First of all, yes you read correctly. I belong to Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity. It’s gender and major inclusive; and the best decision I’ve made in my college career. My brothers have given me so much in the short time I’ve been involved in Phi Sigma Pi and I couldn’t be more grateful for each and every one of them. While I could write a list of over a hundred reasons why I am thankful for my brothers, here are just a few.

1. Self-love is so important.

While I’ve always known this to some degree, by entering into this brotherhood, I have chosen to surround myself with people that value self-love and strive to be the best versions of themselves. My brothers are some of the most giving people I know, but they recognize that in order to give back to the community, they must first be able to take care of themselves.

2. Take yourself seriously but have fun.

We value professionalism and we recognize the time and place for it, but we value each other’s friendship too. That means that study sessions in the library often end in us all uncontrollably laughing at vines.

3. Working together is always worth it in the end.

There are a lot of us, and we may not always see eye to eye, but if there is one thing my brothers have taught me, it’s that firstly, it’s okay to ask for help when you need it. Whenever I’m trying to complete a task that feels too large for me to take on, I know that I have 50 plus friends to turn to help me. Whether it’s proofreading my personal statement for my grad school applications to helping me plan and execute an event I have to host, I feel so lucky to have my brothers by my side.

4. You can be a leader.

I personally never really thought that I would be in a leadership position during my college career. But seeing that my brothers respect me enough and think highly enough of me to actually want to see me in these types of roles has pushed me to do things I never thought I would. Thank you for that.

5. You are important.

Seeing smiling faces and being greeted by huge hugs by each of you honestly never fails to make my day. Even on days when I’m feeling down I know I could call any one of you, and you would be there for me in seconds. Each of you has the ability to make someone feel like the most important person in the room, which is truly an amazing characteristic to have.

My brothers are a huge part of my success in my college career, and I will be so sad to leave them at the end of this school year. Thank you all for accepting me right away, countless laughs, loving me and my terrible dance moves, respecting me, and pushing me to do more than I thought I could do. You have shaped my college career in the best possible way and I will always be grateful for all of you. Love you all my brothers.