Going through formal recruitment is a big decision to make. The week is exhausting and as you pound on the under-eye cream and try to keep your eyelids from drooping you will be faced with door chants and speaking to girls who could potentially be your new sisters. As the weekend is taking place you may feel stressed and possibly confused, but once the weekend is complete the whole process will be a blur and you will be left with only good experiences to come.
Last spring I made the decision to sign up for formal recruitment. I was a sophomore and one of the biggest hesitations I had was the fact that I already found my place on campus. I had a group of friends and I was situated so I wasn’t sure if I wanted to make the time for a sorority in my already packed class and work schedule.
At the time I didn’t realize what I was missing out on. I would go home for breaks and wish that they would never end. As much as I loved AU and being in DC, I just couldn’t escape my homesickness. I also felt a huge loss within my social life. The friends I had made since beginning at AU were all so fresh. Sure we had been through a lot together in a short period of time, as most college students find as we live among one another; but I still missed the connection and history that I shared with my friends from home.
After accepting my bid I was overcome with texts and Facebook messages from sisters who wanted to get coffee and lunch. I had a few sisters in some of the final general education classes that I was taking and I no longer had to struggle through these lectures alone.
Through all of the new friends that I made, both within my organization and beyond I still found it easy to maintain the friendships that I had made before joining a sorority. My planner became one of my closest friends through it all, but I don’t have any regrets there.
During spring break when it was my first time to go home since signing my bid I began to reflect back on what the two months prior had brought to me. I had become more outgoing, I no longer found myself overthinking the conversations I was having with new people because I had had the opportunity to meet so many new girls who loved me no matter what my faults were and supported me through it all.
Joining a sorority as a sophomore has enhanced my college experience academically, socially and philanthropically. Now almost one year since joining I am looking forward to what the next year will bring and feeling envious of the new members who are just beginning a remarkable opportunity.