When I first decided to come to Oklahoma City University, I did a lot of research on activities I could possibly get involved with.
That research was tough for a while as I suffer from social anxiety, so it was very difficult for me to see myself truly getting involved with a lot of things on campus because I was so fearful of social interaction.
Still, I decided to keep going with my search.
I eventually had a couple of friends that were a few years older than me and also students here reach out to me about Greek Life.
The concept of Greek Life was not new to me. At that time, I had heard of many other girls planning on rushing, and it just wasn’t something I was into at first.
However, my friends had finally worn me down and I decided to give it a shot. After all, if I really hated the process I could drop out whenever I wanted.
The first night of recruitment came and it was the scariest night of my life.
I got shuffled around all four of the sororities that are present on campus, talked to so many people, and ended up being completely drained before I even had a chance to think about what house I truly connected with.
I had almost dropped out of the process that night, as I really didn’t feel connected to any house and the thought of going through two more nights of conversations and activities just did not sound appealing.
After hearing this, my Rho Gamma decided to convince me to stay at least one more night.
I did with the understanding that the next night was the Philanthropy round, and there was one sorority, in particular, whose primary philanthropy really connected with me.
That house ended up being the only house I went back to that night. While I was a bit upset that I didn’t get called back anywhere else at first, I came out of that house and was hooked.
I decided to finish the recruitment process, and on Bid Day I ran home to Phi Mu.
I can honestly say that that was the best decision of my life. Everyone was just so warm and welcoming to me, and no one cared that I was just a bit shy.
Throughout the day I had people come up and talk to me that I never would’ve talked to otherwise, and they even gave me space when I needed it to help me feel more comfortable throughout the day.
I continued to become more and more involved with my sorority and constantly tried to make connections with someone new at each event I attended.
I became more confident in myself, and while I still suffer from a lot of social anxiety, I have developed tools that help me cope and continue to involve myself in new things.
Fast forward to now, I have accomplished things that I would have never would have dreamed of accomplishing, and I love it!
First off, I became a big, aka older sister, to the greatest little blessing I could ever ask for! My little is much more extroverted than I am, but despite this difference, I believe we are still a perfect pair.
She inspires me to keep reaching out and being the leader I know I can be and she allows me to guide her through new experiences, both in our sorority and within our major!
I am also now the Philanthropy Chair of Phi Mu and have the incredible opportunity to lead my sisters in both philanthropic and service-based activities, and my heart could not be fuller!
Before Phi Mu, I never would have imagined being this involved in anything, but I have gained some of the most incredible sisters who encourage me to do my best, and I know I can rely on them all whenever I need them!
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