Everyone has heard that “time flies when you’re having fun.”

Everyone knows that they should make the most of every moment.

And yet today I am looking at my calendar and realizing it is already November. It is hard to believe that my days as Beta Theta New Member Educator are officially numbered as initiation rapidly approaches. All I can wonder is where the time has gone; it certainly wasn’t all fun and yet I have no doubt I will miss this position greatly. Between recruitment, committee meetings, and endless spreadsheets, hours have been spent to welcome Clemson University Tri Delta Pledge Class of 2017 to the chapter. Over the past year I have hyper focused on how I can mentor these girls and teach them all I have learned in college. And yet, today, all I can wonder is how these girls managed to teach the teacher so many invaluable lessons. One simple blog post could not do them justice, but I will attempt to cover some highlights.

1. No matter how harmless you perceive yourself to be, someone out there may find you intimidating

2. College is hard and everyone thinks they are the only one struggling

3. Good food cures the soul

4. Love big, love often, love all

5. Studying is better with a buddy

6. If you want to quickly motivate girls, create a “pearl point” system

7. People will forgive you if you are slow to reply to texts

8. Saying hi to someone on the way to class really does make your day better

9. Being true to yourself gives others permission to do the same

10. Do small things with great love

11. People generally have good intentions

12. There are more animals in Manning than one would expect

13. You will never regret getting to know someone

14. I am yet to find a person who doesn’t appreciate a new friend

15. Respect people and they will respect you back

16. A simple text goes a long way

17. Its ok if you fail, as long as it’s not from lack of effort

18. When talking to a group, their faces will tell you 100% of the time if you’re making sense

19. Pomping is not a game

20. Never, ever, ever underestimate a group of girls.

Every step of this process, PC17 has blown my mind with their maturity, respect, humor and kindness. I would like to personally thank each and every one of them for being the highlight of my semester. This Sunday, 68 fabulous girls will be initiated into the Beta Theta chapter of Delta Delta Delta. Are they ready? Hands down yes. Go ahead and ask them our founders and values. But they are not “ready” due to anything I have told them – they are ready because of their outstanding character. I genuinely am so excited to see what the future holds for each and every one of them. They will change this organization and university for the better.

And so I thank you, for the laughter, memories and lessons as your mom.

Thank you for listening to me ramble and not being creeped out by my coffee date invites.

We have high expectations of you; Because you demonstrated you are capable of great things.

And remember, I may not be your New Member Educator but I didn’t fall off the face of the earth.

Yes, I still want to catch up on life.

Let’s get coffee.

You made me a better person.

Now go make me proud.

Delta Love,

Maddie