Here at Iowa State University, the Greek community is huge. Almost half of our campus population is involved in some way and sometimes it can be hard to tell who’s who. Before college, I knew very little involving Greek life, then I came to ISU and witnessed hundreds of girls walking around campus the entire first week wearing name tags and sundresses and realized just how expansive it is. To me, the Greek community is extremely interesting and admittedly, I had made a few snap judgements regarding the involved parties.

Then I became better acquainted with many members of the Greek community and realized I was making too harsh of a generalization regarding people I really didn't even know.

I'm learning that not everybody involved in a Sorority or Fraternity fits the stereotype that has been set for them.

However, regardless of my newfound open-mindedness and astounding maturity, I am also learning that the majority of the Greek community is still pretty easy to spot out.

1. They’re wearing their letters

The most obvious give-a-way, you’ll never spot a Panhellenic participant without some form of representation. Whether it’s a comfort colored article of clothing or a sticker on their laptop. I have to admit though, I’m in love with the shirts sorority girls wear. Those bro tanks. *heart eyes*

2. They know so many people

I have a friends that are involved in the Greek Community, and let’s be honest, I can’t go anywhere without them recognizing someone.

3. They will have so many pictures on Facebook.

Whether they’re tagged in them or it’s their own albums, social media gets overrun with candid pictures, especially during times like Recruitment or Homecoming.

4. They invite you to a lot of events.

All those fundraising events with catchy titles and food for cheap? You know what I’m talking about.

5. They’ll probably bring it up.

You know how they say you’ll always know when someone’s a vegetarian? That applies here too.

6. They’ll ask you if you’re involved in the Greek Community

And when you say no you’ll feel funny.

7. They’ll publicly be proud of their house, using their social media bios as tools to quickly inform you of what house they are part of.

And why shouldn’t they be? They’re part of something and they have a right to their pride. Everyone should be able to show a little passion for the things they are involved with.

Like me and my passion for Twitter or my mom and her passion for sharing embarrassing pictures of me on Facebook.

Back to talking about the list though. Even though it is usually glaringly obvious who is involved in Greek life, it’s important that we don’t judge people based on that.

Because I’ve realized that there are all types of people involved in the Greek community and there all all types of people who are not. Being involved in something or not being involved in something should not strictly define who you are as an individual and we should not judge people solely based on what letters they wear (if any).

It’s great that the Greek community is proud to be involved in their Fraternity or Sorority, and it’s great that other individuals are proud to not be.

The Greek community just has to understand that not everyone wants to be Greek and the rest of us need to understand that it’s not shallow if someone is.

“I wish I could bake a cake filled with rainbows and smiles and everyone would eat and be happy.”

-Crying girl from Mean Girls