PSA to college students across the nation: it’s that time of the year again. You know, that time where you’re constantly reciting your creed in your head and wearing lettered shirts everywhere you go? Or if you aren’t Greek but you’re planning to rush, that time where your feet are bleeding from running in heels across campus while analyzing every bit of conversation had in your previous rush party. No matter what recruitment Season looks like for you—whether you’re the rusher or the rushee—it’s probably pretty stressful, time-consuming, and occasionally frustrating. At the end of the day however, recruitment is an extraordinary experience, and it’s vital to focus on the things that make the difficulties all worth it when your fuel is running low. So here are five reasons why you should love and value your recruitment experience, regardless of how many blisters and how few hours of sleep you may get in the process.
1. Quality Time
As an active, the further you get into your sorority experience, the more you may struggle to find down-time with your sisters in the midst of your busy schedules. Recruitment provides not only a few days during the actual process, but also weeks of preparation where you can spend time with your sisters. Isn’t it nice when things are mandatory, because you and your friends all have the same schedule? So value your ‘built-in’ quality time, because every moment is precious in this crazy world we like to call college.
As a Potential New Member (PNM), recruitment allows you to get an idea of what spending time with your sisters will look like. Take advantage of those chances to get to know new people and see where you feel at home. There is nothing more precious than time spent having intentional conversation with all of the actives and PNM’s you will meet. I promise, you’ll look back and be grateful for that quality time you had with a few specific women, because the conversations had with them will be one of the main reasons you choose to join your future sorority.
2. New Friends
As an active, it’s easy to get wrapped up in your friend group within your chapter or pledge class. While you love all your sisters, you each have a few you share everything with, and there aren’t often opportunities to expand that circle in such an intentional way. Recruitment provides time and desire to get to know all of your sisters better. I mean, you all joined for a reason right? Find out what those reasons and allow that relatability to help you mold new friendships
.As a PNM, likely you are going through recruitment with hopes of finding a community of people that you identify with, a community that will be the support and love you need. While it’s easy to consider making new friends after bid-day with your pledge class, take advantage of befriending your recruitment counselors and fellow group members, too. You won’t all end up in the same sorority, but that’s what’s so great about rush groups—they provide you with a chance to meet all kinds of girls you may not have run into otherwise. Take advantage of that.
3. Giving Back
As an active, giving back is my favorite part of the entire recruitment experience. Think about every blessing your sorority has bestowed upon you over the years—from best friends, to job offers, in good times and bad—it’s served as a foundation through it all. Where would you be without your sisters, without the girls you can cry to and not be judged, without the events and community service you’ve experienced alongside your chapter? Who were you when you were a pledge, and who are you now? You’re a better version of yourself, because you chose to surround yourself with a group of women that radiate love and strength in such a unique way- a way that speaks to your heart. Now it’s your turn to do that for someone else. Recruitment is your time to pay it forward by pouring into every girl you meet so that they can find their home, just as actives did for you when you were a PNM.
As a PNM, recruitment is the time to start your college journey as a servant-leader. It is the start of a new chapter for you. It’s a new platform for learning and growth opportunities that will build your character, so that you can give back to your school, community, and future sisters. Joining a sorority means joining a group of women who are regularly involved with volunteer-work and care for their campus- what better way to give back is there?
4. Tradition
As an active, Recruitment will allow you to recall all the traditions, privileges, and honors that you became a part of when you were initiated. You’ll be reminded of why you fell in love with your sorority and why it’s so special to be part of its history and legacy. You’ll allow your creed and the meaning of it to resonate with you on a whole new level. Most importantly, you’ll get to share in these traditions with your sisters at your side.
As a PNM, you’ll get your first glimpse into the rich heritage of sororities across your campus. Some traditions may speak to your heart more so than others, and those moments will play a crucial part in your decision making process come Preference night.
5. Adorable Pictures
Obviously, this last reason may seem a little superficial or irrelevant in comparison to all the other reasons you should love recruitment, but there’s so much more to it than you’re thinking.
As an active, you’ll capture valuable moments with your sisters that you can keep forever—in a photo as well as in your heart. When you graduate, become and alumna, or simply have a rough day, you will be able to look at those photos and relive the joy you experienced in those moments. You’ll be reminded of the quality time, the new friends, the service, and the traditions. You’ll be reminded of why you’re so thankful to be a Greek woman.
As a PNM, the pictures you take during recruitment will serve as tangible reminders of the journey you began as a sorority woman. You will look back and remember your recruitment counselor, and how she turned out to be in the sorority you pledged. You’ll remember your best friend, how you survived rush together and found your new homes. You’ll remember accepting your bid, and you’ll realize how that was one of the greatest decisions you ever made.
So whether you’re an active or a Potential New Member, there is so much to love about recruitment. Therefore, when the days feel long and the nights are short, when you spill coffee on your white jeans for Philanthropy Day, when you start to wish it would all just be over already…don’t. Instead, as an active recall the impact your sorority has had on your life, and channel that gratitude. Greek life helped you find your home, now go joyously help the PNM’s find theirs! LOVE recruitment, because it provided you with the strongest love there is: the love of a sisterhood.
