Starting college is the beginning of a lot of new things. New home, new people, new classes, new start. However, it is also one of the biggest life changing decisions one new freshman could make. The decision to whether or not join not only a Greek sorority or fraternity, but a family in your new "home" away from home. As a soon to be college graduate and AOII alum, I can speak from experience when I say the choice to go Greek was certainly the best decision I've ever made. Here's why:
No matter what happens in your life, you have 100+ people who will always have your back. Whether it be the highest part of your life, or the very lowest, you will ALWAYS have support and not just four years. When you feel like you are all alone or feel like you've just won the lottery, you can look back and see so many others who share your pain and feel your excitement right along with you.
2. One word: Networking
This one might really be one of the most important. I am sure you have heard the famous saying, It's not WHAT you know, but WHO you know. Let's face it, whether we like it or not most of the time a foot in the door can always help you out. When you join the Greek community, you are given more links than you could ever imagine. I even experienced the impact of making connections and finding places and opportunities that I never would have had without it.
3. Still have "high school" like experiences.
If you are like me, the thought of high school cheerleading ending was worse than the thought of actual high school ending. However, the Greek system provided me with a way to continue to do what I love through pyramid and even line dance. There is no greater feeling than dancing around a line, throwing crazy signs at the top of an awesome stunt, stomping around on a gym floor, or even shooting hoops and spiking volleyballs than with a group of people you couldn't love more. The thrill of hearing those letters and chants being yelled as you perform helps to remind you just how many people care about you and what you do for the group you all chose to become a part of along side a bunch of strangers. (At the time)
4. Your children will be a legacy.
Once you decide to take the step to join something bigger than yourself, you allow your children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews the opportunity to the very same thing. You open all of those wonderful doors for someone more than just yourself. Someone that you will learn that you love more than anything in the world. The group you love so dearly, will only be better if you have the greatest love(s) of your life in the exact same group. Your children will be loved by more than just you too. They will have so many "aunts and uncles" that they won't be able to keep everyone straight. What's better to a kid than so much attention!?
5. You are able to give back.
One of the best parts of joining a fraternity or sorority, is the ability to give back. Once you join, you are joining a charity that you can help do things that wouldn't have been able to do without you. You can make a difference in someone's life more than you could ever imagine. You have a reason to tell people that there is more to a sorority girl than a big t-shirt, or more to a frat guy than the next big party. You provide funding to an organization that becomes near and dear to your heart.
6. You learn to love.
You may think you already know how to love. However, you will learn to love unconditionally. Obviously a large group of boys and girls will never be a walk in the park. Emotions will run higher and competition will run higher. But no matter what happens, even if you have a "least favorite" person of the group, you will still hope for the best for them because you know that's what the bigger person will do. You are tied to strangers near and far. Actually, on second thought, you will NEVER meet a stranger. You run into someone with the same letters and you are automatically connected by a bond. You can think your Greek organization for that. Not only do you love each other, but you have a less "crazier" love for your significant other. Instead of focusing all of your attention on one thing, you will actually be running around like a chicken with no head and won't have time to complain or fight with anyone else. And if you do, you have people to keep your mind off that too.
7. You are never alone.
Like I stated above, no matter what happens in your life you will always have someone there for you. Whether it be a storm, a bad day, a hungry belly, or just need someone to coach you through that extra push up, someone is always there. It's a scary thought to leave home and your friends, but you won't be lonely and scared long. The happy part is that you find that at some point you might actually be begging for a moment to lay in your bed all by yourself.
8. You will never be bored.
I am a busy body, one of my biggest fears is to be stuck with nothing to do for days on end. Luckily for me, AOII solved that problem for me. There is always something to do, somewhere to go, and someone that needs help with something. If you are a leader, you can always get involved on your Leadership Council, where you can help make a difference for your entire chapter. Your voice will be heard. You can share your creative touch, or your intelligence in interactive ways. Then, you will have a connection with everyone in your sorority/fraternity. The best thing about the entire thing is, you can be become as involved as you want. And love every bit of it.
9. Your grades actually please your parents/guardians.
One of the best parts of being in a fraternity/sorority is improving your grade point average. After all, isn't that what we all actually came to college for? Believe it or not, it is. The group you are surrounded by encourage you to do your best in everything you do. They give you the extra push you may need while getting used to your new surroundings. You are asked to be the best version of yourself and this includes making grades so you can land the dream job that you are in college to train for!
10. You join something bigger than yourself.
THE most important part of joining the Greek community. You finally find your yourself. You find out what matters to you and what doesn't. What are your values and what your dreams may be one day. While your parents/guardians have paved a great road for you, it is your turn to decide what and how you want to live your life. You have the freedom to make decisions that you want to influence and affect the rest of your life. You find out just how strong you are how IMPORTANT you are to the world you live in. It shows you how special and how big of an impact you can make on others. It pushes you to be the very best version of yourself. Being Greek forces you to find what makes you happy and what you need in life to succeed. It's just a constant reminder to love who you are and to accept others along the way.
I am sure you have heard people say "you pay for your friends", however, if that is the case I DID NOT pay enough. Going Greek is hands down the best decision I could have ever made. It made my high school friendship closer, and gave me several other best friends that I couldn't imagine life without. It helped me to remember that other people's feelings matter too. No matter where you go, or who you encounter, you always know to be sociable and sweet. This day in time it is hard to find people who respect others and care about someone more than themselves. AOII did that for me, and it or any other can do that for you.
