With the spring recruitment season upon us, Greek life is opening its doors once more to recruit new members of brotherhoods and sisterhoods. This is an exciting time for campus, with having the semester and students come back, many people are eager to try something new. Personally, last spring, I never thought I would be joining Greek life, but I am so glad that I did. Here is what you need to know.

1. Girls are everywhere.

I remember when I walked into my first recruitment event, there were sorority girls left and right. I was a little overwhelmed by the new faces, and was intimidated to start a conversation. But have no fear, the girls know how nervous you may be, and will make you feel welcome.

2. Be aware of dues.

Paying dues is something every member of Greek life dreads, but it needs to be done. Dues typically go into the budget for food, activities, transportation, and formal. Make sure before you join that you are going to have a reliable way to pay for them, as in having help from mom and dad, or fitting the dues into your budget. (And, dues are more affordable than you think).

3. Be aware of the time commitment.

Once you accept your bid, your life basically is all about your sorority, especially being a new member. Once you are initiated, the craziness dies down, and you understand how everything works, but expect to see your sisters at least three times a week, doing some sort of activity. It can be from studying to sisterhood activities and mixers with other organizations.

4. A lot of information is thrown at you at once.

Sororities have a lot of rules to abide by, and routine guidelines to follow. On top of that, you need to memorize the history of your sorority and what the values are about. It feels like a lot of information at once, and you may not think you can handle it, but you can! It just takes some getting used too.

5. Having a Big sister in your sisterhood.

Everyone gets a Big sister when they join a sisterhood. Having someone to lean on in your sisterhood, someone you can always go to, either if it is a coffee date, sleepover, taking a class together, and having late-night study nights, she will always be your sister to lean on, and most likely, your new best friend. Then sometime down the road, you can be someone else’s Big sister too!

6. Formal season.

At the end of each semester, Greek life celebrates our hard work and commitment to a formal dinner and dance. At large schools, formal can last an entire weekend, but at smaller schools, it is usually one night. We all dress up in long dresses and our dates in suits and ties and take tons of pictures, and have a nice dinner together, and end it with a night of dancing.

7. All the stereotypes that you hear about sororities are not true.

You may hear that sororities are trashy, and full of stuck up rich girls. That they are only ‘buying your friends’, and that they are mainly a rich people thing, (just to name a few). But all of those stereotypes are so wrong. All of the girls I have met are very down to earth, and hardworking. They aren’t stuck up at all, and are just as broke as the rest of us college students. Also, sororities and fraternities have an image to maintain, with achieving good grades, and keeping a good personal image in person, and on social media. Typically, if someone is acting inappropriately, it is taken care of immediately by the organization.

8. Weekly chapter meetings.

Every week or so, your chapter will have a meeting to discuss chapter business, and discuss voting, upcoming events, organizing events, volunteer things, etc. It is basically a formal business meeting, and is done very routinely. Business attire is required, along with your sorority pin. If both aren’t present, you are sent home. Some meetings are informal, and you can wear whatever you want, but those meetings tend to take longer so beware!

Joining a sorority was one of the best decisions of my college career, and it really changed my life. I highly suggest this to anyone who wants to put themselves out there and meet people. Greek life has changed my life for the better, and I encourage you to join Greek life at your university!