Sorority Secrets: Bid Day

{The theme was Pi Phi Phest ~ hence the flower crowns}

Recently I had Bid Day for my sorority! For those of you who aren’t familiar with sorority lingo, Bid Day is the last day of sorority recruitment when girls who have been accepted into an organization get an official Bid to join a chapter.  It’s a mutual selection process that typically lasts a week, or 4 rounds. Through out this process potential new members meet with each sorority in rounds to talk to the sisters and learn more about the sororities.  Each night choices get narrowed down and you go to fewer sororities for longer periods of time (in order to allow for deeper conversations!) After a long recruitment process I am excited to welcome the new members home to Pi Beta Phi! We were very lucky and had a beautiful day in the park for this special day. My Bid Day was a bit different, the way the schedule fell it was at night and it happened to be in our sorority house, as opposed to outside.  It was a great night but I was happy to have this year’s celebration in an area with more space – especially since we have 54 new girls! I know based on Southern sorority standards this isn’t much, but for my school and chapter it’s huge! I was so excited on my Bid Day to get my top choice sorority and I remember being thrilled to see the familiar faces of the sisters I had spoken to during recruitment.  This year, being on the other side of recruitment, I was so happy to welcome the girls I spoke to throughout the week and on Preference Night with a hug and a halo! It is such an exciting time for everyone.  I know that joining Pi Phi is one of the best decisions I have ever made and I have a feeling our new girls will feel the same.  I am happy to be apart of such an amazing sisterhood and I am SO excited to have more girls in our incredible chapter! 

{Pi Beta Phi}

{Bid Day isn't complete without cute crafts}

{Me, Emily, and Bailey}

{YCP}

{Roomies take recruitment}

♥ Caro

First Day of School

I have always loved school, mostly for the social aspect, but I liked English and Science too. I love being able to spend time with friends and I have (almost) always loved my teachers.  I also love school supplies shopping *judge me* Thinking back to my childhood I have so many memories of “Meet the Teacher” nights at school and first days back.  The first day is always hard.  There is that nervous anticipation, millions of questions flooding your thoughts.  Who will be in my class?  What should I wear? Will the class be hard? Do people carry pencil cases? What about lunchboxes? What color binder do I get? Where do I sit at lunch? These questions are daunting, especially if you are starting out somewhere new. 

{Just don’t be like Elle and forget your laptop and homework!}

When I went to high school, I knew 4 people.  I went to an elementary school and middle school outside of my zoned district because they specialized in the arts.  Starting freshman year, my entire friend group was separated. I was terrified the night before the first day because I had no idea what to expect. Looking back, I am so glad that I pushed myself and went where I felt I needed to go – as opposed to where my friends were going.  I was able to make new friends and expand my interests. I got involved and, thanks to the terrifying freshman experience of meeting people, I now know how to make friends easily and can carry on small talk like it’s my job.

College was even harder.  Remember how I knew a few people in high school? Yeah, in college I literally didn’t know a soul.  Now, I admit, this was my own choice and I, again, decided to go where I needed to instead of taking the easy route.  My career path isn’t easy and my school is providing me with the information I need to succeed.  I could have gone to a state school in the South with my friends and had a fantastic time socially.  But I wouldn’t have gotten the same academic experience and I wouldn’t have the same friends I do now, or be in my sorority – both of which mean so much to me. 

{Freshman year to Senior year - my brother changed the most}

Starting sophomore year classes yesterday was a breeze – I have friends in my classes (and friends to walk with and eat with, which is always a plus!) I am not as intimidated by the work load because I have a better understanding of how to time manage and I feel more comfortable this school year.  Looking back, I understand why I was terrified of first days; they can be awkward and uncomfortable, but EVERYONE is going through the same thing.  No one knows where they are going, everyone wants to find friends in their classes, and everyone just wants to learn what they need to – hopefully having a fun along the way. 

In the end, whether it’s a first day of school or a first day on the job, don’t lose hope.  First days are always hard but I can tell you from experience (and I’m not the only one) that it gets so much better.  It’s better to push yourself and embrace the change.  The comfort will come, and before you know it you will be looking forward to your next first day!    

♥ Caro

Just A Little Update

{Guess who's back, back again...}

This week has been #crazy. First, and most importantly, I am back in NYC! Over the weekend I moved into my new dorm room.  I can’t even explain how great it is to be back and see all of my sweet friends.  Our classes don’t start until next week so we are taking this time to unpack, settle in, and catch up with each other. We flew up Friday and my mom and Aunt Karen were here to help me move in, they stayed until Tuesday.  We had the best time shopping, sight seeing, and (obviously) eating a lot of great food. 

{The Bluebell Cafe - great food and it's super cute}

{Central Park}

My dorm room is AMAZING. We have such a great common space and views of the Empire State Building.  I’m so excited that we are in such a great location and there are a lot of friends in the building, which will make for a very fun year. I still love blogging and it is something I am going to continue throughout the school year.  I have so many fun ideas for posts and I appreciate everyone who has been so supportive throughout this journey.  With over 1300 views now I am so excited to continue, I never thought people would read this and I hope to continue posting fun things to keep y’all interested ;) Stay tuned! And let me know if there is anything you would like to see on Handbags & Heartbeats this year. 

{Oh hey, Empire State Building, fancy seeing you from my room...}

♥ Caro

Move In Day

Today I am moving into my new dorm room! I am so excited to be back in New York City and can’t wait for sophomore year to begin! This year I am living in an apartment style dorm and I am happy to have a kitchen (though I’m not sure how much cooking I will be doing…) One year ago on this day I was full of anxiety and I was so nervous about college.  I didn’t know what to expect and it was scary to be so far away from home and out of my comfort zone.  In the end, I was able to survive homesickness, a bad roommate, a mouse-infested room, and several polar vortexes! After my first year I feel more than prepared to take on whatever is thrown my way, and this time around, I have an amazing group of friends behind me, and more friends to make when sorority recruitment begins! College is more fun when you have people to share it with. When I started at school last year, I did not know a single person; moving back into the dorm is a piece of cake when you have friends throughout the building - and in your room! Although it can be tough at times to be so far away from home, my family and friends are just a phone call away.  I can’t wait to see what excitement this year will bring (and I am on a higher floor so fingers crossed the mice won’t find me) I know that sophomore year will be fantastic – gone are the anxious nerves, one year later the only thing I am filled with is joy.

{My dad, mom, and brother helping with move in last year}

♥ Caro