As a someone who went through formal recruitment as a sophomore, I highly recommend that if you are a freshman even slightly thinking about it, you should do it. I wish that I would have understood more of what Greek life was my freshman year.

Since I waited a year, I missed out on having my sisters in my dorm hall and doing all the other freshman things together. I have still made amazing memories with my sisters, but most of them are with girls that are my age, but went through recruitment a year before me. Which is fine, but there's just something extra special about being close to the girls in your own pledge class.

If you were to ask any sorority girl about formal recruitment, I'm almost positive you would get the same answer from everyone.

"It's the best week of my life, but I would never want to do again."

Why?

It's hectic. There are so many girls. It's literally scorching and you’re sweating through your nice, new, white skirt you just bought. You have 5 minutes to get from one party to the other. You haven't had breakfast. Does this sound stressful yet? But at the end of the week when you open your bid, you see your new crest. Your new letters. It would SO be worth it.

When you join a sorority, you do gain so many sisters, especially if you're apart of a bigger chapter, like my sorority. But that doesn't necessarily mean you now have 200 new best friends. Everyone in the sorority won't be your best friend, but they are still your sisters. It's kind of similar to biological siblings. You don't always like these girls or what they do, but you are still there for them. You have an entire chapter of young women who hold themselves to the same standards that you hold yourself to.

Being Greek is so much more than socials, parties, and glitter. It's endless hours of planning bid day. Countless meetings to put together philanthropy events. It's sisterhood events where you grow closer as a chapter. It's Sunday lunch after church with your sisters. It's crying in the parlor of the sorority house because you just failed your second test of the week and your best friend just gives you hug. It's unasked for prayers when your chapter knows you need them. It's accountability. It is so. much. more.

I never, in a million years, would have pictured myself a sorority girl. After just one year, I couldn't see myself without these women. I have grown in ways I didn't even know I was able to. I started doing things I was always too shy to do. If it wasn't for Zeta Tau Alpha, I wouldn't have met some of my best friends I've ever had. I wouldn't be writing with The Odyssey today. I wouldn't have coached a little league soccer team. Never would have worn blue lipstick. I wouldn't even have the wonderful roommates I'm going to have in the fall.

So, again. I sincerely suggest going through formal recruitment. It gives you an opportunity to be welcomed at every house on your campus and to find the best home away from home.