a fun way to get your sisters together for a night of bonding while also finding the perfect dress! 

3. Rent the Runway: My newest obsession is Rent the Runway. They have everything, from dresses to clutches, I have had so much fun renting all sorts of things from their website. Their website is easy to navigate and has hundreds of styles to choose from. Whether you are looking for long and elegant, short and fun, or chic and sophisticated, Rent the Runway always has you covered. 

20 Best Friend Date Ideas

We all have friends- maybe a big group of friends or maybe just a few friends, but we all have that friend that we can't live without... that's right, your best friend (aka your BFF, Bestie, "Biffle").  The one that always "gets it" and knows you from inside and out, the one that knows when you're down and lifts you up when you need it.  Having a best friend is something that everyone needs because... well, it's that special and amazing. 

Whether you're busy with your nose deep into your books for an exam or you're Miss Working (full time) Busy Bee, making time for your best friend is still so important!  Like you have date nights with your boyfriend, plan out a weekly date Best Friend Date Day/Night with your bestie!  Here are some of TSS' TOP 20 things to do with your best friend!

1. Gym sessions (help motivate each other!)

2. Make weekly manicure appointments with each other (save money & spend quality BFF time!)

3. At-home dinner nights

4. Chick-flick movie nights

5. Bestie photo shoots (get creative and make cute BFF photos like the ones above!)

6. The good ol' sleepover

7. Start a TV series together

8. Shopping

9. Cooking class

10. Late-night drives (maybe even an overnight trip!)

11. Junk food nights

12.  Pick a random, hole-in-the-wall restaurant that neither of you have ever been to

13. Weekly celebrity tabloid nights

14. Go through old photos on each others Facebook accounts

15. Plan and write down each other's future (5, 10, 20 years)

16. Weekly lunch dates

17. Make a best friend bucket list

18. Have a pinning marathon (yes, by "pin" we mean Pinterest)

19. Get ice cream or froyo

20. Play M*A*S*H* (because it never gets old)

Treat your best friend as if she was your boyfriend, because finding your #1 is a lot more difficult than you would think!

What other things would you do with your best friend?? Comment below!

Black Friday Tips

Thanksgiving is in 10 days which means Black Friday is right around the corner!  To become a professional Black Friday Shopper, you must have a game plan and know all of the tips and tricks!  This special day only comes once a year and there's no way you can hit up the department stores without a game plan so we got you all of the tips and tricks you need to know!

1. Sign Up for E-mail Alerts from your Favorite Stores
Stores typically send out promotional alerts and deals out to their loyal customers!  There's a huge chance that they will also send out a special coupon on Black Friday so make sure you are signed up for your favorite stores to take advantage of their coupons and deals.

2. Check for Pre-Black Friday Sales Online
There's a lot of stores that will do Pre-Black Friday Sales online so make sure to start checking online around the day before Thanksgiving to see if there are any special deals going on. This is where tip #1 comes in handy so you can get discount alerts right in your inbox!

3. Check Out Black Friday Store Hours Before
Black Friday store hours vary year to year from store to store.  Make sure you know exactly when your favorite stores open so you can plan out your day and be the first in the store!

4. Get an Early Start
Make sure to set up 3 alarms to get you up bright and early for the big day!  Make sure to do tip #3 and check out the store hours so you know exactly what time you have to be up! Make sure to calculate the time for you to stop and grab coffee on the way to the mall!

5. Take Advantage of Black Friday Sites & Apps
There are a ton of websites and mobile apps that will make Black Friday a million times easier for you!  Take advantage and check out the sites and download the apps before the big day.  These sites and apps will allow you to check out the Black Friday deals for each stores and even each items so you know exactly how much each items are going to be on Black Friday!  (BlackFriday.com)

6. Create a Wish List and Shopping List
Make sure to know exactly what you want and what you're getting on Black Friday so you don't waste any time.  As you know, things on Black Friday go out very fast so make sure to know exactly what you want and also so you don't forget!

7. Bring Cash
There are a billion transactions going on nation wide on Black Friday and there are a lot of credit card machine malfunctions on Black Friday.  Make sure to bring cash so you don't have to miss out on anything!


Happy Shopping!

All the Things We Love About the New iPhone Update

Obsessed is an understatement- we're just loving everything about the new iPhone i0S7 update!  We know we're definitely not the only ones that's been anxiously waiting for the new iPhone update to come out.  We've come up with a list of all of our favorite things about the new update that we thought we should share!

There's so many different things that we wanted to list, but we cut our list down to our Top 11 features.  We're still learning new things every day on the new update as you are, but Becca, from the blog, My Crazy Good Life, talks all about her favorite tips and trick on the new update (read here).  Also, check out Wonder How To for their "Coolest 18 Features That You Probably Didn't Know About"!

What are some other features that you love (or don't love) about on the new update?!

Happy Tuesday!

20 Powerful Words to Use in a Resume

Sure, resumes are very important, but put yourself in the employer's shoes- wouldn't you want to know exactly who you're hiring and why you should hire them?  Resumes only do so much and tell the employers so little about you; and that's exactly why there is such a thing as a cover letter.

Cover letters are often optional when submitting a resume, but we feel as though it shouldn't be optional.  By submitting your cover letter, you have the chance to tell the employer who you are, why you are qualified for this position, and what you can offer them if they hire you!  

