Recruitment

Every single year, sororities are required to do a formal recruitment which is a process that brings new members into the organization. Recruitment is something that is critiqued the most by non-Greek individuals. It really isn't something we have a blast doing but is something that we have to do in order to gain new members. For example: you do not always enjoy certain drills at sport practices but they are done to make the team better as a whole. Recruitment is the one time of year when we are able to expand our organizations and make us the best we can be. It is a long, grueling two weeks but it is worth it in the end when you have amazing new members that will be the future leaders of your chapter.

Legally Blonde: The Movie

When I went through as a potential new member, it was miserable. I was a Long Island girl who was not used to the Floridan heat what-so-ever. I did my hair and make up every day to make the best impression on the chapters I would meet. Unfortunately, my hair would frizz, my make up would run and I would start to sweat from the heat. On the first day, I visited all 10 chapters at the time, and they would open their doors screaming chants and singing songs. I really felt overwhelmed and like I was in that movie legally blonde. It was definitely a lot to handle at once and a lot to take in. There were many moments that I wanted to drop out of recruitment because I was sick of the heat and sick of having so many random conversations with girls who I couldn't tell if they liked me or not. One day the weather was so bad that we were stuck inside a sorority house for almost an hour playing random games to pass the time. There were some chapters that I liked more than others but sometimes those chapters would not invite me back the next day. At the same time, there were chapters that I didn't want to go back to but had to visit the following day. My older sister kept trying to explain to me that I would go where I fit the best and that the system works. While going through recruitment, it didn't feel that way at all. I felt confused and let down most of the time. I was stuck between two different chapters and had a tough time choosing which one I wanted. I closed my eyes and tried to picture myself in both sororities and I decided on the one I am in now by how I felt. When I ran home to my chapter on the last day of recruitment, I knew my sister was right and that the system works. It is a hard feeling to describe but I felt so at home and that I found my school family I had been looking for. It sounds cheesy and I'm not a mushy stereotypical girl but I do not know where I would be without my sorority sisters. Even though I did not like anything about going through recruitment, I am so happy that I decided to stick it out and join a sorority.  

Why I chose this blog topic

There are so many stereotypes surrounding Greek life that were created through entertainment. Most people believe that what they see in the movies or television shows are actually what happen in real life. If that were true, then we could say that in real life, people have super powers and can save the world through being half spider. In my English class two years ago, I conducted a survey and wrote a research paper on the perception of Greek life from UCF students. The majority of my class said that they would not even speak to an individual if they were wearing Greek letters. This response surprised me because you wouldn't know if I am a sorority girl or not just by looking at me in everyday clothing. We have always been taught through life to not judge people on the color of their skin so let's not start judging people by the letters on their shirt. It frustrates me to know that someone will talk to me one day in a regular t-shirt but the second I put on my Greek letters, I am ignored. When I presented this topic to my English class, they debated over the topic my entire presentation and continued to talk about it after class had ended. I chose to write this blog to show that Greek life isn't what everyone thinks. It is hard to judge an entire organization on one individual you may dislike. Personally, I joined Greek life for networking, leadership opportunities, and philanthropy work. There is so much to be gained out of any organization on campus, you won't know until you try. It is like the saying "you can't judge a book by it's cover." My sorority sisters make me a better person and push me to do the best I can in school. My GPA is the highest it has ever been since I joined my sorority as well as the various leadership opportunities on my resume. After joining Greek life, I now recognize all the student leaders on campus from other Greek organizations as well as opened new doors for myself for my future career. Greek life is one of those things that you can't understand looking in and can't explain from looking out. It is an experience that is indescribable and one of the best decisions I have made coming to college. My sorority has shaped me into the best person I come become. Through being on my sorority's executive board, it has taught me how to professionally deal with poor situations and confront people in a manner that they would respect. Different groups are continually being judged, people should remember what it would feel like if they were to be that individual being judged.  People need to remember to never judge something before they fully learn about it and to keep an open mind to things that are foreign to them. The most treasured factor about Greek Life is the ability of the organization to go past the four years at UCF. Usually once a person graduates from an institution, they are no longer involved with any extra-circular activities completed while being a student. When joining a fraternity or sorority, that person is making a life commitment to these organizations. After graduating UCF, each Greek individual will still be considered a member of those fraternities and sororities. These people you meet while in Greek Life become more than just friends, they become brides maids, neighbors, and especially family. 

Welcoming new girls into our sorority - 2011

When I was welcomed into the sorority - 2010

Homecoming Skit Knight - 2010