1. CONGRATULATIONS
You attended all the parties, cried through every philanthropy story, signed your bid card and finally got to run out into your new sisters arms on bid day. You now have your forever home, and we are so happy to have you.
2. Yes, we will stop annoying you. Maybe, at some point.
As sorority women, our new members are a huge deal to us. You guys are the way our chapter grows and continues our legacy. So we want to know everything about you. Every chance we get for the next few weeks will be spent trying to eat lunch and dinner with all of you, doing fun things with you guys, posting on your Facebook wall and just getting to know the amazing girls that we now call sisters.
3.It is okay to feel a bit overwhelmed
Last year after I joined, I had no idea what to expect. How much time would this take? Could I go home on the weekends sometimes? Who in the world was going to be my date to all these functions? I have to pass a test to be initiated? I want you guys to know feeling this way is totally normal. It's scary, you're trying to get to know a ton of new girls all while balancing school and figuring out what sorority life is all about. Everybody feels this way, and you are not alone.
4.Go to the functions
You just joined a social organization, BE SOCIAL! Since you've been at college you've probably hung out with your roommate mostly, made a few friends in class, and if possible went home on the weekend. Well not anymore, you have a whole sorority of girls who you can eat with, hang out with, and have fun with on the weekends. So do not miss out on all that. When your sorority has a function, GO. That's what makes sorority life fun. You get out what you put in.
5.You will not be instant best friends with everyone and that is okay
In the beginning you are going to meet so many girls. However, after a few weeks you're going to sit back and say "wow I only hang out with 4 or 5 people in my sorority." That is perfectly fine. In time you will make some of the best friendships you will ever have and eventually get to know almost everyone, but these are not things you can rush. It took me almost a whole year to find two of my favorite people in the world, they were in my sorority the whole time, it just took me a little while to find them.
6. You are where you belong
I hope you never do, but if at any point you start to doubt your choice, know that you are exactly where you belong. The sorority that gave you that bid gave it to you for a reason, because they loved you. If they thought you were worth that, give them a chance and you just might find that you love them back.
7.Greek unity is a real thing
There's a good chance that your best friend or roommate ran another direction on bid day. This doesn't mean your friendship is over. You will still hang out like always, your friendship probably won't change, and it is perfectly fine that you guys didn't end up in the same sorority. Look at this as an advantage, while you still have a best friend, now you guys can make new friends apart from one another.
8. It is okay if your big isn't instantly your best friend.
I hope you get the exact big you wanted. I hope you and her have an instant bond and you guys have a friendship like no other, however this isn't always the case. If you and your big aren't best friends I can promise you, you will find another girl in the sorority that will act as your big, and you guys will have the best friendship.
9. I love you
I don't know each and everyone of you yet, but I love you all. You are all amazing women who are strong, beautiful, and capable of doing great things. You wouldn't be my sister if you weren't. Always remember someone has your back (a whole chapter of women) and if they don't I can promise you I will. Never ever feel uncomfortable to call, text, or tell me any area of your life where you're struggling with something and need help, because I will always be there to help you in any way possible. I will be your lunch buddy, your 1am call to carry you back to your dorm, your shoulder to cry on and most importantly your friend. You will always have a friend in me.
