Being handed a schedule and then mapping out your whole semester around all these requirements and events can be overwhelming, depending how you look at it. Your mind can be spinning with so many new things, but you have to be possitive! Being Greek is a great experience, you have a sisterhood that sees so much potential in you and they want to show you all your strengths. there are a few things you need to know in order to get settled in before the semester gets too hectic.
1. Organization is key
Pick up an agenda, it’ll make life easier to balance. There’s a lot of events that you will have to attend for your sorority, especially as a new member. You need to start managing your time from the beginning, so that you don’t get too lost in the rhythm of things. You now have a support system that is willing to work around your schedule and to assure you will be able to attend all necessary events. Don’t hesitate to speak to those in higher authority within your chapter because all they want is to see you succeed, in fact they’ll be expecting you to reach out for help.
Always remember that you chose to take on this journey of a sisterhood, and it’s your responsibility to follow through with attendance and to be around your sisters as much as they want to be around you. In the long run, you’ll feel as if you’re missing out on some of the best times of your life if you don’t plan accordingly and make it out to your sisterhood events. These times are precious and some of the best you’ll experience in college, you’re going to want to be around for all the laughs, cries and adventures that will come. Don’t leave things to last minute, just plan your days and weeks out accordingly so you can give the right amount of time to all the different aspects in your life.
2. Events, events and more events
There are already days that you feel like you have so many things to do, now imagine adding events on top of that. At first, you’re going to start thinking about whether you want to even go to these events that your sorority or other organizations are hosting. Don’t miss out on them!
No matter how crazy your schedule is, showing up for these events will remind you of all the good you’re doing for your community. Every organization, including your own, put in so much effort to bring awareness to the causes that they hold so dear to their hearts. From pageants to philanthropic events, to sports and sisterhood retreats, your presence is needed in all of them. When you’re overwhelmed with everything going on around you just remember that your attendance and contribution helped impact a life, spread awareness and raise funds for a cause.
You may think you’re just one member of an organization, but you now play a big role in your community. You are now part of something bigger than yourself and this isn’t something to take lightly. It can get crazy to handle, but you’ll find yourself drawn to wanting to help build, paint and decorate for these events. Your drive to help others and spread awareness within your community will grow, and you will begin to see how your efforts are recognized and put into effect. These are the moments when you will see that events aren’t just events, they hold a bigger purpose. Sure, they might give you headaches and maybe they’ll land on that one weekend you wanted to go out, but nothing will ever beat leaving your own mark in the world with your sisters by your side. A little effort and a big heart can go a long way.
3. Being surrounded by love
It can be a bit scary to enter a new part of college where you end up finding your home and are welcomed by more than 100 women. It may feel like you’re stepping into a new world, and you might not even know where it’s going to take you. Don’t put your guards up. Your new-found sisters want to get to you know you, but they also want you to know that they care for you. It can be a hard thing to wrap your mind around sometimes. A bunch of women caring about you when you barely know them is hard to believe, but it is true.
Sisterhood is about the bonds it gives you, and how they will follow you for the rest of your life. Your new sisters want you to feel welcomed and asking you to lunch or texting you from time to time are all genuine acts of kindness. You are now part of a bond that will take you as you are and will never ask you to change, will love you unconditionally and will always be there for you. Don’t doubt them, because they will never doubt you.
It’s okay to a little skeptical, but always have an open mind. You ended up right where you needed to be, you trusted the process and you let it guide you to your forever home. It can be unsettling thinking there’s something you need to live up to, but that’s not the case. Your sisterhood doesn’t expect you to reach these imaginary goals and change yourself to meet a certain look, they want you to set your own goals and allow them to come along for the ride to see you conquer them. Sisterhood is… a love like no other, that can’t be replaced and will never leave you. Get ready for the best four years of your life!
photo by: Cassie Ann
cover photo by: Cassie Ann