Striving to be beautiful, honorable, and highest. It’s a daunting task. Especially when you’re 18 or 19 years old and on your own for the first time. But it also beckons like a siren song in the sea on a lonely campus.

My freshman college experience was not fun. During my first semester I was in a very intense honors class, I missed my group of friends from home, and I had terrible eating and sleeping habits. My high school boyfriend also followed me to university and overtook any time that would otherwise be spent making new friends. I luckily had one of my best friends from childhood in the same dorm as me – and thank goodness for her. But come second semester, I found myself in a single room in the dorm next door to my friend and boyfriend. It felt oddly less isolating and more like I finally had space to breathe.

That second semester I started to befriend more classmates. Two of them, in very different classes, were both coincidentally in Kappa Delta. I remember the feelings of comradery (and the absence of awkwardness) with them from the start. It was refreshing to meet anyone with that level of openness, much less two incredibly smart, beautiful and friendly women I found things in common with.

It naturally led to conversations of what their experiences were, how did they find opportunities on campus, and how did they achieve all they had – and how could I achieve all of that? To which they said: KD.

They both encouraged me to sign up for formal recruitment in the fall. I remember texting them over the summer asking them to send me the form the minute it opened. I had to be one of the first people to apply. While I knew there was a pretty big chance I wouldn’t receive a bid from any chapter, I was so excited to meet more women on campus.

When recruitment came around, I recall my groupmates being a bit taken aback by my enthusiasm. While everyone had nerves, I had blind confidence that whatever was meant to be would happen. It’s very satisfying to be on the other side now and realize I was right.

The only place I had real connections with and a true desire to be at was Kappa Delta. My first twenty minute conversation was the most stimulating chat I had experienced since I had come to college. My partner was so smart and passionate. At the end of the day I remember looking at myself in the mirror and talking myself down from being too excited. My only nerves came from building up my own expectations. I knew as much as I wanted to be in Kappa Delta, they may not want me. So I had to keep my hope in check.

But I kept getting asked back.

I remember the last round of recruitment, preference round, was the one day I felt anxious. I was invited back to two preference rounds, meaning I could potentially get a bid from Kappa Delta or one other chapter. That whole night I felt like I was on the precipice. I was either going to wake up to a phone call saying I did not get a bid or I was going to open an envelope to a lifetime of sisterhood, and potentially not the sisterhood my heart desired.

If you couldn’t tell where this was going: I received a bid from Kappa Delta.

I was both shocked and elated. Nervous but excited. Coming into bid day and seeing the friends I had started to make from recruitment and the classmates-turned-sisters from freshman year felt full-circle. While it was a big day, it now seems quite small – overshadowed by all the core memories KD has brought me since then.

My best friends and confidants. A deeper sisterhood with my actual sister. Leadership. Integrity. Courage. Confidence.

In college KD was so fun, so exhausting, and so fulfilling. It made campus full. By my senior year I couldn’t walk four feet onto campus without passing someone I knew. I had soul-seeing friendships and the foundation to keeping building a greater and better version of myself.

Post graduation, it’s continued to bring me new friends, sisters, and opportunities. National convention, advising, and connecting with friends new and old. I know I’m a broken, cheesy record but I really can’t overemphasize how lifechanging Kappa Delta has been for me. I also know it’s not the universal or frankly realistic Greek life experience for some. But if I can reiterate one thing – it’s to take a chance on yourself. Have the confidence to stive for the most honorable, beautiful, and highest version of yourself. You deserve it!

I’m going to finish off this post with a bit of context: I’m advising for a local chapter. This week was bid day, first degree, and the new member retreat. Life is so sweet. Meeting new, awesome people is so rewarding. I love seeing other people shine and take a chance on themselves. It’s a great reminder that you are wanted, worthy, and doing your best – which is enough.

Love, Maggie