Welcome to our blog! We are the Epsilon Eta chapter of Alpha Delta Pi at Mississippi State. Our chapter is made up of a diverse group of women with a wide scope of passions we want to share with you. Ranging from advice to tutorials to sentimental messages, this is the spot!
Be the first.
Welcome to MSU! Get ready to ring your cowbells, because I am excited to welcome you into the Bulldog family. College is where you will meet your best friends, find your passions, and learn more about yourself. As a senior, I’ve done all three! I would like to share a few tips I have learned along the way.
1.Put yourself out there.
When I was in your shoes four years ago, I was the shy girl. I looked forward to being in a large class where I could blend in with every other student. When I decided to go through sorority recruitment, it was a surprise to everyone. Through the recruitment process, I was able to share my passions and find the sorority that encouraged me to get involved on campus. I went from being the shy freshman to an involved senior with a large group of encouragers in various organizations who support me in every way. It all started with one brave decision to run home to Alpha Delta Pi. The odds are in your favor- push yourself out of your comfort zone, meet friends, and grow your resume!
2.Love your major.
As a chemistry major, this is sometimes easier said than done! Nothing is worse than having to make it to an 8 AM calculus class when all you would rather be doing is writing a paper on Shakespeare. It is okay to change your major (not many people get it right the first time!), but find what you love. This will make life a little easier during the late-night study sessions, office hours, and when you are a senior on the job hunt.
3.Enjoy every minute.
Last but not least, enjoy college! Before you know it, you will be a senior wishing you could go back to the days of dorms and eating at The Perry. Go to the football games at Davis Wade, savor the late-night snack runs and carpool karaoke sessions, and have movie marathons with your friends (the cheesier the movie, the better!). Sometimes the “unplanned hangouts” are what you remember the most.
I know the class of 2026 is going to do great things at Mississippi State University. As a senior, I can truly say my best advice is to be brave and try new things, find what makes you happy, and make memories in college. Make the most of your last few weeks of high school and enjoy the next season of your life.
Lauren Adams
It goes without saying (but I’ll say it anyway!) that the college hunt is daunting. Cramming for the ACT, attending information sessions, going on tours with current students of the university where you’re so unfamiliar with the school that you don’t even know what to say when they ask if you have any questions - the whole ordeal. It’s all the more intimidating and foreign when you’re stepping onto campus as an out-of-state student.
Hey there! My name is Emma Nisbet - member of Delta Class 10 - and I’m from Columbia, Tennessee. If you have absolutely no idea where that is, just think relatively an hour south of Nashville and - boom - it’s right there. Columbia is definitely on the smaller side. Actually, I’d say it’s just about the same size as Starkville (so, on that front, not much of an adjustment for me!).
Long story short, I came to Mississippi State University alone. I knew no one when I first arrived here. In fact, I had never even heard of the school until my mom mentioned it to me early on in my senior year of high school. Though, the second I set foot on campus for the first time, my mind was set. My dad always told me to ask yourself if you could envision actually living at this school for four whole years of your life; Mississippi State University was the only school I looked at where I could confidently say yes to that question.
I took on every opportunity to better my chances at finding my place at a whole new school - in a whole new state, no less. Before my first tour at MSU, I’d visited Mississippi one time on a family vacation to the coast. Funny story, the first time it truly sunk in that I was now living in a new state was at the first football game of the season and the players ran out on the field with the magnolia emblazoned Mississippi flag trailing behind them - not the tri-star Tennessee flag that I had known for as long as I can remember.
I signed up for New Maroon Camp and, obviously, I went through Fall Recruitment. I wanted to ensure that every door was open to me for finding new friends.
It was practically a given that I would try out for a sorority. My dad was in Phi Delta Theta at the University of Southern California, back in the ‘80s; my older sister was in Kappa Alpha Theta at Auburn University. Greek Life has been running in my family for quite a while now.
