As the start of classes begins to get closer and closer, so does recruitment for Greek Life. A year ago, I was on the other side of recruitment, being the potential new member. This year, I am one of the many trying to recruit the best for my fraternity.

It is so weird being on the other side this year. I look at recruitment with different eyes this year. I am so excited to meet all of the potential new members in a few weeks, whether they join or not, because those are new people that I can possibly befriend. Recruitment is all about joining a fraternity, but it is also about making new connections on campus.

A year ago, I was unsure if I wanted to even go through recruitment. So many thoughts ran through my head. Wouldn't it take up a lot of my time? Wouldn't it be really expensive? Isn't it a big commitment? But, alas, I decided go through recruitment, after all, I could go through and still decide not to sign a bid (even though I did sign a bid).

Let me just say, the answer to those questions is yes, yes and yes. Yes, it does take up a lot of time, but you learn how to manage your time wisely through this. Yes, it can be expensive, but you learn how to mange your expenses and work for your money. Yes, it is a big commitment, but you learn how to commit to something bigger than yourself.

Being in a greek organization has prepared me for the future so much already and that is what is so great about it. As I went through recruitment, so many people told me the benefits of joining and that was hardly brought up. So here I am, telling you now that being a fraternity prepares you for the future in so many ways.

I am so glad I went through recruitment. As an Orientation Leader, I always encourage the incoming freshmen to get involved how they see fit and I tell them that going through recruitment is an amazing opportunity to meet so many new people on campus. Throughout the week of recruitment, I met so many people that I did not know before, and now they are familiar faces.

By the end of the week, I knew I wanted to join a fraternity. I knew that I was ready to commit to something so amazing. Every organization has something different to offer and it is all about finding where you feel at home. I encourage all the incoming guys to go through recruitment, especially with an open mind. I encourage all the incoming girls to go through recruitment, especially with an open mind.

Some of the best relationships I formed my freshman year were through Greek Life. To the incoming freshman, have an open mind when fraternities come up to you at different events, because they have more to offer than you think.