People tend to overuse the same words in cover letters such as "hard-working" or "goal-oriented"... which could potentially categorize your resume in the "eh" pile.  So, with that said, The Sorority Secrets is all about helping you succeed and we came up with our list of 20 most powerful words to use in a cover letter!  Remember, just because we gave you these list of 20 words does not mean that you should over use them... just remember to always be yourself!

Happy Monday everyone!

Recruitment Wardrobe Do's!

With recruitment just around the corner, a lot of you may be asking yourself “what do I wear?!” Keep calm; we are here to help! While sorority recruitment is so much more than the volume of your hair or what designer you are wearing, it is still important to care about your appearance and be confident, because a first impression can be a lasting impression. I have come up with some tips to help you put your best self forward and stand out in a crowd. 

Your outfit can say a lot about your personality. In any situation where you do not know what to expect, or you are meeting hundreds of people for the first time, it is best to keep it classy with higher necklines and longer hems. This Laundry dress is classic and colorful. The jersey material is soft and comfortable, and won’t wrinkle so you stay looking put together all day!

You know that gorgeous statement necklace or cute headband that you always get complimented on? Accessorize! Adding a pop or color or statement piece to your outfit is a great way to make yourself stand apart and be unique. It can also be a great conversation starter because everyone will want to know where you got it! This aqua statement necklace or pink Tory Burch flats are sure to be remembered.

Although recruitment is so much fun, it is also a very long and exhausting process. We have all had those nights where our new heels are killing us and we are asking everyone we know if they have a band-aid for our blisters; comfy footwear is key! Heels are great, but make sure that you can walk and stand in them all day! A wedge can provide more support and adding Dr. Scholl’s Foot Cushions to any high heels can be life changing. I would recommend breaking new heels in around the house!

It’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed. Don’t be afraid to get dressed up, especially for the last day of recruitment! Think like you're meeting your boyfriend’s parents or going to a job interview. That special outfit or your favorite cocktail dress? Wear it! I love this fun and flirty Parker dress. It is elegant and classy, but still unique and memorable.

The most important thing to keep in mind is to be yourself and make sure that you are comfortable in any outfit before walking out the door. When you are comfortable, you are confident!

Wishing you all the best of luck in recruitment!

5 Things You Need to Know When Purchasing Plane Tickets!

Between all of us on the TSS team, we've done A LOT of traveling this Summer!  One of our Co-Founders is even leaving for Japan this week and we have a lot more traveling to do this year!  We've learned a lot about purchasing plane tickets and we've done some research to give you our TOP 5 tips that you should know when purchasing your next plane tickets!

Do you have any other tips we should know about purchasing airline tickets?  Comment below or send us your secret at secret@thesororitysecrets.com!

Bon Voyage!

Graduation Pictures 101

Graduation season is here and it's time to put on our caps & gowns and take those pictures that we send to all of our relatives!  We have done quite a few photo shoots for TSS and some of us have also shot graduation pictures for others so we decided to compile our favorite photo shoot tips so you have a list of guidelines to refer to when you take your graduation pictures!

1. The Less Outfit, the Better: Typically you pay a photographer per hour/photo edits which means that even if you shoot in 10 different outfits, you will probably only get about 3 photos with different outfits on.  Pick your absolutely favorite outfits so you get more pictures in those outfits rather than other outfits that you don't care for as much!

2. K.I.S.S. Keep it Solid & Simple- Solid colored outfits turn out cleaner in photos than a patterned outfit.  Don't choose an outfit that is going to take the attention away from you, the grad. 

3. Simple Jewelry, too!- Along with Tip #2, keep your jewelry simple as well.  Don't be gaudy and wear chunky jewelry- remember the subject of the photo is Y O U.

4. Check Out the Photog's Previous Work- Different photographers have different style.  The angles, filters, and edits- these are all things that can change the appearance of your graduation pictures.  If you like a certain look and style, make sure your photographer has the same!

5. Freelancers>Studio- This is just TSS' personal opinion but we prefer freelancers over studio photographers.  Freelancers tend to take more time and effort into making your photographs extra perfect.  Freelancers are also not as busy as studio photographers so changes and accommodations are a lot easier.

6. Natural Make Up- People tend to say to wear more make up when taking photographs, but don't get that mistaken with an extra line of eyeliner or go for the "smokey eye" look all of a sudden.  Keep it natural, wear your make up how you typically would wear it.  People are going to want to recognize you in your graduation pictures- not mistake you from a heavy shadowed high couture runway model.

7. Bring Powder & Blush- Pretty self-explanatory. If you're going to bring touch-up make up, don't you dare forget your pretty pink blush and powder!

8. Get a Fresh Mani & Pedi- You might think your nail polish doesn't matter, but well... they do!  You use your hands a lot when modeling and if you have chipped nail polish- shame on you! A perfectly coated nail polish will stand out less than a chipped nail polish so make sure to have a fresh mani & pedi!

9. Bring Someone with You-  Your photographer's opinion might be different than your girlfriends'.  If your hair is messed up, your photographer isn't going to know any better how you typically wear your hair- so that's when a best friend comes in handy!  Bring a friend or two to help out with the shoot but also throw out some opinions and to make sure that you look your very best and make you feel comfortable!

10. Take Pictures Early in the Morning or Later Afternoon- These are typically the perfect time because it's starting to get bright or it's about to get dark.  Too much sunshine could ruin a picture because of the harsh lighting so you want it when it's a bit bright.

These pictures are going to be with your relatives and family forever so make sure that you use these tips when you take your graduation pictures to have it extra perfect!  Mention us on Instagram so we can see your graduation pictures!  @thesororitysecrets

Congrats, Graduates!