.:Clubs and Organizations at FAU:.

FAU has a wide array of clubs and organizations on campus. These clubs serve the interest of many students. The Association for Computing Machinery, American Medical Student Association, the Pre-Dental Society, FAU Film Production, Geology Club, FAU Linguistics Society, National Society of Black Engineers, Philosophy Club, Pre-Law Fraternity, Caribbean Students Association, Japanese Animation and Multimedia Society, and Fencing Club, just to name a few.

Overall, FAU has 40 academic organizations, 19 Honor Societies, 18 Religious Organizations, 16 Diversity Appreciation Organizations, five Service Organizations, 25 Personal Interest Organizations, 12 Club Sports and seven Student Government Agencies.

For those interested, FAU also allows students to participate in creating the student newspaper; the University Press. Students can DJ for the student radio station (Owl Radio) or help produce film/TV for Owl TV. Intramural sports are also available.

.:Fraternities and Sororities:.

Fraternities and Sororities (for some) are an integral part of the college social scene. For some, joining the greek family enables them to have friends and affiliations that they would not have had ordinarily. Upon exiting college life, greek affiliations can even land members high-paid positions.

Although there are no "oncampus frat houses" currently, FAU plans to build eight Greek Houses within three years. "I think this would add a lot to the school spirit and many more students would be interested in attending the university and becoming a greek," said Vanessa Charlott.

Every year FAU's fraternities and sororities hold "Greek Week". This is an entire week of competitions for FAU Greek organizations to interact with one another. Greek week usually happens during the Spring semester. This year the competitions included flag football, basketball, skit night, volleyball, tug-of-war, three-legged race, swim relay, obstacle course, a talent show, a dance marathon and a Greek Awards Banquet.

FAU's Fraternities consists of:

• Alpha Epsilon Pi


• Alpha Nu Omega


• Alpha Tau Omega


• Beta Chi Theta


• Beta Theta Pi


• Kappa Alpha Psi


• Pi Kappa Alpha


• Lambda Theta Phi


• Phi Beta Sigma


• Sigma Alpha Mu


• Sigma Phi Epsilon

However, the National Panhellenic Sororities consists of:

• Alpha Kappa Alpha


• Alpha Nu Omega


• Alpha Xi Delta


• Delta Phi Epsilon


• Delta Sigma Theta


• Lambda Theta Alpha


• Phi Sigma Sigma


• Theta Phi Alpha


• Zeta Phi Beta

.:Living at Home while in College:.

" I just could not afford keeping up my own apartment on a minimum wage job," says Grace Kelly of Nova Southeastern University, that seems to be the general consensus of most first and second year college students (especially). New students have yet to learn how to manage their own money in order to financially support themselves. While living on her own, Kelly remembers, "Sometimes I wouldn't have anything in my refridgerator but baking soda!" she said.

Living at home and saving money on rent seems to be the way to go, especially with the cost of gas and commuting on the incline. The average rental is at least $800. Even studio apartments are expensive. With the cost of books, tuition, food, and gas you can almost forget about recreational activities such as movies, clubs, and just hanging out with friends.

Although college is a time when one struggles to find their own independence, many college students find themselves very dependent on their families and supportive friends to help them get through the college phase. Even a simple thing like laundry can become a major financial burden, which is why many students find their way to their parents house to wash those dirty clothes.

When money is low, Kelly tends to "bum food off my parents. Whatever's in the refridgerator can become a meal. You know how many egg sandwiches I've had," she says with a smile. These times I'm sure will be looked upon fondly. The harder to endure, the sweeter to recall.

.:Making New Friends:.

Packing up and leaving behind everyone you know to go off to college can be devastating. All your high school friends, your family are long gone leaving you all alone in a sea of unfamiliar faces. In all the excitement getting to college, students rarely think of the potential loneliness once they get there.

Not to worry though, college campuses are usually bustling with people so it really isn't that hard to make new friends. Besides, there are other students in your same situation that are eager to make new acquaintances too. Here are some tips for making new friends in college:

• leave your dorm room door open when your in there. (Lock it when your not!) This will show people that you are friendly and approachable. Pop some popcorn and allow the scent to travel down the hall. Inevitably, someone will pass by to say hello, giving you an opportunity to strike up a conversation.

• Particularly, FAU students that are interested in finding new friends should participation in major events and activities around campus. Comedy Clubs, Karaoke nights, Step Shows and Workshops are just a few of the events that are available on campus. At the Boca Raton campus in particular, the cafeteria, the Breezeway, the University Center (UC) and Wackadoos Grub and Brew are great hang out spots. Some students prefer keg parties and clubs.

Rebecca Willis remembers her freshmen year as being, "scary, I didn't know anybody and I felt like an outsider. But I met a lot of my friends in the dorm and in the Breezeway." She is now in her senior year and quite popular. Her tip for students wishing to make friends, "Just be friendly," she said with a smile.

Most of all, just have fun and enjoy your college experience! It's the last time in life that you'll ever be free, so live it up! Go out there and make life-long friendships.

.:Commuting:.

Commuting to the various Florida Atlantic University campuses can be a real hassle. What with road rage, bumper to bumper traffic, finding parking, and the rising gas prices, most students know all too well how much of an inconvenience traveling back and forth to school can be.

I recently caught up with Sherbi Dubois, 21 who used to travel 45 to 50 miles each way to the Boca Raton campus. She has now graduated and she is "extremely glad I graduated when I did, gas is like $4 a gallon now! And I live in Miami!"

For other students like Christopher Wilkes, the problems of commuting are compounded by the simple fact that he "has no air-conditioning in my car. So I get angry every time I have to stop at a red light. By the time I get to class I am damp from sweating bullets!"

With all the technological advances in place, it almost makes you want to seriously consider purchasing a hybrid. They run on less gas which is good for the environment and that in and of itself would make the cost of commuting a little more bearable. With all the money students would save in gas, it might make them kinder, more gentler drivers and subsequently decrease the amount of road rage in and around FAU.