There is this invigorating time in a high school seniors life, when they go on their first college tour. They imagine walking around campus, mingling with their peers and sipping on coffee at their campus cafe. Many times we imagine what it would be like to study outside in the quad, meet up with friends and have that sense of independence.

I remember this time very well, now moving into my senior year of college, I yearn to go back to the start of college. No matter what campus, each time I visited, I had one simple question for the campus tour guide. "Do you have Greek life?" Sometimes the tour guide would smile and tell me that they were Greek and that it was a great experience I should look into, and other times my question was not as welcomed, and gave shift of uncomfortable glances.

The thing is, ever since I was a teenager I knew I wanted to be in a sorority. My family is a part of Greek life, and they expressed how it changed their whole college experience. There was something about Greek life that instantly drew me in. Maybe it was the sense of family and belonging, maybe it was the rumors that surrounded Greek life, or maybe it stemmed from my desire to get involved. Either way, when I went off to college I had one thing in the back of my mind.

It may come as a surprise, but I didn't join a sorority my freshman year. My freshmen year of college was actually really hard. For the first time in my life, I didn't feel like I fit in. Anywhere.

Until my one roommate, freshman year, told me to come out with her to a "meet the sisters event" for one of the organizations on campus. My eyes lit up and instantly, I searched my closet for the right outfit. I was ecstatic. Maybe, finally, my chance to meet people and have a connection.

Well, I didn't exactly fall in love with those girls. Actually, I don't even think we went back to any of their events. And I was devastated.

As sophomore year started up in the fall, I decided to put myself out there. I was determined to find that "family" in Greek life. I tried my best to do recruitment 100 percent. I went around to almost all the organizations and met as many of the girls I could and they were nice enough. Sure, all these girls were sweet and seemed interested, but it just wasn't there for me. I didn't feel like I truly connected, and I could see myself as a part of their organization. Something about being in a sea of girls was not for me.

Until I met my sorority: Sigma Delta Phi. A local sorority at Montclair State University.

That being said, I seem to get asked this question a lot, “why did you join a local sorority?”

Well, other than my undying love for my sisters, and how much fun they are, they were not very large in size. They just seemed like the type of people I could get along with, without the pressure to be something I was not. When I met these girls, it was like trying on a wedding dress, when you know it’s the one. It just fits.

One of the biggest reasons I joined a local sorority was the size of the chapter. When I was going through the new member intake process I got to know every sister very well, and the other girls going on this journey with me.

The smaller number was always an amazing opportunity to get to know everyone on a deep personal level. I would never see a girl walking around campus with my letters I did not know. (or anywhere really). Also, since we are a smaller scaled organization, there is a lot of opportunity to stay close with our alumni, and learn from them. The alumni of my organization are always there for guidance, and support. Also, they have the best stories.

We have a lot of traditions that are close to our hearts, and I have wonderful crafts that have been passed down to me from the start of my tree (or family as some may call it) that gives me a sense of connection to the women in my organization before me.

Community service and philanthropy are still core values and we take it very seriously. Being a part of a local organization, you have a duty to give back to the community you belong to.

Being in a smaller organization has allowed me to really find who I am, and take up more leadership roles than I might have been able to if I was in a bigger organization. I have learned a lot by watching everyone put so much effort into helping an organization grow, and sometimes its not an easy task.

While my list can go on for days, of how much I love my organization, those are really big reasons I chose to go local.

Whether you decide to go after a local, national, multicultural, or academic Greek organization, you will get back a lot more than you put in. You will gain friends, family, and a sense of belonging, as well as some pretty great experiences. I am not sure what my college experience would be like if I did not join Greek life.

And if I could, I would go back and do it all over again.