When I was a new member, I remember being so excited to go on my first retreat with my sisters. It was a time that I could solidify friendships with my PC, meet sisters, and learn more about the sisterhood.
As a new member, the experience was nothing compared to what it was this past weekend as a sister. Actually having real friendships in the sorority, looking for my future little, and hanging out with my big all weekend made sisterhood retreat so much better this year, and I didn’t even know it could get any better.
Sisterhood retreat is a great experience even if you’re not super close to in the chapter yet because no matter what, you can’t avoid getting more comfortable with people. You spend the whole weekend in pajamas and bathing suits -- if the location is at the beach, like ours was, and no make up or hair need be done. You get to surround yourself with people who may or may not be new for you; either way, you leave feeling closer to each other.
My sisterhood got to go to the same hotel in Daytona Beach we went to last year, but the difference was noticeable after an entire year. I felt so much more comfortable and relaxed, and knew that I could talk to anyone or ask anyone to take pictures with me. I like to mention this because I know as a new member, this period can be awkward because you don’t know anyone very well.
We spent the whole weekend making s’mores and telling stories, hanging out and tanning by the beach. Our Programs VP, Stephanie Scalish, put every thing together so well, and we got plenty of time to relax and have fun. I was happy because retreat really helped me form a good relationship with my (future) little. At night, my friends and I walked the beach with new members and sat by the pool talking for hours. While this may all seem like a comparison to a romantic vaycay, it really did make us so much closer. It was perfect timing, too, because it was right before our big/little week, so it gave us plenty of time for both new members and sisters to pick bigs and littles.
Although, sometimes, sisterhood events with the entire chapter may seem strange at first, give your sorority a chance, because you never know what you might find out. Being in a sorority has a lot to offer, but it may just take time to find out what that is. The friends you make might not be your bridesmaids one day, but every person you meet will matter in their own way. The first couple of months may be tough if you’re not the most outgoing person, but after a while, you will get more comfortable with, and it will be so worth it.