I’m going to be extremely blunt here: I’m a complete introvert. I find my energy by spending time alone, rather than surrounding myself with others. I can socialize and have fun and then I have to head off to recharge by myself. Maybe I’ll read a book or watch a movie or something like that.
Rinse. Repeat.
They say you find your closest friends - literally your sisters - in your sorority. After about a month in Alpha Delta Pi, I could absolutely agree.
The conversations with the girls I spoke with at every party during Recruitment felt closer to a casual chat between good friends rather than a rapid-fire interview. There was an immediate click; I knew that this was where I was meant to be.
I found my home in Alpha Delta Pi. They chose me just as much as I chose them.
Though, other than joining a sorority, what are some other ways to make friends on campus - especially as an out-of-state student? Here are just two simple suggestions, from me to you!
1.Get Involved.
If I could shout this one from the rooftops, I would. This is the absolute best way to find a place on campus. I’m a Communications major (with a concentration in Print and Digital Journalism) and one week into the semester, I applied to work for the student newspaper and I’ve been working for them ever since. I also love creative writing (minoring in it too!) and I’m now on the Editorial Board for the student-run creative arts journal. I met some truly amazing people through New Maroon Camp who I’m still close to even now. I don’t just have friends in ADPi; I’ve met people all over! I’ll say it again and again if I have to: get involved, get involved, get involved. Take a moment and think about what you enjoy; I’m sure there’s a club for that somewhere. Go out there and find it.
2.Put Yourself Out There.
I know, I know. How dare the introvert say anything about standing out in a crowd. Well, that’s not what I’m saying. I am saying that you need to step out of your comfort zone. Your comfort zone is safe; your comfort zone is, well, comfortable. You won’t learn anything new - or meet anyone - by staying in your own little bubble of the world. Believe me. Trust me, it is way easier to sit in your room on a Wednesday night but…what about that new book club starting up? There’s always something happening on campus. Seriously, I could throw a rock in the Union and be almost guaranteed to hit one of the student organizations that are tabling that afternoon (please don’t throw anything in the Union). Go up and introduce yourself! Like I said: I’m a quiet girl from a small town. I had built up that sort of persona of myself throughout school. I saw college as an opportunity for a completely fresh start like never before. I jumped on that opportunity. I’ve seriously grown more as a person in the past semester than I have in my whole life and that is in no way an exaggeration.
With all that being said, don’t pressure yourself. College is stressful enough as it is. Running yourself ragged isn’t going to help anyone - least of all you. I learned that the hard way with my harsh experiences with that good ol’ friend, FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). You can put in the effort to get out in the world but some of it will happen naturally. College only happens once -savor it!
Thank you for reading and have a wonderful day!
Over winter break, I spent my time study and prepping for the LSAT and eventually taking it. For those who don’t know, the LSAT stands for Law School Admission Test, and it is one of the most important factors determining acceptance into law school. Scores range from 120 to 180 and the higher the score, the more likely you will be accepted into prestigious law schools and the more scholarships you will receive. In short, this is one of the most important tests I will take in my life as it can decide much of my future.
I spent hours at my local library studying, taking practice tests, and finding the best study techniques. (So much in fact, that phone would automatically GPS me to the library whenever I got in my car!) I knew that it was going to take lots of work, and it was some of my sisters’ encouragement that helped led me to take the LSAT confidently. The week before I took the LSAT, my sisters were sending me encouraging messages and thoughtful prayers. It was so nice to have a support system cheering me on miles away across the country.
As I was studying, I found some study tips that benefitted me, and I would like to share them with you!!
•Instrumental Music! I have always found that having a soft background music helps me stay focus and drown out any background noise. My favorite has been instrumental worship music because it helps me feel encouraged. The playlist that I listen to will be linked down below!
•Changing your study environment! I believe that changing the location of where you study is so important. It has always been a useful way to study all my life. When I was at home, I would split my studying between different rooms in the library and a few local coffee shops. When I’m at school, I like to study in my room, the ADPi dinning room, the library, and McCool Hall. Changing where I study helps me not to become too comfortable to one environment which better helps you on test day.
