Dear Newest Sorority Pledges,
Congratulations! You have made it through the excruciating week of recruitment and are now joyfully "throwing what you know" all over the place. You are wearing the cute t-shirts, going to swaps with the cute frat boys, and making hundreds of new friends. The latter is the most important aspect of being in a sorority. It is not just a social club, it is an organization made up of unique women who are willing to pour their hearts into yours. You will get NOTHING more than t-shirts and some photos out of a sorority if you do not engage with the girls, of all ages. I hope that you realize this and that the older pledge classes have already made you feel so loved. The beginning of your time in a sorority can take time to warm up to. There are so many girls and it can be intimidating! My advice is to meet everyone and be involved in everything from the start. Eat every meal at the house and sit with someone different each day. Be involved in every way possible, even if it is something you feel you would not normally do, just do it because it is time spent with you sisters.
In order to enjoy the fun parts of being in a sorority you have to attend the not so fun activities or perform not so fun tasks. Just do them! It is not that bad and if it has to be done it is because it is a national or Panhellenic rule. It is performing these tasks or attending these activities that draws you closer to your pledge class. You are so lucky to be a part of an organization where each member truly cares about you - so let them care about you, and you care for them in return. When you care about the members, you will care about all things that pertain to your sorority. You will believe that your sorority is the BEST, and it will be the best for you because you have embraced the sorority in every aspect.
Girls, you have no idea how deep the relationships can be and how many other connections you could make just by going below the surface of what you thought a sorority was before pledging. You now have:
- many sisters to care for
- a philanthropy to be passionate about
- a house mother and kitchen staff that wants you to feel at home
- an entire Greek community that helps you get involved on campus in any way you want
- advisors and alumni that look out for your chapter
- an organization whose members hold you accountable
EMBRACE ALL OF IT. Enjoy every moment of being in a sorority the next four years and let the members pour into you. Be present for your sorority and I promise your time as a member will be filled with love.
