Joining a sorority is a huge step for college students keen on learning about Greek life. A sorority is a society or group of girls studying at an educational institute. Being part of a sorority means being part of a sisterhood.
Before your first year begins, here is some useful advice on what steps you should take to create an unforgettable experience.
Form Friendships with Your New Member Sisters
When you begin your first year in a sorority, don’t waste time putting yourself out there and getting to know your new member sisters. You must remember that everyone is in the same boat, even if it feels like they’re not. You’re all learning how to navigate relationships and friendships. You may feel like everyone is becoming friends at an alarming rate. But, there’s room for friendship if you take the step to open up and have conversations.
No one is saying you’ve got to be an extroverted person either. The great thing about a sorority is every member has a different personality. Some members will be shy, whereas others will be more approachable. It will take time to settle in and get your bearings, so don’t feel like you’ve failed if you’re not best buddies right away.
Appreciate Philanthropy
One of the wonderful things about joining a sorority is the chance to make a difference in your local community. Whether you set up a charity race or host a softball tournament, there are lots of ways you can make a positive impact on this planet. Make sure to sign up for as many sorority philanthropy events as you can. These will be great opportunities to meet new people, and you’ll gain a great sense of accomplishment.
If you’re struggling with sorority fundraising ideas, Givebutter may be able to help. They have a guide on the best sorority fundraising ideas that can see you raise some serious cash. Whether it’s a bake sale, running an arts festival, or hosting a dance marathon, the choice is endless! Whatever you decide on, make sure you’re committed to the event.
Be Active Outside of Your Sorority
While a large bulk of your time will be spent with your new member sisters, that’s not to say there isn’t a whole wide world out there! If you’d like to further impact your campus community, it’s time to branch out and meet people outside of your sorority. There are lots of avenues to go down too. This includes joining an academic organization or becoming a member of a church group.
Make sure you pick a group that aligns with your interests outside the sorority. You may even find some of your sorority sisters are members of the same organization too. You don’t want to look back at your time at college and wish you’d done more. You’re a young adult and have the power to make a positive difference, both within your sorority and outside. Also, not every organization will require the same time commitments. A large chunk of your time will be spent studying and doing activities as part of your sorority. But, there are groups that only hold meetings once or twice a month.
Understand What You Want to Get Out of The Experience
The best thing you can do throughout your freshman year is to have a good think about what you want to get out of your time in a sorority. When you reach the end of your 4-year sorority tenure, you want to know you’ve done all you can to make a difference. Your legal is important as it links with sorority life. You can leave a big impression during your sorority years, especially in the community.
To make things easier, it’s wise to draw up a bucket list. Write down 5 to 10 goals you’d like to accomplish throughout your time in your sorority. Make sure you create realistic goals that you can stick to. Don’t put too much on your bucket list, as you may feel like a failure if you haven’t crossed many off at the end.
Attend Every Event You Can
In general, freshman year tends to be the easiest one. For many, the first year is the beginning of a whole mountain of workload. Because you won’t be buried under a huge pile of assignments, why not make use of your free time to attend every event you possibly can? You have the luxury of doing so without worrying too much about assignments.
When joining a sorority, you must keep your GPA up. To help navigate you through assignments, you can learn time management skills. This will help you prioritize your time better and ensure everything is completed on time. Make a goal to try and attend at least one nonmandatory event each week. You’ll not only have fun but build on your confidence too.
The experience you have in a sorority is down to you. From getting to know your sisters to attending events, joining a sorority enables you to learn new skills, volunteer in your local community, and create lifelong friendships.