•Prep Books and Courses! Since this was my first time taking the LSAT, I decide to self-study by following a prep book and online resources. I highly recommend getting a prep book if you are studying for the LSAT because it teaches you techniques and skills to help maximize your score. Personally, I used the Kaplan prep book and flashcards and found them really helpful.
•Simulating Test Day! This is the most important study tip that I can give anyone is to make your studying resemble test day as best as you can. I did this by taking multiple full length practice test in a quiet room under timed conditions. This helps you by becoming accustomed to the format of the tests, so you will not be shocked on test day. Practice tests can also give you a good idea on what you may score come test day.
• Confidence! Lastly but certainly not least, is having confidence not only in your test taking abilities but also in who you are as a person. All my preparation made me confident that I can actually take my test, but it was my sisters and family who made me confident in myself. Having a support system is so important to have because you will have people surrounding you who will encourage you come test day.
Overall, studying and preparing for the LSAT took months of preparation just for a three hour test, but it was the support that I found in ADPi to help me believe in myself and helped me realize that I can succeed in anything.
Let me just say, these are the best, most comfortable pj shorts I’ve ever owned. I bought one pair a few weeks ago and have bought THREE pairs since and am still asking for more for Christmas! They have so many fun patterns and colors and look so cute and elevate your pj look! You will not regret putting these shorts on your Christmas list!
Lash serums are an item you can never go wrong with! When used consistently, your natural lashes will look like extensions!
This brand is so cute and versatile, allowing you to choose from endless colors, types of bags, and iron on letters or decals! These are so special because you can customize them to be your own unique style!
Let’s face it, whether you like it or not, Ugg’s are back in style, and they are super cute! They have hundreds of new styles of boots and slippers, but I’m linking down the ones I think will be the most stylish and will be asking for this Christmas!
My favorite fragrances EVER. So unique; everytime I wear Lollia, people comment on it! It can be found on Amazon, but other than that, it’s mainly found in boutiques. There are so much different scents and options and all smell to die for!
You can NEVER go wrong with Barefoot dreams. My recent favs have been their robes and throw blankets, but their socks and cardigans are amazing as well!
This sleeping mask is life changing. My lips feel as soft as can be every morning when I use this product and I’m always needing more because of how often I use it!
The cutest and trendiest bags with so much fun colors and patterns that can hold so much! The weekender bags are great for short vacations and the tote is great for everyday life. If this isn’t on your Christmas list, it needs to be!
This jewelry is the best and you can collect endless amounts and create stacks with all different styles and colors! I would absolutely put a few starter pieces on your Christmas list! They have necklaces, bracelets, earrings, even hairties! A jewelry lover’s Heaven!
Simply because a girl can never have too much lulu. Enough said!
Let me start with, Recruitment is different for everyone. For some it is perfect, others it’s more inundating than they could’ve imagined, others it feels like this week can't be over soon enough, and for some it’s whatever happens, happens. It's important to note these feelings are temporary and that the girl recruiting you has been there before.
To briefly cover my recruitment story, I came from 8 hours away, knew nobody, and knew nothing about Greek life. I thought sororities were partying and being pretty and had no idea the obligations and responsibilities that would follow recruitment. During the process, it was hard for me to be vulnerable because I felt like I wasn’t the mold of every other girl in line. It was easy for me to look at myself and say I wasn’t tan enough, I wasn’t smart enough, I wasn’t as pretty as her - it was so easy to beat myself up for not being prepared. However, bid day rolled around and I opened a bid to Alpha Delta Pi and I was ecstatic. Meeting these girls and meeting others in Panhellenic has impacted me more than I can articulate. Truly, the weird week of emotions became a blur the moment I got to meeting everyone.
