Here you are – starting the best chapter of your life – while also joining the best chapter. Take notes, look around, and remember these days because I promise you that they will fly by. Joining a sorority is like no other - the friendships you make are unbreakable and the memories are endless.
It is hard to think that three years have flown by since I received my bid. I grew so much in what seemed to be a short amount of time. I made friends I couldn’t imagine living without and I gained a home away from home.
The excitement you feel when you receive your bid is beyond comparable, you don’t know whether you want to cry tears of happiness or scream with joy. Meeting your pledge class is a little awkward at first, but if you’re as lucky as I was, you will all click instantly despite your differences. But make sure you try to form a bond because they will be a huge part of your sorority life.
Your pledge mom's goal is to create the new best pledge class – don’t let her down. Study, study, and keep studying. Know the Greek alphabet, the history of the sorority, and of course, the alumni. After all, if it wasn’t for past sisters, the organization you just joined might not still be around.
Getting your bid is exciting, but finding out who your big is, is beyond comparable. This girl chose you to be her little – that feeling is a rush of excitement and pride that someone chose you. She will be your mentor, someone you look up to, and your best friend. The bond you have with her is different than the bond you have with any other sister. My big is my rock – I can’t count the amount of times I have needed her to help me, whether it was something big or small she has always been there.
When you’re finally in and officially a sister, make sure you take all the opportunities your sorority provides you with. Take on positions, attend events, and get to know the members of other Greek organizations. The most important thing you can do is wear your letters with pride and don’t take advantage of them.
Especially at a somewhat small school, everyone knows someone in your organization, whether you know them or not – they probably know you. You’re always wearing your letters even if you physically don’t have them on. You are representing something much bigger than yourself now; don’t let down the people who voted you in.
You’ll learn all the processes and soon enough, you won’t be the baby pledge class anymore. Newer, younger girls will fill the seats where you were once and you’ll move up in your sorority. Make sure you vote on girls who you feel will benefit your organization. Quality, not quantity, is the key. Get to know the younger sisters, and help them out as best as you can. They’re now the future of your organization and when you leave, odds are they will still be here.
During recruitment, you’ll learn that a rush crush is a thing – yes you will have a mini crush on a girl rushing. If you are as lucky as I was, your rush crush will become your little. You will look at your little the way you look at your own little sister; you will always have her back and stand up for her. I couldn’t imagine having a different little; mine is my mini-me and when I graduate, she will be the person I come back to visit.
As an older sister, I look at the younger sisters to fill the places of myself and my pledge class. You are the future of the organization and we all voted you in for a reason. You each are incredible and have a lot to offer. Like I said, time does fly so take advantage of every aspect. Get to know the older sisters as well as forming bonds with the younger ones.
