As I stood in the Thunderdome a few weeks ago, jumping up and down screaming my sorority “burst” – our anthem essentially – in front of a thousand girls about to open their bids, I found myself reflecting on when I was in their position just three years ago. A nervous freshman, feeling like a fish out of water at such a big school, scared to put myself in an environment where I might not be chosen for what I wanted to be part of. But also having the chance to feel seen by people I want to know, and who could become such a big part of my life.
Back in my day, we opened our bids on commencement lawn, but sitting in a circle, waiting to figure out where your ‘home’ on campus is, nervous and tired from days of endless talks with strangers trying to find someone you could connect with, still feels the same. And looking back as a now-senior, it might have been the best decision freshman me ever made.
Coming to UCSB from a small town just a few hours north, I didn’t really know what to expect in my college transition, but I always knew I wanted to join a sorority. My aunt and cousins were in Greek life, and as a social person, it seemed like a community I could fit into. I was excited to dress up and see all the huge sorority houses. All my home friends had gone through rush and already seemed so happy with a million friends, and I was excited to join in the fun.
Surprisingly to my friends now, I was super shy during the actual recruitment process. I didn’t expect how choreographed every round was, and I was super confused about who to talk to when another girl joined the conversation to “bump” her sister. I listened to my Rho Gamma and did not look at online reviews like YikYak or opinionated websites to allow sorority ‘rankings’ to influence my opinion and only knew a mutual friend in another sorority going into the process.
I felt underprepared at times when girls in my Rho Gamma group already had connections to these other sororities through home friends, and I essentially didn’t know anyone. Recruitment is hard. But I am so glad I decided to continue despite these mental challenges, because when I opened my bid on bid day and got the house I loved throughout the process, I immediately felt so excited for what was to come.
As a senior, I can testify that everything I thought would happen did. I met the girls who have given me smile lines for the rest of my life and helped me with everything, from recovering after a long-term breakup to figuring out what to do for the rest of my life. I lived in my amazing sorority house, dragged mattresses into our room for mega sleepovers, and always had someone to turn to for advice.
I studied abroad and visited my sisters across the world. I formed a connection with my “big sister” and became one myself, now about to become a “Great-great grandma.” Through my three leadership roles, I’ve gained so much experience and felt the meaning of giving back to the community through our philanthropy. I have had the experience that I dreamed of at 18.
There were tough moments throughout the process, but they never outweighed the positive impact joining my sorority had on my college experience, and I know it will continue to for the rest of my life. Joining and staying in a sorority is expensive and a huge time commitment. But it has also been the best investment I could have made for myself, and I will be proud to carry it forward because this experience isn’t just for my college years; it’s forever.
Joining a sorority isn’t for everyone, but putting yourself out there to join an organization, even when it feels nerve-racking, can be the most rewarding thing you can do, and I encourage everyone to try. For me, that was Greek life, but for you it can be a club, sport, professional group, etc. The most important thing I will end on is to dive into what you join. You get more out of things when you put more into them. Experience things to the fullest!