When I was a wee little lass in the 4th grade, my sister went off to college and joined Alpha Alpha Alpha*. Ever since that young age, I was enamored by the fancy letters, pretty girls, and strong bonds of sisterhood. I wanted the same happiness my sister found for herself.
A few months ago, I joined a sorority of my own to follow in my sister's footsteps. She ultimately ended up dropping after a year due to "differences," but I never truly understood what she meant until I joined for myself.
I realized a bit too late that as someone who flowed against the current, my differences weren't celebrated, but instead, they were the reason I was picked apart.
Too weird. Too fat. Too loud. Too politically correct. Too outspoken. Too boring. Too feisty.
Do they have some truth to them? Of course. I'm a self-proclaimed, boring pug lady who prefers a quiet night at Marston reading VICE overpaying a bouncer $20 at Mid. I love carbs, making bad Tiller videos, and FaceTiming my boyfriend to watch Ratatouille.
I was not the typical sorority girl they wanted me to be, and although it may not be the fairest, I've learned to celebrate my own unique perspective on life instead of trying to fit a predefined mold.
That's not to say everything was terrible— I met some of the most incredible women there. Some of my highlights from freshman year involve my best friends I met through my chapter. These are the people who believe in me and support my passions and I'm forever grateful.
It took me a long time to decide to drop and an even longer time to write this. Both situations didn't come without tears, regret, and a whole lot of Maggie Rogers.
I guess the point I'm trying to make is that life goes on after you leave the shiny, pearly gates of greek life. In the SEC, it seems like the world revolves around who you know, what your letters are, and who's cooler you're painting.
I promise you that there's more to college than this.
So celebrate your differences, find your people. Be who you are and do what makes you happy.
I know I did.
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*Has been used to replace the name of an actual greek organization.
