For the girls on campus who went through spring recruitment and either withdrew or didn’t receive a bid, January can be a tough month. Everywhere you look there are big & little coffee dates, chuck decorating parties, fraternity mixers, letter jerseys, glitter, sparkly boas, and excessive chanting, screaming, and giggling. It seems like Greek life is everywhere around you and you may feel incredibly left out.
A lot of girls don’t get that involved on campus their first semester because they are adjusting to college work and a new life away from home. Or they assume they will join a sorority in the spring, which will provide them with new extracurricular activities, leadership opportunities, and friends. However, if they don’t go Greek in January, this leaves a lot of girls with empty Lilly planners and only homework to occupy their time.
Although I am in a sorority now (I joined later in my college career) I definitely felt the sting of rejection when formal recruitment didn’t work out for me my freshman year. Instead of letting the sadness get the best of me, I worked steadily to find everything that I wanted when I decided to rush in my life as an independent: friends, leadership, and fun. These things don’t just exist for Greek women; anyone can find these things in college if you know where to look. You can absolutely be involved on campus, have amazing friends, and have a great time at Wake if you’re not in a sorority.
The first step is to get involved! Audition for an acapella group, try out for a club sports team, join a Student Union committee, volunteer, or write for Her Campus (that’s what I did)! There are a million and one things to do at Wake if you just sign up. You are guaranteed to meet people who are interested in the same things you are and maybe even get a leadership position if you stick with it. Staying busy is a big part of staying happy. It is tempting to mope in your room with Netflix during your free time but it is so much more rewarding to fill that time with fulfilling activities.
*Image from Priotime.com
Next, reach out to your girlfriends. Even if some of your friends joined sororities, this does not mean your friendship is over. Plan dinner dates, movie nights, bake cookies in your dorm kitchen, paint your nails, whatever! These girls have been with you so far in college and that isn’t going to change. Even if going to a frat party with them is at first a constant reminder that you’re not in a sorority, it doesn’t have to be. Going out with your friends is fun whether you are Greek or not.
Finally, although this can be a stressful time in college, don’t let a bad recruitment experience make you feel bad about yourself. Not receiving a bid does not say anything about your personality, your character, how pretty you are, how smart you are, or anything like that. It’s important to focus on the positives and remind yourself of all the great things you have going for you and get ready for another amazing semester at Wake.
So keep your heads high, collegiettes, and take this time to focus on you!