Sophomore year I decided to go for Gamma Chi, recruitment counselor because I had wanted to be one since freshman year. I was beyond excited to help girls go through the process. Having known what it was like to have an odd recruitment I wanted to give my girls the best experience and help them put their best foot forward. So, here is some of my advice for girls going through Recruitment in the future,
Go in blind. Yep, blind. It is so much easier to get to know someone when you're not busy thinking about a stupid stereotype a girl told you in line. Every house is unique and it's your responsibility to get to know them, not the girls around you.
Be selfish. This is your experience. This will be your sisterhood. If you like that house and your friend doesn’t - so what! In the long run, going where you feel the best is what’s going to give you the best experience. You are meant to grow in college, and I assure you, you can be friends with girls in different houses but you can’t change the house you run to after signing the MRABA.
When you leave that house, write down how you felt. Take note of how you felt, what y’all talked about, what you experienced. These conversations can become blurs and being able to recap before selections help a ton in reminding you which houses you felt most comfortable in.
VALUES VALUES VALUES. Before going through recruitment, ask yourself what you really want to gain from a sisterhood. Is it being pushed academically? Do you need sisters that bring you out of your shell? Do you want more service hours? Keep these values in mind when you walk in and out of houses and try to see how these houses align with your goals. With this being said, you may be called back into houses that you think don't have these values & I want you to ask yourself, what if I am being called here for a reason?
Go in and be present. Leave all those stressors and anxieties at the door. Be yourself and have good conversations! Don’t think about what those girls are talking about over there or think about the stereotypes, give every single house your undivided attention and gratitude! :) Yes, gratitude! You are a guest in their home, so always be polite and kind.
Lastly, releasing or being “dropped.” Go Greek round is always the best because everyone has a full schedule. Philanthropy is when the difficult feelings arise, and I am here to say being released from a house is not the worst thing ever. When your options dwindle down, continue to take the time to get to know these women and be intentional and leave the stress at the door. It’s easy to see being released as the end of the world but I promise it's just a week and you’re getting closer to joining an amazing sisterhood.
With all of this being said, please don’t doubt your self-worth during this week. I know it can be a hard week, but you will be okay and you will end up where you need to be. As always, if you have any questions or concerns about recruitment, dm me @kkat.watkins! Thank you to all my Gamma Chi’s, y’all have taught me more than you know. It truly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I will never forget such a rewarding week with y’all.
With #panlove,
Kat <3
Hey y’all! My name is Mary Gray and I am a junior from Mandeville, Louisiana majoring in Business Administration. I am apart of the American Marketing Association and a marketing intern for the Athletic Department. A fun fact about me is that I own my own photography business. I have always loved taking photos, but I was never able to build up the courage to put myself out there. I started my business second semester of freshman year. Never doing something like this before, I was very nervous how this would all pan out. I was worried that I would get distracted from my school work and not be able to balance everything that I was doing.
When my first few clients booked with me, I started to plan out my days very strategically. I would prioritize school in the morning, saving the afternoon for shoots or editing galleries. This worked very well for a while, until my business started to grow- as well as my involvement with Alpha Delta Pi.
In November I was elected as our Videographer Specialist to make short videos for our social media while attending most social events to get content. I was balancing everything out pretty well, until graduation rolled around. Graduation means senior pictures and senior pictures meant it was time to really figure out how I was going to balance everything that I was doing. Graduation is the biggest time of year for any photographer, and as a student myself, I was still in classes, organizations, and trying to get my business’s name out there in this competitive industry.
One of my first graduation clients was my sister Keilah Shannon. She was nothing short of sweet to me while I was trying to get into the swing of this whole business thing. Once I sent out Keilah’s gallery, my whole business grew pretty quickly. My page was getting reshared by my sisters and soon enough, I was fully booked every weekend in the spring.
I was starting to get worried that my time would be taken away from Alpha Delta Pi. I began planning out my days by the hour, making sure that I was able to have time to do everything that I wanted to do. My business started intertwining with Alpha Delta Pi and I started taking lots of pictures for our chapter. Eventually my job stopped being full of work and it started to be a lot of fun. My sisters were giving me a lot of encouragement during that time and never made me feel stressed. The Alpha Delta Pi house has been my favorite place to edit all of my galleries because of the positive feedback I receive from everyone. I have never felt discouraged with what I do, nor have I ever hindered my grades or social interaction as an entrepreneur.
