It's almost time for the spring semester to start at Ohio Wesleyan University, which means that our sorority Formal Recruitment is less than a week away! To get into the Greek life spirit, I thought I'd use this week's article to write about why I chose to go through Formal Recruitment my freshman year, as well as why I am so incredibly glad that I did.

When I came to Ohio Wesleyan, it was both refreshing and scary to be in a new place where I didn't know anyone. I met a few friends immediately and became close with others as the semester went on. However, as my first semester at college came to an end, I felt like I still didn't totally know where I fit in at my school. Don't get me wrong, everyone at the school was friendly enough and I had made some pretty great friends, but I just felt like there were still so many people I didn't know on campus and so many possible connections that I was missing. My entire family had been previously involved with Greek life and, although none of them pressured my decision, they each shared with me over time the great experiences they had as a part of a sorority or fraternity. So, at the end of my first semester, I decided to take the plunge and sign up for Formal Recruitment.

Going through Panhellenic Formal Recruitment at the beggining of my second semester was both exciting and nerve-wracking, but the process assured me that I definitely wanted to be a part of Greek life on campus. I got to meet so many people just in that week, whether they were Rho Gammas, affiliated women, or other potential new members, some of which I honestly hadn't even seen before on campus. Going through Formal Recruitment helped me to step outside of the bubble I'd created for myself in my first semester, which gave me the room I needed to grow.

At the end of Formal Recruitment, on our Bid Night, I received a bid for the Alpha Rho chapter of Delta Zeta. We went ice skating together and it was a truly memorable night. Over the course of the next few months, I grew to know and love the ladies that I proudly call my sisters. The best thing about my sisters is that each and every one of them is genuine and sincere, meaning that I can always trust that they are being honest about their opinions. I received a Big, a G-Big and, surprisingly, a Twin, all three of which are hilarious, loyal and powerful women that I am so lucky to have in my life. I became close with sorority women from all different backgrounds, each with a completely unique personality and outlook. I think my favorite part of being in a sorority is the fact that many of my sisters are very different from one another in terms of style, interests and personality, but that we all support one another in our separate endeavors and then come together in working to better our world, upholding the values of our sorority and celebrating our sisterhood with one another.

Being in a sorority has offered me so many opportunities, not just for friendship and sisterhood, but for leadership and growth as well. Recently, I was elected the Vice President of New Member Education for my school's chapter of Delta Zeta, which means that I will be spending a lot of time with the new members that my sorority gains through Formal Recruitment. I honestly cannot wait to meet and get to know all of the potential new members that are going through Formal Recruitment and I'm excited for each and every one of them to find their on campus home with their sisters the way that I have. Going through Formal Recruitment was honestly one of the best decisions I have made during college and I'm so glad that I have two and a half more years to learn and grow in Delta Zeta.