Balancing Greek Life and MMT

This week, we invited Allie Clements, a rising Junior who joined last year, to write about her experience in Miami Mock Trial. If you know Clements, you know she is active in Greek life at Miami. We value our members’ interests in organizations outside of MMT—and we value they put MMT first among their interests. So we invited Clements to share her experience juggling MMT and Greek life. 

Clements, right, with fellow competitors Taylor Persely, left, and Sarah Quinlivan, center.

College life is an experience—an experience that provides various valuable opportunities and activities to choose from. The eagerness to become involved when I began school at Miami University was nothing short of exciting. During my two years at Miami, I have made three important decisions that will shape my remaining time at Miami. 

Decision one: rush a sorority. As a freshman at Miami, I decided to rush a sorority in the spring semester. I was excited to join because my older sister was as involved in Greek life during her four college years. I soon became a member of Alpha Chi Omega, completely immersing myself into all of the opportunities this sorority had to offer: leadership positions, hosting events, philanthropy, sisterhood activities, bonding experiences. It was everything I wanted. 

Decision two: join Miami Mock Trial. Flash forward to first semester of my sophomore year, I made a spontaneous decision to try out for Miami’s Mock Trial team. After preparation and a rigorous try-out, I was flooded with excitement when I found out I made the team. 

Between academics, Greek life, and mock trial, I questioned whether I overcommitted. Inevitably overwhelmed, I felt inclined to drop an activity, thinking this would make things more manageable. Having to make the decision to de-commit myself from one of two organizations I was incredibly passionate about, two activities that I knew would provide me with extensive opportunities in their own unique ways, I concluded that the only answer was to make both work. That was my third decision, and it may have been the best of the three. 

Today, I am still a member of Greek life, becoming more involved every chance I have. I have simultaneously been learning more and more each day as a member of MMT, the most significant being the opportunity to compete at ORCS as a first year competitor. I learned I could do both, but, more importantly, I learned to prioritize. If I carve time out of a Tuesday morning to plan a philanthropy event, I know I must spend that afternoon/evening prepping for an upcoming mock trial tournament. Prioritizing like that is a valuable skill—something I wouldn’t have learned if I didn’t decide to keep both organizations on my plate. At the end of the day, time management and prioritization allows me to engage with my sorority and commit to MMT with the dedication the Legacy deserves.

Clements, left, at an Alpha Chi Omega event.

Clements is a valuable member of our program and we’re happy she decided to stay. MMT is a priority that pays big dividends. If you think you have what it takes to join, check out our auditions process here, follow us on social media @MiamiMockTrial, and keep an eye out for us on campus and at Mega Fair.