Dear Freshman Self Going Through Recruitment

Dear Freshman Self Going Through Sorority Recruitment,

Cheers and tears. Chants and rants. Rushes and crushes. Put all of these pieces together and you have the beauty of recruitment. Whether you love it or hate it, it’s something we can all relate too. Being a sophomore this year, I was lucky enough to have my first experience on the other side. With it being one of the longest, yet rewarding weeks of my life. Through all of the sweat, sleep deprivation, and junk food consumption that occurred, bonding with sisters I had hardly ever spoken too, and welcoming home all of our cute new members on bid day, made it all worth it.

Be Yourself

If I could go back to my freshman self-going through recruitment and tell her what I know now, I would say, “just be yourself”. I can remember going through and thinking about how bad I wanted to fit in. What I found was that each chapter has special and certain qualities that make them who they are. It wasn’t until bid day, that I realized the chapter I wanted to be a part of, liked me exactly for who I was, and I didn’t have to pretend to be anyone I’m not. I think this is important for every girl going through recruitment too remember. You may have your eye on a certain chapter or want to join, because you have friends in that one. But honestly ask yourself, “am I being my abnormal, weird, goofy, crazy self, or am I having to put up a guard, afraid to show the real me?”

Don’t listen to haters

Coming from a small town where the only time the word, “sorority” was even mentioned was in the movies, take Animal House for example. No one ever viewed it in a positive light, focusing on the negatives the media portrays, and I was given a lot of flak when I told my friends I had signed up for recruitment. Looking back on the mean comments and hatefulness I endured, I would tell my freshman self not to absorb their comments, and what you are about to endure is the best decision you will ever make in your entire life.

You will make friends who might not end up in the same chapter

I have only known these girls for a little over a year, but these are friendships that I know will last a lifetime. A wise person once said, “friendship isn’t about whom you’ve known the longest, it’s about who came and never left your side.” I am not just talking about my sisterhood, but the entire Fraternity and Sorority life at my school. Some of my greatest friendships were made going through recruitment last year. Even though we all joined different chapters, we still remain friends, and I know they would do anything for me. Which is so important for girls too remember, that no matter the letters you wear, you will make friendships with girls in other chapters. That is one of the best parts of joining, getting to learn and grow with other girls going through this same crazy process.

Image source: http://timesdelphic.com/2013/09/16/recruitment-impacts-identity-self-development