I remember going through recruitment not knowing the Greek alphabet, what a “big” was and hearing PNMs have no idea what that meant at all. It was like I was dropped off in a foreign country, having no idea what people were saying or where to go next.

Recruitment is a HUGE part of going back to school. The women in all sororities will tell you how much time and effort they have put into this upcoming recruitment already. It’s a big deal bringing new women into your chapter who will one day run it and hopefully continue to better it. We have to choose the right girls who we can trust, whom we know will be committed, ready to lead and ready to change the world one step at a time. So here are the terms you will hear in every chapter you visit; words that sound foreign, but will become second nature once you have found your home.

Biggie/Big: Your big is your mentor, life line, the person you will turn to in hard times, the one you can trust, the person who teaches you how it's done and overall your best friend. She’s been in the sorority longer than you, and it’s a mutual choice process on how you find each other when becoming big and little. You will know your big once you've met her; it’s like love at first site, soul mates, BFF stuff. She will teach you how to dress for chapter, how to talk to boys and just help you out whenever you need it. She’ll also share Cousin Vinny’s with you whenever you don’t want to eat the whole pizza by yourself.

Little: Your now the big and you have to find the perfect little. It’s nerve wrecking to know that you will one day have a little who you will have to teach all that your big has taught to you. She’s the one you’ll Woman Crush Wednesday, because you’ll probably be too obsessed with her. You also get to craft her lots of fun things and make her fall in love with your chapter as much as you did. Teach your little to be a leader and always be the perfect role model for her.   

Greek Fam: Your Greek Fam is your big, little and your big’s big (Grand Big). It’s like your family away from home. They’ll always be there for you and always be your biggest cheerleaders. Your Greek Fam is important, go out to family dinners and make sure to spend time with and get to know each and everyone of them. Soon your G Big will be gone, you’ll miss her and wish you would have had more time before she left to become a real life adult.

Twin: If the Big has two littles the littles are twins. Big is to Mom, as little is to children, if there are two they’re twins though. 

Chapter: Chapter is a weekly meeting with your entire group of sisters, a time to reunite and see everyone after a long week. You will have formal chapters where you get to dress up pretty and informal where you can just wear jeans or casual clothes. Chapter is a catch up of what is to come in the next week, or even month. Planning is done here, and overall it’s just a big meeting and excuse to see your sisters.   

Philanthropy: Philanthropy, something every women should be very proud about, not just within their own sorority but also in the Greek community as a whole. Each chapter has a charity they raise money for through fun events, like Watermelon Bust where you have different events using watermelons, or Turtle Tugs where you are raising money for chronically ill children to go to camp by playing tug-a-war over a pool of jello. Each group has their own cause to raise money for and it is great to participate in other’s and not just your own.

Bid: A piece of paper that determines your fate. Once you open that envelope on Bid Day, you will know your new home. After the long process of recruitment you will get a bid from a sorority that you both mutual have decided on. They have to like you and you have to like them. Where you get your bid from will be your new home, and you’ll have so many new sisters awaiting your arrival.   

Bid Day: AKA Christmas. The best thing about ending the long week of recruitment is Bid Day. After you anxiously open your envelope with your bid inside you will get to run to your new home. All your sisters will greet you and it’s like a giant celebration. It is AMAZING. So much chanting, screaming, happy tears… it’s seriously the best day ever.   

Letters: Your letters are the Greek letters of your chapter.  You will now proudly wear them on your bags, hats, shirts… really anywhere you can put your Greek letters. It’s so great to be able to have pride in your letters, and remember you are always wearing your letters even if you are not physically. Have pride in your chapter and don’t let your sisters down.   

PNMs: Potential New Members are girls who are going through the chapters in search of their new home.   

Sisterhood: The best thing about joining a sorority. You may not become besties with everyone but I can promise you that you will have over 100 girl’s numbers who you can call in whatever situation and they will answer. They will come over and talk to you, they will hold you when you’re crying, they will pick you up when you are down and they will never make you feel alone. You can do anything knowing you have your amazing sisters having your back. So remember to always be true to yourself and your sisters, because they will always be there for you. Joining a sorority isn’t just for four years, it's for a lifetime.