It’s that time of the year again - parking on campus is insanely bad after 5:00pm, you can hear girls screaming from their houses across campus, and freshman girls are walking through campus in grove attire.

 It’s formal recruitment week in Oxford, MS!

Contrary to popular belief, girls gain so much more when they join a sorority than a plethora of t-shirts, although that’s definitely a perk. While they may not be expecting it, from the minute they throw on that jersey on bid day, they’ve gained a new house, new friends, and a lifelong commitment.     

So what is pledging a sorority really like?  

1. Bid Day is kind of scary and so much fun! 

I’ll never forget running to my house on bid day. I was so full of happiness that I could barely see straight. But where are all of these friends that I’m supposed to have? I probably knew about five to ten girls total, with a pledge class of 118 and those girls that were three grades above me. It felt like I knew virtually no one. In a way, it’s kind of like your first day of school: there’s going to be those girls that know everyone, then there’s going to be the new kids who are lucky to see one or two familiar faces.

2. You won’t click with everyone in your pledge class. 

I’m a super outgoing person, it’s just my nature. At the same time, it’s just so unrealistic to think that you’ll be best friends with every girl in your pledge class. Not everyone gets along (we are girls, it happens), and sometimes it’s very difficult. We can't help it. 

3. You’ll end up with more belongings with Greek letters on it than you ever imagined.    

I’m talking t-shirts, cups, socks, fanny packs, canvases, bumper stickers, and maybe even an inflatable pool (or two). There will be so much stuff that you don’t know what to do with it and every square inch of your dorm room will have some kind of relic. On the bright side, you’ll have plenty of options to hand down to your future little (getting started early)!

4. You will become insanely busy.  

Between pledge retreats, new member meetings, swaps, formals, and chapter meetings, as a freshman your schedule will go from virtually empty to full in about a day. These are all fun activities, (even chapter…sometimes), but make sure you keep up with schoolwork and don’t forget to give yourself a second to catch your breath.

5. It will all be worth it because of the friends you will make.   

Rush is a fun, yet draining week. But it is all so worth it in the end. You’ll meet some of the most incredible friends and mentors of your life. These girls will see you laugh, cry, embarrass yourself, and everything in-between. These are the best years of your life with the best friends you could ever have!