College is a time to expand your horizons and grow as a person. It’s a time to make new friends and enjoy your time away from home. Many people do this by joining a Greek organization. Greeklife students have a not-so-good reputation on almost any college campus. Most people who are not in Greeklife don’t understand that it isn’t just something people join to wear their letters and party. Being Greek is about so much more than that.
Being Greek has so many different positive aspects to it. All Panhellenic and IFC sororities and fraternities have a focus on philanthropy. Philanthropy, in short, is community service. A Greek organization's philanthropy is something that every chapter across the nation of that particular fraternity or sorority supports. They donate their time, money, and efforts to this philanthropic cause. It isn’t something that they do so they can tell the university they’re doing something positive; it’s something that many, many chapters are extremely passionate about. Greek organizations host at least one philanthropy event each semester where other Greek organizations on campus donate money for a “team” or a group of members to participate in the event. All the money goes to the Greek organization's cause. It’s a time for different Greek organizations on campus to all come together and either play a sports game, host a cookout, or a series of games in honor of a different philanthropic event.
Being Greek also gives you a support system. You have more or less 50 brothers or sisters that you always have by your side. Even though everyone in your organization can’t be your best friend, they’re always there for you. They’re there to be your study partner, your late-night cookout date, your walking buddy to class, your ride when you need someone to pick you up, etc. You'll never feel lonely and you'll always have someone to be there for you.
While being Greek does have its social benefits, it has so many more benefits than just that. You have friends for the rest of your life. You have connections. You have people that are there to support you. The Greek community itself is a support system as well. People need to realize that Greeklife is an amazing, positive experience and not just an excuse to party.
Joining Greeklife has given me so many amazing things. I've made volunteered more, branched out, and met the people that will be my friends not just for 4 years, but for life.
