This is a topic that seems to be discussed a lot, the topic of Greek Life that is. A lot of people ask me what it's like to be in Greek Life and sometimes I get questions like, "why would you ever go greek? Haven't you seen the movies?" And it kind of breaks my heart that people believe greek life is exactly what the media says. If anything, it's the complete opposite. It's a different environment on every campus but this is where my home is and Greek Life has given me so many opportunities that don't get a lot of light shined on them. And with spring recruitment thriving, I decided to write about something I'm passionate about. I gathered 7 of the most discussed things that the media portrays greek life and I'm proving them wrong.
1. Partying isn't the reason we joined.
I didn't come to college to party, I didn't join greek life so I could get into the best parties on campus. It's true what they say, joining greek life is your home away from home. Your sisters or brothers are your people. There is this bond between all of you and it's something that gets you through the day. We didn't join to party, we joined to find our home.
2. All sorority girls are blonde and skinny
I can tell you for a fact right now that this stereotype is kind of offensive to me. I'm not blonde nor am I skinny. There are so many people that go greek. Different hair color, women and men of color, and everyone is a different size. We don't preach on being skinny and eating healthy and starving ourselves to be loved. We love each other for who we are not for how we look.
3. All Fraternity guys are meatheads
Majority of fraternity guys that I am friends with are actually engineering majors or business majors or math majors. They have really high GPA's and work really hard to maintain their grades. Some of the smartest people I know are fraternity men.
4. You're paying for your friends
Sure, you pay for Greek Life. But you aren't paying for friends. Your "dues" all go to several different things. Each chapter is different. You're paying for a home, for opportunities that you can't be given in other situations. It's something that you will be apart of for a lifetime, with the people you love the most. I couldn't explain it better than it's the biggest and best blessing in my life.
5. We only party.
I think this is one that makes me the most frustrated. We don't only party. We take our education very seriously, we do movie nights with our sisters, we have socials with other chapters. Sure, we go out every now and then but it isn't what we're all about. I have a sister who is in the ROTC and the National Guard program. I have several sisters who works two or more jobs. We know how to have fun but we also know how to focus on important things as well.
6. "Hell week" / Hazing is our favorite thing to do to new members.
Just to clear any confusion, hazing is a huge NO. At least on my campus, if there is hazing the chapter (sorority or fraternity), the chapter can get kicked off of the campus. It's a serious topic to greek life students here and we are told repeatedly not to haze. Hazing is bad.
7. We only talk to our own sisters
FALSE. Once you join a sorority it does NOT mean you can't talk to other girls in other chapters. Some of my best friends are in different chapters. I'm super close with another chapter and spend time at their chapter's house, and I also spend time at my sorority's house. Just because you join one chapter doesn't mean you can't exclude every other chapter when it comes to making new friends.
The movies involving greek life are fun to watch and fun to laugh with but there comes a time where the line needs to be drawn. Greek Life has a stereotype and it's one that I'm breaking.
