When people hear the word "sorority," many tend to have thoughts about pretty girls jumping up and down with bubbly personalities who party nonstop. The reputation of a sorority is often surface-level and portrayed to be something negative in the media. There are many times that I tell someone I am in sorority and get a look of disgust or horror as if I have done something wrong. I am proud to say that I break the stereotype, and I am sure many other sorority girls can agree with me also.
1. "It's a pretty girls club."
Many people think that sororities pick and choose based solely on looks. This may sound cliché, but what matters most is what is on the inside. When I was rushing, I was guilty in believing that every girl had to be tall, skinny and perfect in every way possible. At first, I was against joining a sorority because of what I assumed. Once I got to know these girls, they seemed more genuine and real. I knew they were more interested to get to know me than judge me on how I look.
2. "You're buying your friends."
This is probably the most common thing people say to me who aren't in a sorority. Of course all sororities have dues that cover the cost of events throughout the year, but what they don't pay for is the friendship and bond that we all share. From the outside looking in, we may look like we are buying our friends because of how quickly we become close. In all honesty, we are all excited to meet new people and become apart of something that will change our lives. No, we are not buying our sisters; we are buying the events and activities that create an unbreakable bond.
3. Hazing
As a strong-minded woman, I would never let someone tell me what I can and cannot do (besides my parents, haha). Movies portray the beginning of a new member's sorority life as torturous and the only way to be accepted. Being in a sorority, I have never felt uncomfortable because I was never forced to do something I did not want to do. Everything I do is completely up to my decision. Hazing is something my sorority proudly says that we do not tolerate.
4. "You have to be rich or come from money."
Not going to lie, I live the average broke college student life. I eat Ramen Noodles more than I want to and dig up whatever coins I can find for McDonald's. Being in a sorority, you do have to pay dues. Personally, I think what I pay to be in a sorority is completely worth it and has taught me to spend more wisely. Being a full-time student and sorority girl, I spend some of my time working to earn that extra little cash. Who doesn't love a busy life?
5. "You're always partying."
We all have to admit it, there are times where we want to let loose and have a little fun. Some like to go out more than others but not everyone does. There are weekends where I just want to lay in bed and Netflix all day. There are other days where I have to work or study for an exam. Just like any other college student out there, we value our grades and time more than what people think.
6. "Sorority girls are dumb."
This is the one thing that gets on my last nerves. Many famous woman were once in a sorority like Carrie Underwood, Tory Burch, Sara Blakely and Maya Angelou. All of these woman are hard-working individuals who are not in the slightest way dumb. One of the first things that I found out when rushing was that in order to join and stay in a sorority there must be a minimum GPA that is kept up. In my sorority, grades are very important because we keep in mind that we are in school to get an education. There are study hours and ways to help sisters who need help in school.
