Considering joining Greek Life in college?
Before you do, consider the following:
1. Who are you joining Greek life for?
If the reason is for
ANYONE, but yourself then please do not do it. You need to join Greek life for
you. Greek life is so much more than you know now and if you don’t
want to be a part of it for you, then you’re not in the right place. Greek life
is something you need to be able to dedicate yourself to, after all this is a
lifelong commitment.
2. There will ALWAYS be a stigma around Greek life.
No matter who you talk to, there will always be people who think your sorority or fraternity are just like the movies. There is always going to be people who ask about the crazy parties you’ve had or what you had to go through to get into your organization. We aren't all rude, ignorant snobs. Sororities and Fraternities aren’t always as they seem, it may surprise you how opposite they are from their movie counterparts
3. Hazing is NEVER okay.
“These hands don’t haze.” Is a national movement against hazing, because no one should be: berated, degraded or humiliated in the name of an organization. Your Greek family is supposed to lift you up, not bring you down. If you ever feel uncomfortable in a situation, report it.
4. Do not reinvent yourself to match what you think they want.
If you think an organization wants you to be different from who you are, you should not be there. You should join a loving environment who supports you as yourself than someone you think they would like.
5. You have to love the organization as much as you love the people.
It’s a great feeling to be included in something you can connect with in your heart. Organizations always have a charity they donate time and money to, and bonding over that experience can be the best feeling in the world. Spending time with your brothers or sisters and bonding over an amazing cause is what really makes Greek Life amazing.
6. The moment you meet the organization you are supposed to be a part of, you will know.
I thought it was cheesy when my friends said I would know, like it was some magic Cinderella fairy god mother moment that I would magically be swept off my feet for, but they were right. It wasn’t so much an overwhelming feeling it was more of a warm home feeling. Once you feel that, you know where you belong.
7. Remember, some people require some warming up before you get to know them.
Not everyone is outgoing and friendly at first. It takes a little getting used to before everyone fully settles and becomes comfortable around each other, but it will happen and you will know you’re exactly where you should be.
8. Whether it’s run home or reveal, you will never forget that feeling of coming home.
There is such a rush when it comes to this day. You’re nervous, excited, and secretive because you don’t want anyone to know until you’ve officially run home. It was recommended to me that I have someone film my run home and I’m so glad I did. Any time I’m sad or I feel alone I re-watch that video and it makes me smile.
9. You will become friends with people you never would have expected.
Our entire class became so close that being away from them for the summer sucks. I cannot wait till August to get back to them, but this rings true because one sister became one of my best friends. I never expected to become best friends with someone who seemed completely my opposite, but now that we are separated for the summer I miss her every day because she lives across the country. Friendships bloom like beautiful flowers because of these organizations.
10. No matter what organization you join, Greeks are a family through and through.
Near or far the Greeks are always there for one another. If one organization is having a rough time the others always join in to bring them up in their hard times. Greeks are the best kind of family, we’re the ones you get to choose.
