The first fall semester of college is a whirlwind of emotions. The newfound independence of living alone for the first time can feel both intoxicating and terrifying. From navigating your course load and homesickness to meeting new friends, it is a chaotic season of life. At many universities, sorority recruitment is one of the first experiences a college first-year will have.
At Tulane, it is the inaugural event of the spring semester — and for that I am grateful. As a senior happily in a sorority, I am glad I had my first semester to find my footing before diving into Greek life.
Several logistical considerations make spring recruitment favorable. First, the New Orleans heat in August is awful. After investing time in hair and makeup for recruitment, the last thing one wants is to be stuck waiting outside the sorority houses as it all melts off.
Second, fall recruitment typically occurs the week before classes begin. Most first-years would rather enjoy their last week of freedom than spend it in heels and humidity.
Finally, since most Tulane juniors study abroad during the fall semester, sorority chapter sizes are significantly reduced in the fall. For recruitment to operate smoothly, chapters often depend on all of their members being present.
Looking back, I consider my first fall semester a gift. I had time to try new things, mess up and start over again. I changed my major, friends and interests over those first 16 weeks without pressure to know exactly what I wanted. Arriving at Tulane alone from the West Coast proved vastly different from anything I had imagined. As the only student from my high school, I was alone, yet I relished the opportunity to meet new people. That is not to say that it was easy, though; it was a lot of work but absolutely worth it.
Had I joined a sorority right away, I am confident I would have missed out on personal growth and great friendships. My first semester at Tulane pushed me beyond my comfort zone, strengthened my social skills and allowed me to befriend people who liked similar classes, clubs and hobbies. It diffused the exclusivity of Greek life on campus, ensuring Greek and non-Greek students mixed.
Some of my first friends were those made out of convenience — we were neighbors in Sharp Hall or frequented the Commons omelet line — but most grew from shared interests. I met my best friends at the Reily Center workout classes, on an Outdoor Adventures backpacking trip to the Ozarks and at Friday Shabbat dinners.
Had I immediately joined a sorority, I would not have forced myself to be as bold, or search for friends with similar values and interests. Rather, I would have shown up to chapter meetings and chosen from the people hand-selected to be in my member class. During my first fall, I started to establish who I was and who I wanted to be surrounded by. I went into sorority recruitment clear on what I was looking for in a sisterhood and campus community. If I hadn’t, I would have never met my best friends in other sororities or those who are not in Greek life at all.
Spring recruitment does not delay belonging; it strengthens it. The extra semester gives first-years space to breathe, fail and figure out who they are before adding the pressure of recruitment. Greek life will still be waiting in January, but by then, you will know yourself well enough to find the right house.