by Craig Krygowski, Southern Illinois ‘17

Summer is the perfect time to unwind after a hectic school year. You can leave the stresses of schoolwork and fraternity responsibilities behind and focus on enjoying the sunshine and relaxing. However, while it's important to recharge, it's equally crucial to stay connected with your chapter and brothers. If you're feeling lonely or bored, chances are, one of your brothers is too. Here are some easy ways to keep in touch with your bros:

1. The Group Chat

The infamous group chat. Whether your chapter already has one or not, it's a key tool for staying connected. If things have gone quiet, bring some life back into it! Share a meme or two, post a video from your favorite social event, start a debate about the best fast food, or talk about your plans for the upcoming year. Keeping the conversation going helps maintain the bond and keeps everyone in the loop.

2. Summer Meet-Up

Does your chapter plan a summer meet-up? If not, it's time to start! Summer meet-ups are a great way to reconnect, have fun, and get some planning done for the Fall semester. Organize some activities, fire up the grill, and enjoy the company of your brothers you haven't seen in a while. You could even coordinate with other Greek organizations for a big summer event.

3. Shared Experiences

Summer is packed with fun and engaging experiences, and at least one of your brothers will be down to hang out and try something new with you. Whether it’s a music festival, food truck fair, NASCAR race, or dog show, don’t hesitate to invite some bros along. Sometimes, the most spontaneous and random experiences end up being the most cherished memories.

Remember, staying connected over the summer not only strengthens your bonds but also makes coming back to campus in the Fall even more exciting. So, take the initiative, reach out, and make the most of your summer with your brothers!