On Friday evening, an annual tradition will begin again on campus: formal sorority recruitment.

As the singing of sorority members echoes around campus, packs of young women sporting matching t-shirts and tote bags will follow the lead of tour guides into different houses in hopes of finding their home away from home.

You may think that sorority life just isn’t for you. You’ve seen all the movies, heard all the stereotypes and ultimately decided to stay away. Sorority life is not for everyone, that’s true.

However, the age-old saying, “you never know until you try” is especially true for women who might be on the fence about going through recruitment.

The process can be both fun and rewarding, even if it doesn’t end in joining a sorority. For instance, you meet current members during the recruiting rounds who might have a lot in common with you and could offer you a new perspective on college life.

Talking to all these new people is also a great way to step out of your comfort zone and even practice interview skills that will be priceless in the future.

If nothing else, recruitment is a great way to get to know this vast and largely unfamiliar campus, as women must navigate their way to sorority houses that are scattered all around the Champaign-Urbana area.

It’s also important to note that you do not have to be a legacy or know anyone previously in a sorority to join. With 23 different chapters on campus, you’re bound to connect with people somewhere.

The same goes for joining an RSO or a club sport. And if you are looking for an especially rewarding experience, why not check out The Daily Illini, or “Delta Iota,” as some of us like to call it. Our info nights are in Gregory Hall Room 112 this Tuesday and Wednesday night at 7 p.m.