"From the outside looking in, you can never understand it. From the inside looking out, you can never explain it." -Unknown
Coming into college, I was a first generation student, meaning my parents did not attend college and, therefore, were not involved in Greek Life. I attended Greek Discovery Day and instantly fell in love with the culture and the atmosphere of the 13 Panhellenic Chapter Houses at Oklahoma State. At the time, this was all a foreign language to me, the college campus, the greek atmosphere, and my leaders who were "Gamma Chi", but at the time I had no earthly clue what that even meant. I was learning Greek terms, the recruitment process, information about each chapter house. I was confident and ready for my first step into college life and joining a sorority. I went through Fall Recruitment (which could be a whole other article) and found my home. Running to my sorority on Bid Day into the arms of girls who I barely knew that had such embracing hugs and joyful words, I knew that this is where I belonged.
1. I Have Friends For A Lifetime
I immediately felt the excitement and happiness from my new sisters when I ran into their arms on bid day. Although I only knew the five girls that rushed me throughout the week, every single member of my new house was hugging me, and welcoming me as I walked onto the lawn and into the house. I was meeting my pledge class, taking pictures, and getting to know the upperclassmen. I knew that these girls were going to support me through my college years, and push me to strive to be the best I can be.
2. I Am Apart of Something Bigger Than Myself
My sorority's philanthropy is Domestic Violence, and we reach out to students on campus, community-wide, and nationally. Within the first two weeks of joining, I went through the training to volunteer at our communities domestic violence outreach center. The training was for the entire community but 90 percent of the individuals there to train were my fellow sisters. Not only did this show me the genuine sisters I had, it showed me we stood together to make a difference. My sorority has a system where girls who are trained, receive calls when there is a domestic violence case and the woman or man needs assistance, they sit in the hospital with them or they help them during the police process.
3. I Am Encouraged To Seek The Heights
Not only academically, but in all aspects of life. I have never been around a group of women so motivated, talented, driven, and encouraging. Each of my sisters is talented and unique in their own way, with goal-orientated perspectives. I always have a mentor or study buddy for every class, following encouraging words for every exam. I truly could not make it through life, relationships, or school without the support and love I receive from my Alpha Chi sisters.
