Do Not Tell Me That My Sorority Is Only Good For Partying

Do Not Tell Me That My Sorority Is Only Good For Partying

A quick reminder to not give into social stereotypes.

Karen Barkema
Karen Barkema Nov 29, 2018
486
views

From the beginning of time and all throughout history, humans and animals traveled in packs to hunt for food and invent new, more efficient ways to live. Our ancestors had a support system and worked together in order to survive with no electricity or modern tools. The people around them became family, blood related or not. Psychologists say that it is innate human nature to crave acceptance and build relationships among peers. This is exactly what a sorority is. They are a pack of women who have turned into family. Sororities are full of empowered women who empower all women.

For any decision I make, I know I have countless women behind me, supporting me and cheering me on as I reach my full potential. They let me make my own mistakes and fall down only to pick me right back up and go for a consoling ice cream run. They celebrate my little victories as well as my significant accomplishments. My mood is (unfortunately) very weather determined and I always have women to sit and watch movies on the gray, rainy days with me. I have women who are as crazy as I am and will train for half marathons with me. I have women who have the exact same online shopping addiction as I do we can talk about fabric materials, dressy heels, and outfit color combinations for hours. I have women in my classes who make sitting through long lectures a little less painful by working together to figure out complicated concepts. These are my people. I have women everywhere who match every little crevice of my existence and I never feel alone.

I am accepted for who I am without having to change one thing about my opinions or actions. I have not changed since I have been in my sorority, but I have grown. I have evolved into someone that I am proud of and I stand behind 110% of my actions. The women in my sorority have all carbon copied morals and believe in holding each other accountable emotionally and physically.

Being in a sorority has changed my life for the better and I am fuller of life because of it. From needing help with math homework and bringing down equations on a sticky note to lunch (someone in my house can always figure it out), to getting ready for formals and yelling down the hall to see if anyone has a lipstick shade to match my outfit (someone always has the perfect color), to holding each other up on rough days (someone can always turn tears into contagious giggles), do not tell me that sororities are only good for partying.

Karen Barkema
Karen Barkema Nov 29, 2018
At Iowa State University
At Iowa State University
At Iowa State University

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To The Grandmothers Who Made Us The Women We Are Today

Sincerely, the loving granddaughters.
Carlie Konuch
Carlie Konuch Oct 2, 2017
1198599
views

The relationship between a grandmother and her granddaughter is something so uniquely special and something to be treasured forever.

Your grandma loves you like you are her own daughter and adores you no matter what. She is the first person you run to when you have a problem with your parents and she never fails to grace you with the most comforting advice.

She may be guilty of spoiling you rotten but still makes sure to stress the importance of being thankful and kind.

Your grandma has most likely lived through every obstacle that you are experiencing now as a young adult and always knows just exactly what to say.

She grew up in another generation where things were probably much harder for young women than they are today.

She is a walking example of perseverance, strength, and grace who you aim to be like someday.

Your grandma teaches you the lessons she had to learn the hard way because she does not want you to make the same mistakes she did when she was growing up.

Her hugs never fail to warm your heart, her smile never fails to make you smile, and her laugh never fails to brighten your day.

She inspires you to be the best version of yourself that you can be.

You only hope that one day you can be the mother and grandmother she was to you.

A piece of girl’s heart will forever belong to her grandma that no one could ever replace.

She is the matriarch of your family and is the glue that holds you all together.

Grandmothers play such an important role in helping their granddaughters to grow into strong, intelligent, kind women.

She teaches you how to love and how to forgive.

Without the unconditional love of your grandma, you would not be the woman you are today.

To all of the grandmothers out there, thank you for being you.

Sincerely,

the loving granddaughters

Cover Image Credit: Carlie Konuch
Carlie Konuch
Carlie Konuch Oct 2, 2017
At Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
At Aspiring Journalism Professionals

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You Don't Have To See Your Friends Every Day

We all have lives that we're trying to balance.

Julia Train
Julia Train Jun 11, 2019
460
views

For as long as I can remember, whenever I would have no plans and go on Snapchat to see all my friends having fun without me, I would get FOMO. I'd get really sad and think that they didn't care about me because they didn't invite me. It would get me in such a bad mood that it would ruin any chance of going out with someone else who wanted to hang out.

I don't know if it was just my anxiety of people hating me or if it was a fear of missing out (FOMO). Even recently, it has gotten me down. However, over the past month or so, I finally realized something: you don't have to hang out every day to still consider each other friends.

Everyone has a life that they're trying to balance, especially after high school. People work (maybe even more than one job) and go to school. Some have to take care of family members or do things for their family. Some people are focusing on themselves. Some have relationships to maintain. Whatever it is, we all have lives that we're trying to balance.

We all want to have fun, but school, work, and our families are the priorities.

Even if they're out hanging with other people, it doesn't mean that they don't want to hang out with you. Free time is served on a "first come, first serve" basis. It's hard to balance hanging out with multiple people.

I also learned that it doesn't matter the number of friends you have. What truly matters is the quality. Ask yourself, "Who's there for me when I really need someone?" The people who are there for you when you really need someone to talk to are your TRUE friends.

It's not easy to be there for someone and make them feel better. If they offer to listen or give advice, they care!

I know that it may feel like you have no friends sometimes, but that's not true. Life after high school is hard at times. You're an adult. You have to do adult things and take care of yourself first.

You have to realize that everyone has a busy schedule and not all your friends' schedules will align with yours, but that's okay! You don't need to hang out with friends every day to consider them your friends. What truly matters is if they are there for you when you need them.

Julia Train
Julia Train Jun 11, 2019
At Rowan University

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