Every girl going through recruitment has a different experience, that's a given. But one thing that every girl shares about her experience is that she meets some amazing women and has a chance to find her new home on campus. And even though it's only the beginning of the Fall semester, I know I'm going to make some amazing memories with my sisters!

Like most people, though, I have seen movies and TV shows where the president of a chapter or Greek Life was not so smart, only had boy problems, and worried about being popular. And I was so wrong to believe that.

I'm kind of ashamed to admit that I had the misconception, before I headed off to college, that sororities were going to be filled with girls who partied and didn't care about academics or studying. But it turned out my mom was in a sorority during her college days, and she ended up breaking out the photo albums and showing me how they were still all friends on Facebook! One of her sisters was even staying in Florida as part of their summer vacation, and she took me to go meet her and her family. We all had a really nice time, and they even dished out some memories and stories they had from when they were in college together. My mom and her sorority sister hadn't seen each other in about 30 years, and yet, they were talking as if they just saw each other yesterday.

So, I thought to myself, "Maybe I do want to join a sorority."

I asked my mom more about what it was like. She explained how it wasn't how I thought it was at all. In fact, she said that if I joined a sorority, I would find people who would encourage me in school and be there for me when she couldn't physically be there. And that's what kept replaying in my head as I was going through the process before school started. I remember, on one of the days for recruitment, my mom told me, "I think you are going to like this because you'll be part of a 'big family,'" and since I've been an only child my whole life, I was excited for that big family aspect! Granted, I had family friends and cousins, but we don't necessarily talk or hang out every day; I felt like being in a sisterhood was going to broaden my horizons somehow.

When it came to picking between my top two sororities, I could feel the rest of my college experience in Greek Life sitting on my shoulders.

The women I met through the recruitment process were so nice and approachable, and a lot of them left great impressions on me. But when it came to picking between my top two, I felt a lot of pressure, since it would be my new home for the rest of college. When I sat down and talked with one of the girls from one sorority, it felt like I was talking partly to myself, and the same went for the other sorority. I felt like, no matter who I chose, I was choosing myself. It was an incredibly difficult decision as I was so curious to see myself grow and live in both, but I finally chose my home! Meeting my sisters, while abiding by COVID-19 and CDC guidelines, was absolutely amazing, and I am so happy I made this decision. It was like hanging out with friends I had never met before and instantly clicking with them. It felt like I was home.

I'm so excited and happy to see the person I am going to become; I'm eager to grow and make memories with my sisters, as well as the beautiful women of the other sororities.

If you are thinking about joining a sorority, and you have the capability to do so, please take the time to check them out and meet the people involved, even if you don't end up joining one. I promise it'll be something you won't forget.