I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with recruitment. As a PNM, I hated it. The days were long and stressful, and I had no idea where I wanted to end up. As a sophomore, I loved the chance to buy cute outfits and talk to new people, and actually ended up being a pretty good recruiter. This lead to me being VPMR the second semester of my sophomore year and first semester of my junior year. I loved the experience and learned so much from it, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to handle being a recruiter again, so I became a recruitment counselor during my senior year. I had an amazing time and loved seeing girls find their new homes, but the one thing I missed was not being able to be at preference night to share my experience with both the PNMs and my sisters about how AOII has shaped my life. Here’s what I would have said then if I had the chance.

“When I was sitting where you sit now my freshman year, I never thought I’d be the woman standing in front of you today. I didn’t know where I wanted to end up, but I didn’t think it would be here. When I opened my bid, I was conflicted, and contemplated not even going to bid day, but my recruitment counselor told me to give it a chance. From time to time, I think about how her words four words, 'give it a chance,' truly changed my life, and I wish I still had her number so I could thank her. Because without her guidance, I likely wouldn’t be here. And I wouldn’t have the amazing sisterhood that I have today.

My college career has been riddled with rough patches. Some so intense that it’s a miracle I still go to school here. I can say without a doubt that if it weren’t for my sisters, I likely would have given up. I still have the notes they wrote me my sophomore year, saying they would stand by me and help me, no matter what.

I remember at one new member meeting my freshman year, one of the seniors asked my pledge class to raise their hands if they’d ever take an executive position. I was one of the few who did not. The reason why was that I had no confidence in myself. I didn’t think I could command a room, lead a group of people to do something great, or make an impact. Luckily, I proved myself wrong. I told my Big I was interested in being VPMR, but that I didn’t think anyone would vote for me, and she told me to go for it anyway. My sisters had more faith in me than I did in myself, and I ended up getting the position. This changed the way I thought about myself, and I’ve been more confident in my capabilities ever since. Now, any time I want something, I go for it without hesitation.

Every pledge class is different, and mine started out with groups that would occasionally mingle with each other. When you’re just starting out, sometimes you tend to cling to certain people, and you think its easier to stick with them. Luckily, we’ve now become one big group that truly loves and understands each other. Some of my best friends are people I never thought I’d be close with my freshman year, and I can’t imagine life without them.

Apart from the rougher times, the majority of my college experience has been so fun thanks to this group of women. I have some incredible stories I’ll tell my grandkids one day to make me seem cool, and the majority of those stories will involve the crazy times my sisters and I shared together. Whether we’re frolicking around Court Street or just going to Walmart at 1 A.M. on a weeknight because we have nothing better to do, we always have the best time and they make my life more fun.

I’m a completely different person than the girl I was when I was sitting where you sit now. I was afraid I wouldn’t fit in. I was afraid to branch out. I was afraid I couldn’t lead. This support system of sisters has truly changed me for the better. Trust me that wherever you end up, you’ll have the best times of your life, as well as a group of sisters to support you during the worst times.

Everyone always says, 'it's not four years, it's for life.' I hope this is true, but I’m sure the four years that we were here together will have been the best part. College is rough. Life itself is rough. But with this group of women by my side, I know that everything will be OK. I’ll be forever grateful for the amazing experiences I’ve had with them so far, and hopeful that there will be many more to come."