When I began my first semester at East Carolina University, I looked for every opportunity I could to make friends, as this would be my new home for the next year. I knew all about different clubs and organizations, but Greek like never stood out to me. I was convinced by some of my friends to give rushing a try, and this is what I've gathered from a week of rushing, and three months of being in a sorority before I dropped it.
DISCLAIMER: This is not an article intended to bash my former sorority, this is an article to inform girls of things I failed to realize before joining a sorority and to give them an idea of what sorority life is like to see if it's for them.
1. Rush week is just as stressful as everyone makes it out to be.
Think about it: seven days, hours of making small talk trying to impress every girl you encounter, all while trying to walk like a normal human being in your 5 inch heels.
2. Rush week is not for the thin-skinned.
Going into rush week, I had no idea that sororities could drop me in the blink of an eye. Remember that if your favorite sorority drops you on one of the nights, it is not the end of the world, and another sorority will want you and all your amazing personality traits.
3. Being in a sorority is a much bigger commitment than TV makes it out to be.
While sororities do hold fun events throughout the school year such as socials and grab-a-dates, there are many obligations that girls fail to realize before joining a sorority. Philanthropy events, weekly chapter meetings, etc.
4. It can leave a huge financial dent in your wallet.
While you do get insight before actually joining the sorority on how much it will cost, many girls, including myself, looked past that during rush week. Once the dues come in, they add up quickly, and can really leave a mark in your bank account.
5. These girls will be your new friend circle, and you might forget about some of your old ones you made before rush week.
During my time being a sorority girl, I did feel an obligation to make a lot of friends in my sorority. While I was wrapped up in spending so much time making my new friend group, I failed to realize I was leaving some of my non-sorority friends behind. While I do encourage you to make as many friends as possible in your sorority, remember to keep in touch with your old ones. Maybe invite your non-sorority friends to one of your socials!
6. You have a new reputation to maintain.
You and your sorority don't want to be known as, "the (insert sorority name here) that threw up everywhere at the party." When you join a sorority, there is a positive image you have to maintain in order to hold a good name for the sorority, and the girls in it.
7.There is a GPA requirement for every sorority.
Some people do tend to stereotype sorority girls as dumb, but in every sorority there is a GPA requirement to remain in good standing. If you do not meet these, there will be consequences.
8. If sorority life isn't for you, there are other ways to make a lifelong group of friends.
While many people revert to Greek life as their one and only option of meeting girls on campus, there are so many other clubs and organizations every school has to offer that will get you just as close with people. While some girls love Greek life, sorority life is not for everyone, and nobody should feel like it is.
Wrapping up, I did not hate my sorority at all. I had other reasons for dropping my sorority that had nothing to do with them, but one big one was that it was just not for me. I am still in close touch with some of the girls in my sorority, and I do not blame my sorority for my feelings towards it.
Greek life truly is an acquired taste. Some people will love it for life, and for others, it's just another club on campus.
