Spring Recruitment just finished on Loyola Marymount’s beautiful Los Angeles campus and I’ve recognized that my friends, my peers and I have all been excited about our new sorority and fraternities. A new place to call home is exactly what I needed coming into my second semester of college. The first semester was great, but after adjusting to college life I definitely found myself looking for more activities and people to meet in my free time. After a weekend full of girl chats, nerves and, for some, tears of anxiety, the girls who went through the recruitment process were invited to join sisterhoods all over campus and I know that I can’t wait to begin my journey and get involved.
Though it has only been a few weeks since I have joined my sisterhood, as a new member, I have realized that there are still struggles and challenges to overcome. After thorough discussion with my friends in other sororities as well as my new sisters in my pledge class, we all felt the pressures to live up to our sororities standards and codes. I want to go over a bit of advice that I have given to my friends, my sisters, and myself to ease the trials of being a newly recruited sorority member.
First of all, don’t worry about “being liked” or “fitting in” with other active members in your sorority. These insecurities playing on your mind are totally unhealthy because you were specifically chosen to be a part of this organization. The girls you may compare yourself to are totally in love with you and your personality, which is why they thought you would be a great addition to their chapter. Don’t feel like you have to change yourself to fit the mold of a sorority. No one will ask you to change your morals, religion or values to be apart of a sisterhood, bffs just don’t do that.
Now there’s one thing for sure, you might not love everyone in your sorority. There will always be people who rub you the wrong way or do things that are in alignment with your values. Now don’t punish your sorority for recruiting them, as they might have seen a different side to this person that you haven’t met yet, one that may have similar values to the chapter. Always give people a second chance to make their first impression and don’t assume that you’ll be forced to be close to those sisters you might not enjoy as much. You are there to be kind and open-minded, so don’t ruin your chances of befriending others or ruin your reputation to be deemed that girl who judges a different girl, not a cute look.
With so many girls in one chapter of a sorority, don’t assume that you’ll be invited to or have to be apart of every social gathering whether it be a formal or dinner at chick-fil-a. Sororities are a huge time-investment, a worthwhile one, but all the same a lot of time is committed to chapter meetings and philanthropy events. Don’t feel obligated to have to go to every single girl hangout if your academics or body is struggling in the process. Take breaks to have “me time”, my favorite kind of time. Also, don’t have FOMO if you see your sisters hanging out and you didn’t get the invite! With so many girls in a sorority it’s impossible to invite every single person to every single gathering. Instead, maybe plan a coffee date or a movie night and invite some girls to get to know them better. If you reach out, they will keep you in mind for the next time your sisters hangout and they will extend the invitation!
Sorority life will be what you make it! It will be fun and fulfilling if you play your cards right by getting involved, building connections and developing lifelong friendships! You were wanted by your sorority to be a new, diverse addition to the chapter, so keep your head up and dive-in to this new journey!