Happy recruitment season, ladies!

Here at Quinnipiac, recruitment season is underway! As the Theta Theta chapter of Alpha Delta Pi prepares for this exciting new time (I mean, bid day is like Christmas according to all the older members), I am refalling in love with my sorority each and everyday. I became a sister of Alpha Delta Pi about six months ago. Every single day, I am reminded that rushing and joining ADPi was the best decision of my life.

Are you thinking about going through recruitment at your school? If you have even the slightest interest in joining a sorority, I say to go for it! There are a bunch of reasons as to why you should going through recruitment, but here are my top ten!

1. You always always have someone to lean on, no matter the struggle.

Though the number varies from school to school, chapter to chapter, the fact stays the same: you will have a ton of sisters who you can always lean on. Whenever I am stressed, overwhelmed, sad, or just need a froyo date – I always have a sister I can go to . They’re willing to listen, to help, and do whatever they can to put a smile on your face. They are your support system, your rock. The bond that you share is so strong, that you will want to try and be there for every single sister.

Meet my sisters Crystal, Morgan, and Erin (the one we are picking up)! This was taken at our spring photo shoot of my freshman year.

2. You receive a big diamond sister/little diamond sister – the greatest bond you will ever have with someone. 

I have featured my big diamond sister, Katherine, on here multiple times. Since I have yet to receive my little diamond, I decided I would also feature her big diamond, Katie. The relationship between a big diamond sister and a little diamond sister is the greatest bond there is, in my opinion. I tell Katherine absolutely everything – she is always the first to know my secrets, she is the person I go to whenever I need any form of advice, and she is the person I know I can always go to. Whether it’s bonding during our typical Dunkin dates or constantly snapchatting, I am so grateful each and everyday for this incredible bond I have with someone thanks to being in a sorority.

Meet two of my favorite sisters – my big diamond sister, Katherine, and her big diamond sister, Katie. This is one of my all time favorite photos, taken at my first Black Diamond Ball – spring semester of my freshman year.

3. Whenever you just need a hug, someone is there. 

A day doesn’t go by that I am not hugging at least one sister – whether it be a hug just to say hi, a hug as a way of saying thank you, or just a hug to show how much I love them. As I said earlier, these girls are your rocks. In the photo below, I stepped out of my comfort zone and my incredible sister, Tammy, was hugging me to just show proud she was of me. You can see the emotion, the love, and the incredible bond between the two all through the photograph. There is nothing greater than a hug from your sister.

Meet Tammy! This was taken just earlier this week during spirit week (hence the interesting clothing choice and fake nerd glasses on my head – we were trying to channel Macklemore for a “Thrift Shop” look).

4. There are so many exciting events you get to do because of being in a sorority – like Formal or Spirit Week!

Sorority life fills your planner with a bunch of social events – and with them comes so much fun! Who doesn’t love getting dressed up?! whether it be in your nicest formal dress or craziest costume possible! Trust me, it’s even more fun with your sisters. Being in a sisterhood event makes one feel so comfortable, so you’re willing to get crazy and go all out for Spirit Week. For formal, it means looking your best because you have tons of helping hands to help with your hair and makeup. These events will become staples in your life and some of your favorite memories – memories that would not be possible if you aren’t in a sorority!

Meet my sisters Nicole, Alyssa, and Ali! We decided to get sleazy and had to look like Ke$ha for our Spirit Night last night! We pulled out all the stops – glittered face makeup, teased hair, and fishnets!

5. Sorority life is more than just about a social scene, it’s about being philanthropic.

One of the biggest aspects of being apart of a sorority is giving back to the community. Alpha Delta Pi’s philanthropy is Ronald McDonald House Charities. Besides just raising money, my sisters and I actually go to a local Ronald McDonald House. As a whole, your sorority will find otherwise to give back, besides just your philanthropy. Relay for Life is another event that means a lot to the Theta Theta chapter. Sorority life gives you so many opportunities to be selfish and give back to the community. You can help make a difference in this world. Best part of all, you have your sisters with you while you do it all!

Here are a bunch of my sisters and I at our school’s Relay for Life event last semester!

6. It means getting to throw what you know!

Each sorority has a different hand symbol that they make with their hands. When you do your sign, you’re throwing what you know! It’s so cool to have something like this, something that only you get to do that represents so many people and so many values. Just something so simple represents more than any stranger would realize. It’s more than just a hand sign – it’s a lifestyle.

Here my sisters Abby, Justine, and I are throwing up diamonds while our school was in the Frozen Four last semester.

7. It means endless dates with people that you will always love.

I don’t think it is possible for me to count the amount of sister dates I have gone on to Dunkin, for ice cream/froyo, and so much more. Dates with your sisters are just something small, but end up meaning so much. It’s during these dates when your bonds really form as you talk about your day, your secrets, and everything in between. They’re great opportunities to get to meet sisters, get to know others better, and to catch up with the ones you are super close to. In life, it’s more than just the big things – it’s the little things to. In sorority world, date nights with your sisters become one of those little things that mean so much.

Say hello to Katherine, Alyssa and Crystal again – and meet my violet sister, Steph! We love going to one of the local ice cream places to catch up over ice cream. Spring semester, when this photo was taken, was filled with many ice cream dates. Yum!

8. Your class will always be a consistency in your life.

When you join a sorority, the other girls joining at the same time with you will be your class. Those girls will be with you for every ride along the way – such as initiation and new member period. When you’re nervous for something new, odds are these girls will be too. It is so nice to have a bunch of girls who are also apart of your sorority who are in similar shoes as you. These girls are your instant best friends and you spend so much time with them. They’re a constant. They’re always your class. Accepting your bid and everything you do from there after will be with those fabulous girls in your class.

Here are some of the girls from my class – just being our fun selves! I can’t wait til we get the new class of girls who are just as fun!

9. Being in a sorority can benefit you after college.

Sororities are also great for connections. From your sisters, you are bound to meet others with your majors. Years down the road, when it comes to find a job or even getting an internship, a sister may be able to help you. Without being a sorority, you do not have this opportunity.  For example, of my sisters,  Nikki, and I are both very involved with our school’s student media organizations. Last March, we got to go into New York City together, representing our school, at the College Media Association’s spring conference. Together, we got to meet a bunch of people who will help us further our careers, like Willie Geist from NBC’s “The Today Show.” “Sparkle and Shine” has reaped benefits from me being in a sorority, such as being on Your Sorority Sister ‘Sorority Bloggers’ List.

Unfortunately, the photo is blurry. However, meet Nikki! Here we are with Willie Geist from NBC’s “Today Show.”

10. You get to become involved with something bigger than yourself. 

First you become a part of it, then it becomes a part of you. Being a member of a sorority means more than anything I can ever sit here and try and explain to you. It means happiness, confidence, sisterhood, friendship, and so many more adjectives. It mean’s always having someone by your side. It means being the best you possible. Remember, your sisterhood is forever.