Dear Fall '16,

I want to start by saying welcome! Welcome to the organization that you decided you wanted to be your home away from home for the next four years, and many more. You went through an extremely tiring weekend and week, but you have finally made it! You have opened you bid, ran to us, and experienced your first ever bid day. So now what?

Believe it or not, now is when the fun really starts. Now that you have found your home you get to start getting to know these new girls as your sisters instead of just girls in a room. You are finally a part of us. We have welcomed you into this chapter because we genuinely want you here, just as much as you want to be here.

However, before you get so caught up in the experience, I encourage you to take a step back. Look at who you are as a person, because when you get to be where I am, a senior in the chapter, you will look back over your years in this organization. As I look back to when I was in your shoes, I can't help but realize just how much I have grown as a person since my first few weeks after bid day.

I came in as a girl that was not quite sure what I wanted to do or who my friends were going to be through this journey. I am now on the other side. I am about to graduate with a degree in a major that fits me perfectly, surrounded by girls I never imagined would be the people I would have on this amazing journey with me.

The girls that I have met through this organization have been the girls that have become my family. You probably have no idea how these girls surrounding you will effect your life but trust me, they will. I encourage you to reach out to your pledge class and also the older sisters. Make memories with these girls. When you become a senior, those memories will be what makes graduation not so hard to deal with.

I also encourage you to do things that put you a little bit outside of your comfort zone. Not really sure about living with 20 other girls? Live in the house. Kind of scared to stand up and talk in front of people? hold a leadership position and talk in front of your chapter. Don't always want to go out? Have a night out once a week with the girls. I promise you, you will never regret any of these decisions.

I guess what I am trying to tell you is that never take anything that this chapter gives you for granted. As a senior looking back there are so many opportunities that I wish I would have taken and as I leave you with the future of this chapter in your hands, I encourage you to not make the same mistakes that I did. Live your four years up to the fullest and truly embrace these girls as your family. I promise you that when you are about to graduate, which guy you kissed on new years eve your sophomore year will not be the memory you look back on. It will be which girls you sang "Money Baby" with at the top of your lungs while getting ready for formal.

Live it up. Have no regrets. Make the next 4 years your best years yet and make friendships that will last a life time. Worry more about finding your bridesmaids and less about finding your groom. I am so jealous that you are just now starting this process and want you to have an amazing experience just like us seniors have had.