Dear Soon-To-Be Sorority President,

I want you to do one thing for me before you read this letter: take a deep breath. Feel better? OK, good. That tip is going to be your saving grace for the next 12 months. Use it often and in excess.

This term has been a whirlwind. Our chapter has overcome obstacles, we’ve been thrown our fair share of curve balls, and had to make tough decisions.

But, with all the struggles came greater good things like winning Greek Week and successfully raising tons of money for our philanthropy. This goes without saying that my pride in our chapter always outweighed the times I was distraught over something. This role was among the greatest gifts I’ve been given and the experience of a lifetime. Something you will surely feel as your term carries on.

To be honest with you, there isn’t really a handbook to this whole presidency thing, although that is something we’d all love to have. Sure, I could train you on handling the email/text message floods or the meetings and meetings and meetings…But, without a doubt, you’ll find your own groove. Although I fumbled often throughout the year, forgetting things here and there, I can guarantee you’ll make it. This role will build you up and give you the confidence to use your voice, conquer anything and, most importantly, lead an incredible group of women who support you endlessly.

You have goals, plans, and tangible ideas that I know you’ll put your full effort towards. So, the only true advice I can give you on that end is one that took me a while to figure out: make sure you listen to your own voice and stick to your values. You are, and should remain, your number one priority—and that includes your thoughts, which matter SO very much.

Throughout this year, it’s going to be a hurricane of excitement and positive energy. There are moments when you’ll be so in love with it all that you’ll never want to give it up. There will also be times that you get so overwhelmed and feel like it’s you against the world. In these moments, don’t lose sight of the things that have always been important to you. Remember that you have over 100 sisters to rally behind you. You have advisors for guidance. You have an Exec team for inspiration. You have friends and family, outside of this chapter who will give you a different perspective and a break from the chaos when you need it. Confide in these people and I promise it will be well worth it.

As you can see, this letter isn’t me giving you a suggestion for the future, or any of the technical stuff. I know all of those things are essential, but this position tends to run a little, for lack of a better term, outside of the box. This is the position where you need to be reminded to truly take care of yourself. You kind of find your way with the rest of it as you go.

I wanted to leave you with advice you can carry with you everywhere you go, every day of your presidency.

So, Future President: don’t get down on yourself, stumble around as much as you need to (perfection doesn’t exist, and I’m glad it doesn’t! Life is more interesting that way), and recognize the diversity of our chapter.

I’m proud to call every, single one of these women my sisters. Without them, I wouldn’t have survived. Remember why you came home to this place and why these people proved themselves to be your people time and time again. The rest will fall into place.

All that’s left is to be you and let grace carry you forward. You got this.

Sincerely,

Outgoing Prez