Whether you're a freshman coming to a college campus for the first time or are already a student at your university, joining a Greek organization is something to highly consider. Through the media, fraternities and sororities alike receive bad reputations. However, the media fails to share the benefits that thousands of students across the nation experience every day. Here is a list of five reasons why you should consider joining a Greek organization on your college campus this coming semester:
1. Social Skills
As we all adjust to college and the real world, having good social skills is a great way to establish new relationships, network with potential employers and step outside of your comfort zone. Learning to be a great communicator is something everybody should do. Through Greek life, you are given multiple opportunities to work with other organizations and companies to reach out to members of your campus and community. Representing your organization on campus is a great way to meet new people to enjoy your college experience with.
2. Time Management
Before I came to college, my father always told me that the biggest struggle I was going to face was how to manage my time well. In high school, your schedule is laid out for you. You're stuck in the same building from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., attend a club meeting until 4 p.m. and then participate in your two hour sports practice just to wake up and do the same thing all over again. In college, you make your own time. You decide when you go to class, eat, sleep, exercise and so on. That can be difficult at first. However, a Greek organization teaches you how to tackle this obstacle. Numerous events, meetings and seminars occur daily in Greek life, causing you to plan your time accordingly and giving you a more structured schedule.
3. Experience
Growing up you often hear how college is going to be some of the best years of your life. Rushing is a great way to make that happen. For me, Greek life and my college experience are almost synonymous terms. I joined a fraternity my first semester in college and that made my adjustment so much easier. I wasn't handling these new problems alone. I had a group of guys going through the same things as me. We helped each other take care of the stress and pressures that college life can bring. Through Greek life, I've also learn responsibility. Joining an organization and getting highly involved means you'll have other people looking to you for answers to questions or concerns they may have. You'll learn a lot, like how to handle a budget, work with teams of people and resolve conflict. These skills are all things you can take with you for life after college.
4. Professionalism
We know many stereotypes thrown around about fraternity and sorority members, but one that is often said is how "preppy" these people dress. I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with this statement, all I'm saying is that it isn't such a bad thing. Many Greek organizations host dinners, meetings, events, seminars and conferences that call for more professional attire. Networking with alumni from your organization is a great way to get your foot in the door to whatever career path you wish to take. To make networking with business owners go more smoothly, dressing appropriately makes a great first impression. In college, you're building the foundation for your career. You're training for the professional world. You wouldn't go into a job interview looking like a slob, so why would you on campus when you could network and connect with professors and university officials who are there to help you get to where you want to be?
5. Life-long Friends
During college, you may experience some of the best and some of the hardest moments in your life. Surround yourself with people who are there to help motivate you and push you to become a better person. Give yourself people who will always be there to pick you back up when things get tough. Create memories and establish relationships that will last a lifetime. Some people see Greek organizations and say, "They're just buying their friends." Well I can honestly say that if that's the case, I haven't paid nearly enough. Joining a Greek organization was the best decision I've made to develop into the man I want to be and to achieve success.
