Fall is an exciting time for college students across the entire US. Along with the awe inspiring colors also come the promise of class as well as social lives once again. And while most campuses offer an array of activities, every year a crowd is drawn in to the mystery that is the Greek social system.
If you were anything like me freshman year, you knew nothing about the Greeks and what they stood for as I was the first in my family to rush but not only that, the only knowledge I had to rely on was from pop culture (which doesn't always paint the best picture of the community). But soon after joining, I was introduced to an entire new world of college. If you're anything like me and feel a bit lost and overwhelmed then hopefully I can help you ease some of those tensions with some advice that I personally learned last year.
Once you've received your bid, you will be thrown into a whirlwind of ritual lessons, history and founding, as well as sorority etiquette and what that means for you as a newly Greek woman. Between all the time spent with your new sisters and classes, life will seem pretty crazy. But my first piece of advice is take a breath and take everything one step at a time.
This interim portion is jam packed with activities to help you get to know your sisterhood and it's going to seem hectic because it truly is. It will not always be like this so remember to not stress over everything. You're going to have dozens of names thrown at you so don't feel embarrassed to keep asking who every one is as we were all there a short time ago as well.
In your first few weeks your older sisters are going to want to get to know you so if they ask you on a coffee date or to hang out don't feel intimidated about it. They've been preparing for your arrival for months now so their excitement is going to show through at every opportunity.
While you get to know your sisters, ask more about your sorority. During rush you only get to learn so much so ask about what it means to be alpha chi, why these amazing girls joined, or ask for favorite memories in the house. Get to know as much as possible about everything because this will hopefully be your new home for the next few years.
Plan bonding events with your pledge class! These girls will be your rocks in life and a good amount of them will probably end up living with you at one point or another. Start connecting and fight for the title of closest pledge class (You know those older girls are going to fight to keep their title) so really give it your all.
Lastly have fun. While everything is shiny and new attend everything and try out everything your sorority has to offer because you may find something you really enjoy doing, possibly even inspiring you to run for an exec position. You joined your house because you felt a connection somewhere along the line. Make this your home and your sisters will work to do the same for you. Friends aren't forever, but family is. Even if it's not by blood.
