Being in a sorority has been a unique experience that has not only taught me how to handle extreme levels of estrogen but has also taught me things that go way beyond hair flips, songs, and rituals. I was never the girl that came into college dreaming about what being in a sorority would be like. To be frank, the only thing I saw that was different about each house during rush was the different fruits that were in each iced-water mason jar. I did not understand it, and eight months later, I am still not sure I can say I fully understand it. Here are some things I have learned about the real world while attempting Greek life.
1. Respect for others
Getting along with more than 200 women is nearly impossible. While it is not necessary to be best friends with every woman in your house, it is important to treat all of them with the same level of respect. In life, not everyone will like you, and you most certainly will not like everyone. However, having an open line of communication and respect for each and every woman in your house is the only way to survive being in a sorority. Learning how to respect yourself and the people around you is the key to keeping sane in a world of chaos.
2. Being an active member of a community
A sorority is a community. There are leadership positions, committees, and rules that keep each member of the community in check and functioning. Being in a sorority has taught me how to act and function respectfully in a room of conflicting opinions while allowing my voice to be heard.
3. Caring for someone you might not know
As mentioned earlier, 200-plus girls will not be your best friend in the same way that you might not even know half of those girls' names, and you might not even know some of their faces. I have learned that no matter who someone is or how you may know them, offering your help, if possible, is something everyone should do. Sororities like to use the fact that we all practice the same rituals and all share the same house as a reason to treat the women in your house like your sisters. While this is true, and we all have our sisters' backs when something goes wrong, I believe that practicing these “watching out for each other” deeds teaches us the way we should be treating any person in need. Being in a sorority has taught me that no matter who someone is, if you can help, you help. Point, blank, period.
4. Friday nights are study nights too
Something a lot of people (often concerned parents) are worried about when someone they know is joining a sorority is how she will balance her schoolwork. This is a legitimate concern as we are constantly having movie nights, mixers, meetings, etc. However, I can always find at least five people on a Friday night that are staying in and studying. This has taught me that life is about balance. Just because it is a Friday does not mean the work stops; life does not pause just because that one “super cool” fraternity is having a register. Sorority life is about balance, in the same way, that real life is about balance.
5. Representing yourself well
One of the most vital things about being in a sorority is understanding what we stand for and how we want to be perceived by others on campus. Being in a sorority has taught me the importance of accurately representing personal values and our house’s values through actions that are on- and offline. By presenting myself positively and aligning myself with the values my sorority holds, I have learned that being a part of a community means representing yourself in the best light possible in order to positively reflect the community you represent, as well as yourself.
Choosing to be a part of Greek life was not an easy decision for me. However, I have gained more out of the experience than I ever thought I would.