The biggest piece of advice I could give to a college student wanting to start their own business is to love what you do, and do what you love.
Hey hey! My name is Keilah Shannon and I am a senior psychology major at Mississippi State and a member of Alpha Delta Pi! I was born and raised in Charlotte, NC and when I came to MSU, I had no idea what to expect – I had always been a social butterfly and never had any problems making friends, but I never really had to work hard for friends either. Most of my friends back home have been my friends since preschool, which is something I never even considered before I moved 550 miles from my hometown and from everything that is comfortable. I was IN LOVE with Mississippi State, and I knew I didn’t want to go to college anywhere else, but I really struggled socially during my first semester on campus. I made friends, got involved, and did well in my classes, but I was constantly homesick, and I had a longing for more – I needed a home away from home to be complete. Throughout my first semester, I toyed with the idea of moving back home (or at least to somewhere closer) and back into my comfort zone and my parents told me absolutely not – I had to go back in the spring and give it my all, and if I still wasn’t happy, I could transfer. I didn’t know this at the time, but my parents were a blessing in disguise. As I thought about how to find my fit at MSU in the spring, recruitment ran across my mind again. I didn’t do recruitment in the fall because it was WAY out of my scope of knowledge, and I didn’t like the idea of being unfamiliar to an entire process – no one in my family was a part of Greek life so I had nothing to work with. I heard about spring recruitment from one of my friends, and she really thought it was a great idea for me! I wasn’t sure, so I brought it up to my parents and they were ALL IN, I have never seen them so excited for something, so I went through with it!
Now that we’ve made it through the backstory, let me be frank in saying: going through recruitment is one of the best decisions I have ever made. I was missing a piece of me when I started this process that has been totally filled by the women of Alpha Delta Pi and all of the opportunities I have had since my Bid Day just a few short semesters ago. Looking back on my recruitment, I seriously had NO clue what I was doing but not a single girl in a single house made me feel like I was out of place. During my recruitment, we had a huge snowstorm that pushed the week-long process to just one night – we would visit all of the houses, make our choices, and come back the next day for bid day…… the pressure was insane!!! From the second I walked into Alpha Delta Pi, I knew where I was meant to be (fate is real!!). I had the most down to earth conversations about school, car problems, and what I was looking for in a sisterhood with some of the most welcoming women I had ever met. From the first conversation, I was sold – these girls wanted to know me, support me, and share the bond of sisterhood with me and I had never felt such a genuine connection. Spring recruitment was so laid back, that I didn’t feel any pressure at all and truly enjoyed the process which is just what I needed to find my home. When I opened my Bid card the next day, I almost cried – Alpha Delta Pi wanted me as bad as I wanted to be there and everything in the world was right because of that. Bid day consisted of meeting new sisters, asking questions about what to expect, and celebrating my newfound sisterhood – one of my favorite days to look back on because I had no idea how many good things were to come at the time.
