This is about the time in the year when many young women who are soon graduating high school or even college women who are thinking about spring recruitment or the next fall begin to get reference letters and recommendations gathered and really contemplate if they want to join greek life. I remember this time last year feeling flooded in a flurry of letters and recommendations and honestly being overwhelmed by the process of joining a sorority, but can I tell you it was worth it. Here are a few things I have learned in my time being a sorority women.

Have Your Voice Heard: Become an Odyssey Creator

1. You get to be a part of something bigger than yourself through philanthropy work and service. I've loved working with our philanthropy committee this fall and other school-wide events because it allowed me to give back to the community that has poured into me. This fall, a Texas A&M's sorority hosted their annual Songfest in which my sorority and many other organizations diligently work through dance practices and performances to compete for a donation for their specific philanthropy. Although, the coolest thing is that this amazing service event raised enough money to send a young cancer patient to Disney! How phenomenal is that to send such a deserving young girl to the happiest place on earth? If you have a heart for serving others, Greek life is a great opportunity to give back and love others.

2. You join an instant community of women that share the bonds of sisterhood with you in a large university where it can be difficult to find "your people". You will probably always have a sister in at least one of your classes, which is a great way to get to know girls you may have never even known!

3. You become a part of a society with rich history and traditions. Each sorority is unique, but I think its pretty neat to have the opportunity to be a part of a sisterhood that was started before it was even the norm for women to be in the educational setting. Sororities allowed unity to build and encourage women in a time where collegiate life, knowledge and power was frowned upon in women.

4. It teaches you how to be well rounded with time management and responsibility. Most sororities have a way of keeping merit points or similar systems that keep you in good standing with the sorority, but also include a ton of fun sisterhood events. This also encourages you to be involved in other aspects of campus life, jobs, and volunteering which allows you to be an impactful student on your campus. It may sound like a lot, but it really allows for you to balance social life, academics, and personal time while being actively involved in your community.

So if there is even just a smidge of your heart that is considering going through recruitment, I hope that you take the chance. I hope that in college you become a part of something bigger than yourself and truly invest. I hope you take the chance and say yes because it will be the only time in your life to be surrounded by a community with such potential and opportunity. I guarantee you will not regret it, gig'em and go greek!