By Hannah Robinson || Contributing Writer

I have to be honest, my experience in joining a sorority here at Franklin and Marshall is nothing like I expected. I have always been someone that loves the idea of being a part of something. I was never an athlete but I loved the cheering section of sporting events. I loved the rush of adrenaline I would get when I performed on stage in high school. 

Humans thrive when we are in a tribe. It makes us feel encouraged, as if we have people in our corner. Prior to coming to F&M, I attended a private, all-girls school in Massachusetts. The transition was a shock, to say the least, and I missed the sisterhood I had come to depend on as my support system. Because of this, it was no surprise that I decided to go through the formal recruitment process in my freshman year. That fall I had struggled to connect with people on the campus, only feeling close enough to open up to my roommate. And then I felt that I was limiting her growth because I was so afraid to step outside my comfort zone. I knew that I needed to branch out, but I was the kind of person that needed to be “pushed off the cliff”, metaphorically speaking. I needed to be thrown into the deep and see what happened–and that’s exactly what I did. 

Coming back to campus to go through a formal recruitment was simultaneously thrilling and terrifying. My palms were just as sweaty as the smile was big on my face. One of the best parts about my experience during the formal recruitment was meeting my MEW group leader, Sammy. She was so open, understanding and excited to go through this process with us! I felt so comfortable speaking with her about all of my experiences during this formal recruitment that I vented to her about even the smallest things, which, back then, seemed like life altering decisions. Because I was able to thoughtfully discuss my feelings about sisterhood with Sammy, I was really confident in my decisions throughout the entire process. 

When Bid Day arrived, I rushed through Mayser to all of my new sisters as I felt that adrenaline rush of being part of something bigger than myself. I loved the chants, the spirit and the shared energy. I found exactly what I was looking for! But what I ended up getting out of my sorority has been so much more. I have connected with older women who inspire me and guide me. I have met friends who I love deeply and met friends who I will always share a passing smile with. The real reward of a sorority, and the real reason anyone should join one, is the personal connections. It is beautiful if you imagine zooming out of each friendship, and seeing the beautiful web of friends that make up our sisterhood. We are all connected to each other in one way or another, or at least we are always bound by our love for our organization. Sororities are not just about the big crowds and the “tribe” mentality: they give you the opportunity to meet individuals you wouldn’t have met otherwise and create rewarding friendships. These small things are what have made my experience so incredible. 

Hannah Robinson is a Contributing Writer. Her email is hrobins1@fandm.edu

By TCR