From my very first day, I felt at home. I was hesitant to come around to the house at first, I was so irrationally worried that everyone had already formed friend groups, and no one would even acknowledge me, but I was horribly mistaken. My first meal at the house didn’t even get all the way eaten because I was too busy talking to the group of girls that had sat with me and wanted to get to know me and make me feel welcome. I remember calling my mom after I left that lunch and crying because I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be, and I finally felt at home. I wanted to get involved, and I was upfront about this – holding an officer position was my top goal and I was eager to make an impact. A senior at the time and I had gotten pretty close, and one day she told me about Freshman Year Navigator applications – she thought I would be a perfect fit mentoring first-time freshmen and helping them adjust to college. I wasn’t so sure, but I applied anyway, and I got the job!!! Looking back, I owe her everything, as I’m now looking to get my Masters in Higher Education and work in Student Affairs at a University. I got that chance at leadership within Alpha Delta Pi my sophomore year when I was appointed Director of Continuous Recruitment – helping to bring girls home that were maybe just a little hesitant about formal recruitment (making them just. like. me.). This position helped me to see how passionate I was about recruitment as a whole and gave me the thrill of bringing girls home! The next fall, I served as the Director of Academic Affairs – my DREAM job!!! I had so much fun helping my sisters succeed academically and had the amazing opportunity to restructure and improve our scholarship program. These positions each showed me different strengths within myself and gave me the chance to lead within ADPi and to make a lasting impact for Alpha classes to come – one of my greatest honors and most beneficial experiences to date. I was never made to feel like an outsider, and most of my Alpha class often forgets that I didn’t celebrate bid day alongside them because of how well we mesh and how much fun we have. Through Alpha Delta Pi, I have accomplished my goals, made lifelong friends, and filled my heart. This chapter has given me more than I could have ever dreamed and has been steadfast in friendship and supported me no matter what since day one – every day isn’t storybook perfect, but ADPi is my safe haven when things don’t go my way and I am accepted and loved no matter the situation.
If you’re thinking about spring recruitment – give it a chance! I know how nerve wracking it can be, but I also know how worthwhile it can be. Push yourself outside of your comfort zone and give it a shot, you might just love it!
-Channing Perrett
This sweatshirt is a part of the “sorority collection”. You can gift one of these to another sister on the row. Pan- love!!
star sweatshirt link
An ornament can hold so many memories. By gifting one of your sisters these, they’ll forever think of you when they see it.
glitter ornament link
I adore a comfy set of pajamas. Plus, there are so many different styles and places to get them. A cute set like this is an easy gift!
cheetah pj set
white pj set 
This is perfect if you need a quick gift! Your mom will love a picture of you or your entire family.
Kendra Scott frame
These are the comfiest house shoes ever! You just cannot go wrong with these (unless you get the wrong size
hehe so check!)
One way to upgrade your Dad’s nightstand is by getting him one of these. I love the personalization and your Dad will too. No one can take it from him then!
Docking Station
My Dad travels a ton, and it has made me realize how much he needed a toiletry bag. Having one of these helps him keep all of his things together.
Men’s travel bag
If your Dad and family love tailgating, then a set of Mississippi State corn hole platforms are the way to go. This ensures that for any game y’all are prepared.
Mississippi State platforms
A personalized jewelry case for the sister who literally has everything! No one can ever have enough bags. These come in multiple colors as well.
jewlrey case
Your sibling will thank you when they open this one! This jacket is cozy and fits true to size. It is perfect for Starkville weather.
Patagonia jacket
Preparing for freshman year is hard, let us make it easier for you! Our very own Rachel and Monet have put together a list of 18 they could not have lived without in their dorm this year!
For the morning you wake up exhausted and need an extra boost, this is the best!
You will never need to buy water bottles and you will always have fresh, cold, water on hand. A lifesaver.
Perfect to use as a pantry or for other small items that need to be stored.
For relaxation or a stress free study night.
Let’s face it: life is unpredictable.
Laundry isn’t cheap and quarters never fail (especially if the card reader isn’t working correctly).
Keeps your clothes wrinkle free and so quick and easy to use!
Makes the bed so much more comfortable, and makes you feel at home in a new place.
You can never go wrong with the comfort a fuzzy blanket brings.
For those hot summer nights or when the AC goes out, you never know.
Perfect for the Sunday’s when you want to sleep in!
They make it so much easier to get on your bed and provide extra storage.
This is an essential if you have a bathroom.
This makes your dorm so cute and homey!
Makes your room so cozy and comfortable for naps.
If you have room it is definitely an essential!
You never know what kind of social events are going to come up!
For constant support and love. For hugs on the good and bad days. For an unbreakable bond built on many laughs and unforgettable memories.
OH HEY, FOR BEST VIEWING, YOU'LL NEED TO TURN YOUR PHONE