So, you've made the bold decision of ditching dorm life and moving into your sorority house. Take my word for it when I say, it is not like it looks in the movie. Things will be hectic at times, and with 20+ girls under one roof, you'll learn things about yourself and your sisters that you never expected. I believe living in your sorority house as a member of Greek Life on your campus is an incredible experience that will forever change how you look at the women you are surrounded by. But before you start to really appreciate where you live, there's some things you should know...
1) You now have 20 closets to choose from.
Welcome to the world of having an infinite number of tops to chose from when going out. It may be hard to locate some of the things your lend out, but it is always worth having first pick from the cutest closets in the house. Finding someone who has the same shoe size as you is like Christmas. Prepare to leave your house for socials as the best dressed for the theme that night.
2) Your therapist lives down the hall.
Whether you need to vent about the latest drama or get some advice on how to respond to a text from your crush, these girls are trained in giving advice. They'll be brutally honest with you at times, but sometimes, that's exactly what you need to hear. Just as they are always there for you, expect to be always there for each one of them in times of need. Everyone's doors are always open and when it really comes down to it, the girls who you may not even be closest with are always willing to help you out when you need it most.
3) Someone is always studying and someone is always going out.
People always say college is about finding your balance. Well, I've come to find that living in my sorority house has become a similar situation. There is always the girl who has her nose in the book studying for exams that are three weeks away, the one who's always down to go to the library with you until 2 a.m. to cram the night before a midterm and the one who can bring out your crazy side and is always ready to go out. Having all types of people under one roof definitely keeps it interesting, but it also makes you feel okay about staying in for the night or going out on a Thursday when you really should be studying. There is always someone to do something with and with our house GroupMe being the source of all communication, plans for the night are just one message away.
4) You'll never have to worry about eating alone ever again.
If you're like me and you like to eat your dinner at 2 a.m., trust me, they'll be someone else down there to join you. You never, ever will have to panic about who you're going to eat with in between your classes. After dinner talks with my sisters have become some of my favorite times ever and honestly, I wish we had a bigger table so we could all sit together more often. With that being said, get ready for late plates to be your best friend if you are ever as busy as I am. Try to mix up who you eat meals with, it's a great way to get to know some girls you may not have had the chance to make personal relationships with.
5) Your roommate will become like your mother.
If you get sick, you've got a built in mother right there to take care of you. You've always got someone to talk to, someone to plan the weekend with, and ultimately, you're roommate will become like your built in partner in crime. You'll start to love their bigs' crafts that are hung on your walls almost as much as they do. They will accept you at you absolute worst and celebrate your successes with you. They'll understand that you like to live like a slob and still love you anyway.
6) People will envy the relationships you have formed with your sisters
People will probably start to get sick of all of the Snapchats and Instagram posts of you with the same 20 girls, but you can't help how obsessed with are with each other! You will have a bond with these girls that is hard to explain and even harder to let go of. However, don't let this new found closeness make other girls feel unwelcome, your sorority house is supposed to be the heart of the chapter; the place where everyone, no matter what pledge class, is welcome to come and hang out. Try to form those relationships with everyone that comes to hangout in the house!
7) You will have drama and it will make you stronger.
You put 20 girls anywhere, and there's going to be some kind of drama. Looking past all the "he said she said" stuff that happens when the semester first starts off, you've gotten through a lot together. Nothing should ever, ever be taken to heart. Sometimes, the reality is that living with so many people with so many different personalities will cause tension. You've got through it together before and there's nothing anyone can say that will permanently ruin any relationship you have with these girls. At the end of the day, you're sisters and sisters fight.
8) Your chef will spoil you.
Fresh bagels every morning, dinner buffets that leave you beyond stuffed, a breakfast and lunch menu that will make that freshman 15 something that could happen every semester and unlimited cereal and chips... Let's put it this way, you'll never want to walk into the dining hall ever again. Need I say more? (Shoutout to Chef Tom for being the real MVP).
9) There is no such thing as privacy.
If you thought sharing a hall bathroom in your freshman dorm was weird, get ready for this. Everyone basically knows each others room codes at this point so forget about ever being able to get changed or get ready. Expect to come back from class or the library to sister cuddled up in your bed waiting for you. There's no such thing as "too far" anymore.
10) You will find yourself doing anything for each other.
I've found that I never really understood what was different between being friends or being sisters before living in my sorority house. If someone messes with one of you, they've got 20 girls to deal with. There isn't anything like living with your friends, but there truly will never be anything as valuable as living with your sisters. The loyalty, the honestly, and the absolutely love I feel towards these girls is indescribable and something that I think every sorority girl should get the chance to experience. Thanks for being such awesome people to live with!
