I used to hate the idea of joining a sorority. I absolutely hated it. Every movie I had ever seen that featured a sorority portrayed its sisters as vapid, ditzy, and self-involved. I had heard all the sorority stereotypes: “Sorority girls pay for their friends.” “Sorority girls do nothing but party and drink.” “Sorority girls are shallow, mean, catty, slutty, etcetera.” I vowed to myself that I would never join a sorority, because in my mind, it was the most pathetic thing I could possibly do while in college.
I have never been happier to be so wrong about something. After several weeks as a college freshman, I began wondering how I would possibly find friends with common interests and values among 30,000+ people. I had heard about a few of my old high school classmates rushing at their universities and being really happy about it, and I began wondering if being in a sorority actually had some merit. Six months later, and I’m a full-fledged sister of Sigma Alpha Omega, a sorority here at NC State. It’s still funny to me how my opinion of sorority life changed so drastically, but I’m extremely glad it did. Here are five amazing things that you gain when you decide to join a sorority.
1. A support system
A sorority is basically a huge group of girls that are always there for you, no matter the circumstances. You may not be as close with some girls as you are with others, but when the going gets tough, it’s a guarantee that the sorority as a whole will help you any way they can. Whether you’re having friend or family issues, going through a rough break-up, or just feeling majorly stressed out about classes, your sisters will always be there to support you. Sorority sisters are great pep-talkers, shoulders to cry on, and genuine listeners. That’s a fact.
2. A wealth of knowledge and information
Need the 411 on a class you’re considering taking? A recommendation for the best date night spots around campus? A website where you can buy a cheap dress for semi? You’ve come to the right place. A sorority is essentially a network of girls, all with different types of knowledge and information. By being in a sorority, you learn about opportunities, receive recommendations, and gain all sorts of knowledge you never would’ve gotten on your own.
3. People you can be yourself around
It's easy to feel like a small fish in a big pond while attending college. Classes are big, the campus is even bigger, and it can often feel like you're losing your sense of identity when you're a part of such a large group of people. Being in a sorority gives girls the opportunity to interact with a smaller group of girls and find friends that they can be themselves around. By joining a sorority, you’re gaining the ability to grow close to other girls; so close that eventually, you’ll be totally comfortable being silly and weird around them.
4. Upperclassmen advice
No one gives better advice than upperclassman. They’re more familiar with the whole college scene and have the knowledge necessary to advise you and guide you. Even if you’re not a freshman, becoming friends with girls older than you can be beneficial simply because they’ve got more experience than you in certain areas. A sorority is full of older, wiser girls that can help you navigate the sometimes choppy waters of college.
5. A whole bunch of sisters
This is perhaps the most important thing of all that you’ll gain if you join a sorority. Sororities operate under the central idea that every member is a sister, and that all of the sisters combined make up the sisterhood. You’ve got big sisters, little sisters, and everything in between. In some cases (like mine), your sorority sisters will be the sisters you’ve never had. If you join a sorority, you’ll soon find out that it isn’t just a group of random girls; it’s a family.
