Recruitment season is upon us, and girls across the country are signing up for the awaited week-long showcase of sororities. Perhaps you already know what sorority you have your heart set on, or maybe, if you were like me, you have no idea who you want to dedicate the next few years to. Whether you're at the start of recruitment or you're about to decide your final pick, I have four words to say to you: Don't. Pledge. Phi. Mu. There are eight reasons that I can come up with why you shouldn't pledge Phi Mu, and here they are:

1. Don't pledge Phi Mu if you’re not willing to give back to your community.

In the 164 years Phi Mu has been established, it has been a place where young women have the opportunity to contribute to society in a variety of different ways. Through volunteering, Phi Mu's around the country have raised money for their chapter’s philanthropies and to our national philanthropy, Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. Each year, Phi Mu raises over $500,000 to help support over 170 Children's Hospitals nationwide. This year, my chapter at Nicholls State University raised over $30,000 for the children, and I could not be more proud to have partaken in the event. Joining Phi Mu has given me the choice to lend a helping hand to my community in countless of different ways, and like me, Phi Mu will give you the same, if not, more.

2. Don't pledge Phi Mu if you don’t want to make a difference in people’s lives.

I know, I know, cliché. However, every opportunity Phi Mu has given us has been a chance for us to change someone in some way or another. Phi Mu is not just about raising and donating money, it's about giving hope and love to others. A ecstatic hug when we see a sister walking by on campus. A "Are u okay??" text when we see a sister feeling down. A visit to Children's Hospitals to play with the children. A missionary trip with our sisters to a third-world country. Phi Mu will be a positive change, not only for you, but for others.

3. Don't pledge Phi Mu if you don’t want to create a lifelong bond with your sisters.

Yes, another cliché. You’ll hear girls from different sororities say this again and again, but I can 100% attest to it. Not only have I met girls who I now consider as my BFFs, but I have created an even more incredible bond with my two current best friends who pledged Phi Mu a year after I did. Every where I go, I have a sister. I don't ever have to sit in the back of classes by myself or awkwardly workout at night when no one is around because I know I can text or call a sister out and they'll be there. I even found sisters five hours away from my college town. Everything from sharing our thoughts in a twin bed at Phi Retreat to midnight outings to the "haunted" plantation has a special spot in my heart and memory. It's those little moments that make me realize that without Phi Mu my life and friendships would not be the same.

4. Don't pledge Phi Mu if you don’t want to meet your future bridesmaids.

You know, writing this, I realized that I had already subconsciously created my list of bridesmaids for my future wedding—that is, if I even have a wedding. This list includes not only my biological sisters, but my sorority sisters, all who have stood by my side through thick and thin, literally and figuratively. I now know if they could withstand through my crazy 3-second outburst, they can stand on the altar as I force my future husband vow to be with me until the end. And if not, at least I know I have my faithful sisters to take his place.

5. Don't pledge Phi Mu if you don’t want to find your true self.

Once again, yet another sorority cliché: "you'll find out who you are," "you'll be able to be yourself," blah blah blah. I always thought I already knew who I was, independent, confident, and ambitious. But as my time as a Phi Mu lady increased, I realized that I am more than just an independent, confident, ambitious woman. I'm all those three things combined, plus more. I didn't know it when I accepted my bid, but Phi Mu was going to better me. I didn't know Phi Mu could ever create a woman beyond her capabilities. Through my sisters, I learned to accept, not only myself, but my sisters for who they are. I'm not afraid to be myself nor am I embarrassed to showcase the world my double chins or my weird, sarcastically funny personality. Now as I begin my final year, I realize Phi Mu has molded over a thousand of unique girls into rare beauties.

6. Don't pledge Phi Mu if you don’t want to have the best college years of your life.

I decided to go through recruitment my sophomore year. Why? I have no idea, but I spent a whole year watching my future sisters from the other side. Don't get me wrong, I had a great freshman year. I met new friends, I traveled, I worked, I did my thing; however, my first year as an official Phi Mu lady, I did all the same things, but now, I carried Phi Mu with me. I went to our sporting events with my sisters, I went on road trips with my sisters, I danced with my sisters, I even napped with my sisters. The two years I spent in Phi Mu, I can honestly say has been the best two fun-filled, eventful years of my life.

7. Don't pledge Phi Mu if you don’t want a door of opportunities to open.

Phi Mu opened up a door to a new beginning for me: new friendships, new jobs, new goals in life. My parents never really understood how a sorority could open a door to opportunities. Even though I failed, Phi Mu gave me the chance at a boyfriend, I also got a new job thanks to one of my fellow sisters, and one of my biggest accomplishments, I was elected into the our Executive Board as Provisional Member Director. When I welcome our new members in the fall, I will be able to witness the hundreds of new opportunities Phi Mu will open for them.

8. Don't pledge Phi Mu if you can't practice day by day love, honor, truth.

"Love, honor, truth." There is not a doubt in my mind that those three ideals hold a special place in every Phi Mu lady's heart. "To practice day by day love, honor, truth" is our last, most important line of our beautifully written creed. To us, it's not just a line. It's what each of us believe and is held accountable for. It's our way of life. Striving to achieve this is our ultimate goal, and it will be yours too, if you accept your bid.

Being Phi Mu is not a choice--it's a blessing. Phi Mu has given me so many things that I didn't even realize my life ever needed. This year is my last year as an active member, and as much as it saddens me, I cannot wait to see what Phi Mu has in store for my current sisters, myself, and possibly to you, my future sister. LIOB