With the stress of recruitment in the past, it is time to kick back, relax and enjoy all of the amazing things that joining a sorority has to offer. The first few weeks of becoming a sorority member may seem a bit crazy. From the excitement of bid day to heavily acquainting yourself with the vibrant social scene, the first few weeks will be full of energy and seemingly endless amounts of fun! The fun doesn’t have to end there though. Here is my advice on how to make the most out of your first year in a sorority…

1. Try to meet as many women as possible!

On bid day, many of you probably looked around and were shocked by how few of your new sisters you actually knew. I was one of those girls too when I went through recruitment two years ago. I had two of my close friends by my side, but realized quickly that I barely knew any of my other new sisters. At first this may seem nerve wracking to you, but I can assure you that it is actually a blessing. When you don’t know many of your new sisters, it provides you with the best opportunity- to make a hundred or so new friends! Take this chance to meet as many new women as possible. Go out of your way to say hello to someone you see in the same letters as you. Put messages in your GroupMe asking if anyone wants to meet up and study in the lib or pregame for a social event. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there because there are plenty of other women in your sorority who are in the same position as you, and who just want to meet other people! I have met some of my best friends and future bridesmaids in my sorority, and I didn’t even know them until joining the Greek community!

2. Go to lots, if not all, social events!

Being social is a great part of joining a sorority. Social events are planned just for your sorority and are meant to allow you to not only meet fraternity members, but to get to bond and hang out with your sisters! Take advantage of as many social events as you can because they are a really great way for you to get to know your sisters better and to make a stronger bond as a pledge class. If you are worried about not getting to see your friends in other sororities, don’t be. You will still have plenty of time to see your friends after social events and on nights that you are free to travel to whichever parties you want! Sororities don’t change previous friendships; they simply make your friends list multiply!

3. Make community service fun.

All sororities up hold their women to a high standard when it comes to community service. As a sorority member you are expected to complete a certain number of community service hours in order to give back to the community! This is a great way for you to do good for the community and for others, but it is also a nice way to hang out with your sisters and do fun service projects in a big group! Go cook a meal at the Ronald McDonald house. The ride there and back provides lots of time for chatting and getting to know each other and cooking the meal is actually a ton of fun! Plus the people you are cooking for are so appreciative and it makes you feel so great about yourself! You can also work at the community garden or volunteer at any of the local charity events! There are so many wonderful opportunities in and around the Lewisburg community!

4. Get involved!

One of my favorite parts about joining a sorority is the leadership opportunities that it provides. Within each sorority there are lots of opportunities for you to gain leadership experience and help with the smooth operation of your organization. Sorority leadership is an amazing chance to become super involved in your sorority and is an opportunity that will definitely make your experience in a Greek organization even stronger! Leadership can also help to enhance your own personal growth and make you realize your greater potential! I know that before taking up a leadership position in the Greek community I hated public speaking, and now it is something that I am much more confident doing.

5. Make use of the sorority suite!

Even though we do not have houses, as a new sorority member you should 100% take advantage of using the sorority suites! The suite is not just for the girls that live there, it is a place for the entire sorority to go socialize, do homework, watch movies, play games and just hang out with one another! Do not be afraid to go sit on the suite and hang out at anytime because I can assure you that the suite girls will be so excited to have you there!

6. Wear your letters proudly!

Pretty much every sorority has a designated letter day where each sorority member is supposed to strut around campus showing off their awesome letters! You should definitely participate in this letter day phenomenon because who doesn’t love a day when you can just pull on letters and some shorts and be comfy all day! Plus, as a new member you should want to wear your new letters to show your pride and support for your new sisterhood!

7. Themes are a must.

Social events are fun, but they are even MORE fun when you get super into the themes. From risky business to ABC, themes are put in place specifically to make your sorority even more bonded! You can have a giant “getting ready to go out” party together on the suite and help each other to do eye black or braid hair or even cut garbage bags into dresses. The theme possibilities are pretty endless. Don’t worry about looking silly because you and your sisters are all in this together! That is what makes it so fun!

8. Take lots of pictures!

The memories you make as a first-year sorority member will definitely last you a lifetime. But as you grow up you will still want pictures to commemorate all of the fun you had during your new member days! So whip out that iPhone or Android or camera and click away. You will be glad you did so when you are a senior and scrolling through all of your iPhoto pictures of your first new member social event, reminiscing on all of the good times!

9. Let loose and have fun!

As a new member your biggest prerogative should be to have fun! Your new sisters are so excited to have you join their sorority and your fellow new members are all so excited o get to meet so many great new girls! Take advantage of each social gathering, each suite movie night, each new member get together, each philanthropy event and each leadership opportunity! Make the most out of everything that sorority life has to offer and remember that you only get to be a first-year member once!