Running into multiple strangers’ arms, getting glitter thrown at you, and gaining 180 sisters all in the span of a day. If you’ve ever had the strange pleasure of going through Recruitment or Bid Day, you know that the array of emotions matched with some weird songs and chants in just about every house you enter, is sometimes too hard to take. However, the benefits are endless and you will find your support system, your home, and most importantly your new family. Here are my hopes for my new sisters and I in the next six weeks:

1. To be each other’s support group

We are going to have each other for the next 3 years and beyond, so don’t be afraid to start letting that wall down. You know, the one you usually hide behind in front of most new people? We are going to be the girls who show up at 2 am with Ben and Jerry’s when our fellow sister is upset. We are going to be the ones praying she gets the internship or the job. We will be the crazy one’s screaming for our girls in the Greek Week Dance. We have gained a whole network of caring individuals who have our back through thick and thin and we should be so fortunate for that.

2. To never be bored

We have just been thrown into a chapter of about 180 girls, all of whom have amazing personalities and are dying to get to know each and every new member. Grab coffee, have a study date, maybe go see the new 50 Shades Movie because what else says sisterhood better than Christian Grey. My point is, don’t think of sorority or the six week new member period as a terrible and overbearing time commitment. Take advantage of every single day, every invite to the house, and every moment of laughter. These girls are your new family and you should be taking time to get to know both the good and the bad of their past and work to become a part of their bright future.

3. To learn how to get involved

Whether it’s helping to plan the next social or date party, managing finances, or working to do the most for your chapter’s philanthropy, getting involved is key to a successful start to your new sisterhood. Besides working for a good cause, getting involved is the best way to bond and connect with sisters of every age. Don’t be afraid to plan an event with a junior or start getting contacts of seniors who you want to work on a committee with. Making connections is not only good for finding your place within your sorority, but it is also a life skill and you never know what connections you will have to rely on once you enter the “real world”.

4. Step outside your comfort zone

Roller Skating, laser tagging, or crazy house scavenger hunts- attend them all. They might sound ridiculous and you may have broken something the last time you went roller skating (I may have a personal back story), but just go. Once you are doing these bizarre events with your new sisters, it will be worth it. You can look back on them 3 years from now and laugh with everyone as you reminisce about how so and so ate sh*t or the time you had to go steal some boxers from the fraternity next door. You can’t grow as an individual or let alone grow in your relationship with other people unless you step outside your comfort zone and do things out of the ordinary.

5. Apply the motto

We live one heart one way, every single day. One heart: love everybody in the same way and the best way that you can. One way: aim for the same hopes and dreams. Follow in the same direction as your sisters and work to achieve a common goal. Whether that is research and fundraising for your philanthropy or a simple goal like learning each other’s names, work on it together. Help one another out and cheer each other on along the way.

One heart, two letters, fifty six new members, but a lifetime of memories are about to begin. You may think this is cliche but sometimes you have to ignore the gushy moments and accept that you are finally home where you belong. You have a whole new family who loves you dearly and cannot wait to begin this journey right beside you.