The girl flirting is over, which means you survived recruitment. You managed to get through first and second rounds without talking about the three B's (booze, boys and bank) or saying something like, “Which frat do you pair with a lot?” You have survived the seriousness of preference rounds without falling on your face because your heels were too tall. You got your bid and have celebrated that glorious day with all of your new sisters. But what now? You are officially a new member or baby, as some sororities like to call the members of their new pledge class.
Joining a sorority can be one the best decisions you make in college. You become part of something so much bigger than yourself and you gain a family away from home. But becoming an active member of your chapter is not as easy as it looks; it takes time, energy and lots of cash (mostly for apparel) to enjoy and survive the time before initiation. You try to be the best new member you can be, but probably have a few of these total new member moves in the process of it all.
New member meetings.
You have these once a week to learn all about your sorority and to get to know your pledge class. You learn catchy songs to remember the Greek alphabet and your founders’ names so you can pass your initiation test. You get a lot of information at once and slightly freak out because you don’t think you will have enough time for school and a sorority. Your new member ed, however, will be very helpful and will give you a map on how to survive.
Chapter.
Walking into your first chapter, you probably have no idea what is going on. Your whole pledge class -- excited and clueless -- just kind of looks around and takes it all in. Your biggest worry at this chapter is deciding when it is appropriate to Snap and when it is appropriate to clap. Snapping is probably the way to go.
Dues.
It is the only unfortunate part of joining a sorority and you definitely realize that when you get billed your first semester of being a new member. Beside the fact that you do not have enough money to pay dues, you also have no idea how to use Bill Highway and probably rack up a few extra dollars in late fees. Eventually, you get the hang of it and then it is just your bank account that takes a personal beating.
Apparel.
T-Shirts, spirit jerseys, fanny packs, etc. As a new member you buy every single piece of apparel you can because who doesn’t want to wear their letters every single day after you receive your bid? Then you check your bank account and have a slight heart attack, like you did when you paid your dues. At least you are a good looking poor college student.
Drinking with older member.
It is not allowed until after initiation; that is made very clear. You, however, were probably in the back of an older members Snapchat story drinking and they were the ones who got in trouble for it. Probably best if you wait until after initiation to drink with your big and friends in the pledge class above you.
Formal.
Either your dress is way too short or you don’t make it on the bus. You show up to sponto sober, or try to figure out how to sorority squat in front of your whole Greek family for pictures. Formals are the place for total new member moves; this is where they mostly occur. So do not drink too much, make sure your dress covers your butt and start doing squats when you go to the gym.
Sisters.
You realize that this is why you joined a sorority. To find a group of women who share the same values as you do and have your back no matter what. Even if you get lost in a fraternity, or try to throw up your sorority hand sign and screw it up nine out of your first 10 tries, they will still love you because you are a new member. Enjoy being the baby while you can and try not to have too many #totalnewmembermoves.
