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9 Things I learned on the Road

  • ztatlc.alisoncolangelo
  • Jun 17, 2018
  • 5 min read

As I'm getting ready to take on year number 2 as a ZTA Leadership Consultant, I often find myself reflecting back on the past year and every thing I've learned about this job, Zeta and most importantly myself!

1. live in the moment & live simply

Something I've been really focusing on this year is to try and live more simply, less material items and more experiences, to try and live in the moment. This job was a great way to exercise this newfound lifestyle.

Because we travel so much and don't come home that often, we only have our 2 suitcases to carry every thing we need, sometimes months at a time. I realized that I didn't need so many clothes, shoes, decorative pieces all over my room to live the best version of my life!

2. Bid day really is the best day

At my university, we didn't have big Panhellenic Bid Days, and so one of the things I was most excited about during my first year as a Consultant, was Bid Day!

Bid Day is the day that the women going through recruitment receive invitations to join a sorority. It's incredibly exciting for the new members, as well as current chapter members because they get to welcome new sisters!

I was able to attend 5 bid days throughout the year! I loved every minute, from dressing up to themes to watching the New Members open their bid cards and run home to their new sisters, there's no better feeling than the ones you get at Bid Day!

3. Be intentional about Sisterhood

The thing I enjoy the most about this job is getting to meet and make connections with sisters from different chapters.

The best piece of advice I got before starting my year of travel and the best advice I can give now is to make time and be intentional with the relationships you make with the collegiate women. Stay up late and have those lasting conversations, dress up with the ladies and go to that sisterhood they invited you to, make the most of the few days you get to spend with them.

I've made so many amazing friendships with sisters all over the country and it's especially exciting that a few of them are starting as consultants this coming summer! You never know when you'll cross paths again in Zetaland.

4. taste everything

If you know me, you know I can sometimes be a picky eater and that my diet normally consists of pasta and a good grilled cheese. However, as I traveled around this year, I couldn't help but indulge in some new foods and I'm so glad I did!

I also had no idea there were SO many different fast food places I had never even heard of or tried. This year I've experienced, Zaxby's, Smashburger, Varsity, Sonic, Bojangles and Whataburger all for the first time. In-N-Out was by far my favorite!

Some of my favorite meals include: Ice Cream Potato (📍West Side Drive In, Boise, ID), Dole Whip (📍Disneyland, California), Maryland Crabs (📍Higgins Crab House, Ocean City), Lemoncello Crepe with Homemade Marshmallow Fluff & Lemon Marscapone (📍The Aviary Cafe & Creperie, Springfield, Missouri), and of course the many acai bowls I've eaten all over the place.

5. There's no such thing as a 'boring' small town

Springfield, Missouri Mural

This year I've been to 13 different states, a few major cities and a lot of small towns. More often than not, every one thinks that their small town is boring. But, some of the coolest places I've experienced aren't your normal tourist locations. Embrace the visit and find the coolest thing to do in your area!

Baldwin City, Kansas

Each town has their own quirks and specialties that make it unforgettable. One of my favorite small towns I visited was Baldwin City, Kansas. I could walk from the Zeta House downtown in about 2 minutes. I had a bakery I frequented and an adorable garden I loved to read and work in. It's all about finding beauty with it's enriching influence!

6. FaceTime will quickly become your best friend

In today's world, social media and apps make it so easy to stay in touch with friends and family! Our team of consultants took full advantage of things like GroupMe and Snapchat to stay in touch, but it's always great to use FaceTime if you need to see a friendly face!

I'm so lucky to have the best friends, family and chapter sisters that make leaving so tough!

7. #(t)lcforlife is a real thing

2017-2018 Leadership Consultants

Becoming a consultant is like joining a family! There are so many former consultants that came before us and paved the way for our chapters and Fraternity as a whole. It's been an honor to get to know them throughout the year as they continue to build up ZTA in National Officer roles.

You often hear the phrase "(T)LC for Life" which means once you get involved volunteering, you're in for life! It becomes such a small Zeta world as we join alumnae life and it's such a treat to get to work with these ladies at their chapter and get to see them at our yearly summer conferences. I've learned so much from them!

8. Step out of your comfort zone

"The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience"

I've always tried to say "yes" to just about every thing this year and as a result I've gotten to make some really wonderful memories. From ziplining in Virginia to swimming in the natural springs in the Boise mountains, this year has brought many new adventures that I wouldn't trade for anything!

9. Collect Something

I've always had collections and this job was no exception! If anything, I collected way too much, but it's all about the memories so why not!

Over the year, I collected Polaroids, Zeta buttons, a sticker from each university I visited, a post card from each state, and I made sure to take a picture with each and every college's campus sign.

LC End-of-Year

The end of an exciting year culmintaed in our LC End-of-Year in Carmel, Indiana! A weekend reunion for all of our consultant team to finally get together and swap stories from the road.

We turned in our resources, ate cupcakes and celebrated the end of a successful year! We finally got to see the new Zeta Tau Alpha headquarters which is absolutely breath taking. I can't wait to return this summer for another round of training!

We had so much fun hanging out all together and catching up, especially over some Top Golf and dinner. Most of us hadn't seen each other since August and there were a lot of tearful hugs as we said goodbye before we got on one final flight home.

I'm incredibly excited to get back on the road and meet the new 2018-2019 ZTA LC team and reunite with my fellow second-years! Only one more week!

Next stop is Orlando, Florida!

 
 
 

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© 2018 Alison Colangelo

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