I'm sure at some point in your life you have heard someone say, “You’re just buying your friends" when talking about sorority life or Greek life in general. These people can sometimes be close-minded to the advantages and reasons why someone would want to join Greek life. While dues are a part of sorority life they do not go towards “buying friends” and being in a sorority can be an amazing part of your time in college. Here are five reasons why you should think about going Greek!
1. Someone to stuff your face with!
The most influential reason why you might think about joining a sorority is sisterhood. Someone to go to the food court with and stuff your faces together, friends to go out with on those girls nights, or some sisters who will sit and listen to you sob and eat cookie dough ice cream (or any preferred flavor). The bond you share with your sisters is one created through time spent together and bonding between all of the girls, and once it's made it can never be broken. Once you become a part of Greek life you gain a whole new support system and family in college that you have never had before. If you need a ride home after a long night, or a ride to the airport for an early flight, you have someone there to help. College within itself can be a tantalizing and scary thing for any beginning freshman so gaining the support of girls all the way up into their senior year can become a huge help in learning the ropes. Whether you go to a small private university, or a huge public university the support of sisters can be hugely beneficial and enhance your college experience.
2. Relationships with future bosses and coworkers
Networking. Another word commonly associated with reasons to join Greek life. It is true that through your sorority you can have previously made relationships with some future interviewer, boss, or coworker when you head into the working world. This can help get your foot in the door at the job of your dreams, and get you steps closer to your goals. As previously mentioned, sisterhood is a bond shared by all the girls in your Greek organization even if they are an alumni or aren't a member of the same chapter. The support of your sorority is continued on into your adult life and you will always have the help of a sister if you need it. While this connection might not guarantee you a job in 100% of cases, it can help you make connections with the higher ups who can help you move from the kid’s table to the big leagues. Your career could move in the upward direction and assist in becoming a successful adult, allowing you to support yourself and your lifestyle in your future.
3. Making a difference
As you may know, sororities all take on philanthropies that they raise funds and support through events and community involvement. The access and potential to help charitable organizations for children, breast cancer, developmental disabilities, or anything you can think of is another advantage to going Greek. Depending on your organization there are a variety of philanthropies you may have which can allow you to touch the lives of people in your community. A good chunk of girls may join sorority due to a drive to help others by working with the philanthropic events and other work done by the organization and can give you a lot of satisfaction. The work done by sororities every year and I personally love volunteering and community work, and access to those opportunities is a huge advantage of sorority life.
4. Global Insight
Through sororities, you get exposed to so many different people, cultures and ways of thinking. Your sisters can be from all different states or countries, and so many different ways of living than you. With this in mind, being around them and a web of new people with all new lessons and experiences they can pass down can expose you to parts of the world that you had no idea existed. You can finally know what it's like to live in a Spanish household, or live in the state of California that you have dreamed of all your life. You can learn how different languages differ from English if some sisters are bilingual. You can exchange ideals and values that you may not have thought of, and your view might change on certain topics. Meeting new people, opening your mind and experiencing new things is the part of sorority life and even college in general that changes you. You become the person you want to be, and who you become will constantly change. You will find yourself through college and your interactions in sorority life and understand yourself, your beliefs and your goals by the end of your time there.
5: SHIRTS,SHIRTS,SHIRTS
Granted this is somewhat meant as a joke, but has profound meaning to me and I believe other girls as well. Any sorority girl knows that with every new semester comes a whole new wave of gear and attire, and they are most likely adorning your letters, which is awesome! These things you get over the years in a sorority are your memories. When you look back on those shirts you will think of that event, you will think of big-little reveal, or you will think of what crazy circumstances lead you to having that it. You accumulate A LOT of shirts and all kinds of things as gifts from your big or others, through chapter events, or if your girls wanted a cute shirt for the heck of it. In my first year as a sorority girl I have gotten at least 10 shirts from all kinds of Greek events and through my chapter and that's not including the decorations, stickers, blankets, and more. With all these shirts stuffing your drawers and closet you can always support and gain exposure for your sorority. Keep in mind though that wearing those letters isn't a joke and gives great responsibility to represent your Greek organization properly, but still look fabulous. So enjoy the shirts girls, they are memories within themselves of your time in Greek life!
