As a sophomore in college, I thought I had everything I needed. I was great friends with my roommates and was doing well in all my classes, but I was missing something. I was missing a social life and that feeling of having a home away from home. I was missing the feeling of being a part of something that mattered and having a passion for something. These are the reasons that I chose to go through recruitment twice and not give up on finding my home.
My first time I went through recruitment, I was a sophomore. My roommate wanted to join a sorority but she did not want to go alone, so I decided to go with her. My reasons for wanting to join Greek life were superficial, I wanted to meet new people and I was doing it simply for something to do.
After spending the week with the two amazing sororities on campus, I had decided going Greek was something I wanted to do. Unfortunately, the timing was not right. I was unable to accept a bid from either sorority due to unforeseen reasons. I left bid day in tears.
I spent the rest of the year watching my roommate head off to socials and events with her sorority sisters. It was when I saw all the fun that she was having that I realized there was so much missing from my life. I did not have many friends. I did not feel like I was at a place I could call home. I realized my longing to be a part of something bigger. It was then that I realized why I truly wanted to join Greek life. Everything I was missing I was able to see in Greek life. I knew I needed to try again.
During my junior year, I was ready more than ever for recruitment. I made sure all my ducks were in a row and I was going to accept my bid. I showed up for the first day of recruitment ready to go. I was excited and more nervous than ever. At the end of the week, I received my bid and was welcomed into my new home with open arms and tears of joy.
This was the best decision I had ever made. Choosing to go through recruitment twice was a difficult decision, but once I realized why I wanted to truly be there, I knew I could not give up on what I wanted. Once I became part of my sisterhood I knew that I had found my missing piece. I started to gain a social life I never dreamed I would be able to have. I met new people and grew close with individuals I would have been too shy to approach before. I was pulled out of my comfort zone and am now a part of something bigger. I am part of a group that cares and one that I can say I am proud of. I now have a passion for something and have found my home away from home. Going through recruitment twice was the best decision I ever made and I wouldn't trade it for the world.
