Growing up, I was your typical "Tom-girl." I played multiple sports, loved to get dirty. I would have rather gone to lift weights versus going to the mall. I was not the girl who had all the top name purses, and shoes, but the girl who had a closet full of gym shorts and running shoes. I was "one-of-the-guys" when it came to my choice of friends. Somewhere along the line, I thought that I would give these "girls" in college a chance, and it was the best decision that I ever made.
So here's to you, the girl who thinks she would rather drink bleach over joining a sorority, give it a chance.
The summer before my freshman year of college, I started getting followed on all social media forms by all these girls, who kept talking to me about Greek life, and why I should give it a chance. I accepted the request and talked to them but always turned my head about the thought of ever actually joining. I talked to my "guy friends" about if they even pictured me as a sorority girl, and they seriously laughed at me. Said that I would never be preppy enough to join.
When I arrived on campus, I started to see these girls around. They all dressed so nice, and here I was in sweatpants and a t-shirt still completely doubting I would ever get along with these girls. Then came time for open recruitment and all of the girls started messaging me when and where the events were, what the theme and that they would just love for me to come and hang out with them for a few hours. I skipped the first event of rush week. The second night, it was a theme where everyone got all dressed up, and I was like okay, I'm not dressing up. I figured if they were going to love me for who I was, they would be totally okay that I was showing up in gym shorts. To my surprise, they did not care. the third night, I still did not dress to match the event, and once again showed up in my gym shorts, and they still all told me how happy they were that I was there. I ended up talking to my parents about this nonsense, and they actually encouraged me to join. I was like oh god, they have even got to my parents. But, they made me realize it was such a good way to make a close group of friends on campus.
So here is to the girl who were like me, anti-sorority and would rather wear gym shorts instead of Lilly Pulitzer; give Greek life a chance. It is one of the best networking options available on a college campus. You will get more than close friends, you will get a sisterhood that will last a life time. You will get the chance to participate in some amazing philanthropic events, and get to serve your community when your organization does service projects. Greek life is NOT about partying and social media, its about finding a deeper meaning to yourself. Please, do not give into the obscene things that are said about sorority. Being in a sorority does not mean that you do not have goals, or are a dumb blonde.
I, for one, am so glad that these girls came after me, and never gave up on me when I gave barely any effort to them. I will forever be thankful for my sisters. and yes, I have learned now that there is more to life than just sweatpants and Nike shorts.
