Graduating high school is one of the most exciting times in ones educational career. You get so caught up in the excitement and the moment and then next thing you know it, your summer is over and you're sitting on your bedroom floor wondering what on earth you're supposed to pack for college. As you sit there, you grow more and more anxious about leaving the comfort and security of your home and the town you grew up in where you know everyone. You worry about being alone and if you'll fit in or not, and if college is everything the movies brainwashed you to believe. Going off to college means so many new experiences without the comfort and security that you're used to.
I would love to tell you that college is a wonderful experience for everyone and that you'll be just fine, but the reality is that everyone gets a little homesick and encounters their own personal struggles. I've learned that what you put into life is what you get out, and that goes for college too. The more involved you are, the better the experience. I've found that those who are a part of an organization like a collegiate sports team or Greek life tend to have the best experiences. They tend to have these amazing experiences because they both share five crucial elements: academics, family, hard work, professional opportunities and a social life.
Academics:
When you are a part of Greek life or a collegiate sports team, you are held to a set of academic standards that include study hours and a minimum GPA. These study hours tend to vary from study hall hours each day or week to bi-weekly tutoring sessions, or even systems, in which you earn points for doing well on tests, quizzes, tutoring someone within your organization and much more. While thinking about study sessions and tutoring truly makes me want to go to sleep, its really something that I have learned to appreciate. When you're a part of Greek life or collegiate sports, you're held to a higher standard with the motivation of wanting to compete or enjoy bonding with your sisters while sailing out on Mission Bay. That motivation along with the countless resources offered really helps you excel in school and pushes you to be successful and graduate on time. The best part about it is that school becomes so much more fun because you get to study with some of your favorite people, and all of a sudden, it doesn't really feel like studying anymore and you're rewarded with good grades. Who doesn't like being successful?
Hard work:
Hard work is definitely shown in different areas, but I can promise you that collegiate teams and Greek organizations work extremely hard. Athletes endure 5 A.M. workouts, hours of film and meetings, and then even more workouts giving 110 percent all the time while balancing school and a social life. At one time in our life, most of us played some type of sport and sometimes practices were dreadful. College practices are unimaginably harder. On the other hand, Greeks put in a lot of hard work to make many events happen each month. These events include formals, bonding, campus unity, recruitment, new member education events, and many philanthropic events. While all these events may be by choice, it takes a lot of hard work to raise over $7 million dollars each year. Although the hard work is done in different areas, all contributors learn good work ethics, time management, how to work as a team and what its like to be rewarded for working hard.
Professional Opportunities:
Being a part of an organization like a collegiate sports team or Greek community often leads to many professional opportunities while in college and after college due to the amount of networking done while being a part of these organizations. As it becomes of part of you, you become a better person. You become selfless, a team player, organized, knowledgeable, and professional. Many athletes have received the opportunity to intern and even work full time for major companies such as NBA, NCAA, MLB, ESPN, prestigious colleges and many more well known sports organizations. Greeks have moved on to become Leadership Development Councilors, working at their headquarters, and even landing dream jobs relating to their major. College teams and Greek life help you become ready for the business world and the business world can't wait to welcome you!
Family:
At first you become a part of a sports team or Greek organization and it takes time to fit in, but then it becomes a family and a part of you and you can't imagine life without it. Sorority and fraternities have what is called a big and little reveal where new members are paired with a member already in the chapter, someone who they look up to, and that member becomes their mentor. They help them fit into the Greek system and become like an older sibling. Sports teams don't assign big and little relationships, but when new people join the team they sure find someone who takes them under their wing. In both organizations, new members find someone who looks out for them, someone who helps them grow, someone to be their shoulder to cry on, their inspiration, and their best friend. The big/little mentor relationship is one that you truly can only find within an organization, and it genuinely is something magical and irreplaceable. Within these organizations, you meet several people with whom you spend every day, and soon enough, they become your life long friends. Life long friends aren't easy to find, but when you find them, I advise you hold on tight. You suddenly have a limitless wardrobe, someone who will always support you, and someone who will pull all-nighters with you; what could be better than that?
Social Life:
What we all love most is having a good time with our friends away from our responsibilities, and because collegiate teams and Greek life form families, you're constantly surrounded by your friends and it makes college so much fun! Being a part of it makes the transition into college much more smooth and eliminates the loneliness that many feel as then move away from home, because it creates a home away from home, which is the next best thing if you can't actually be home. The social aspect that comes hand in hand with being a part of these two organizations is personally my favorite. Members get to participate in many social activities like homecoming, parent's weekend, tailgates, barbecues, movie nights, group dinner dates, roller blading, Greek week, dances, and most college students' favorite: parties. They have their own style of parties but I must say, athletes and Greeks know how to have a good time!
All of these activities offer a wonderful opportunity to continue to bond and become a family along with a great time and a break from the hard work and responsibility that comes with being a part of it all and going to college.
