Summer is officially here and while we all want to soak in every minute of it, fall is quickly approaching and along with cooler weather it brings a new semester and for many the much anticipated transition from high school to college. College can be intimidating and overwhelming; a new place, new people, new classes and new responsibility can be a lot to juggle when you may already be nervous about this new adventure in life. However, I have good news: college is not only exams and hours spent in the library. Your new campus has more to offer than you may realize and Greek life is a great place to start.

Whatever you may have been told about Greek life (We’ve all heard rumors, whether good or bad about so-and-so who joined XYZ) put that aside for a second and consider all of the positive things that Greek life has to offer you from someone who was skeptical at first, too.

1. Friendship

If you decide to participate in sorority recruitment, you will spend an entire weekend (or week – depending upon your campus) getting to know tons of incredible women. You will come out of this experience with tons of new friends, some who will be sisters, and on top of that you will have a whole group of women who will love and support you throughout your entire college career. There isn’t a better place to start.

2. Support

Not only will these women become your friends (and likely bridesmaids), but they will become mentors, leaders, study partners, smoothie dates, workout buddies, and your most trusted support group. It is so important to have people like this while you survive the journey of college because even though college isn’t all work, it will be stressful at times and you will need people to lean on when you have a rough week. Your sisters will do that for you!

3. Involvement

Regardless of what the movies have told you about Greek women, we are some of the most involved women on our campus. Getting involved in your chapter will open new doors for you to become involved in other clubs and organizations on your campus as well. The bottom line is, the more involved you become on your college campus, whether Greek life is your fit or not, the more enjoyable your time in college will be!

4. Accountability

This will come not only from your sisters, but from your organization itself. Each Greek organization has GPA requirements and community service requirements. Your organization will hold you accountable for maintaining your GPA, contributing to the betterment of your community, and overall personal development. We all come to college to earn our degree and hopefully become successful in our respective work forces and your organization will hold you accountable for making sure that happens.

5. Connections

Like I said, we’re all here to earn a degree and start a career. There have been many women before you, who have walked in your shoes, they are some of your biggest supporters and they are some of your strongest connections to the world you hope to join when you finish your collegiate years. They will have advice, internships, support, and love for you in abundance during your college years and beyond. They want nothing more than to see you and your organization thrive.

College can be scary and challenging at first, but getting involved on your new campus is a great place to start. There are tons of places you can get involved on college campuses, and even if Greek life isn’t for you, I encourage you to find the place where you feel at home and make the most out of your short time in college.

These are actually the best years of your life, don’t waste them.

I would love to see you at Auburn University at Montgomery Sorority Recruitment: August 26-August 28 (More information at @aumpanhellenic on Instagram.)