As clichéd and corny as it sounds, college is where most people truly discover who they are. For many incoming freshmen, entering college brings about the possibility of having his or her entire world flipped upside down. Stepping out of the role of “top dog” of the school as a senior to becoming a “lowly” freshman in a new location can have a serious effect on many people.
As a result of this quest for personal discovery, students have the option of taking multiple routes offered in college to obtain what they’re truly seeking. The number of clubs, intramural teams, jobs, fraternities, sororities, and other pastimes offered in college is seemingly endless. The beauty of college is that no longer are you under the general jurisdiction of parental guidance, so it’s time for you to really find out who you are and how you see yourself in this new light.
When I first came to college, my opinions drastically changed. I had spent most of my high school senior year focused on that moment when I would leave my home state, make a name for myself elsewhere, and experience opportunities I never had while at home. Once reality sank in when I moved in, I was a bit uneasy. Although I quickly made friends at school, I still felt there was something missing. I wanted to become a part of something much bigger than myself; something that not only I would be proud of, but so would my family.
I sat in my room one day and began to brainstorm. What was it that I could do or join, to fill that missing void? I wasn’t interested in the clubs offered, I was mediocre at best at basketball, and the other group-related activities just didn’t appeal to me. There had to be something, I just knew it.
Life never seems to fail with providing interesting turns of events. Sometimes you meet someone, you do something, or a light turns on in your head that can change your entire perspective.
The first day of class, I met someone who did just that. Turns out I had to venture to school 500 miles away from home, to meet one of my closest friends who I found out lived no more than 20 minutes away from me at home. And frankly, if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be where I am today; a brother.
I’m only speaking from personal experience, so by no means am I trying to sway anyone’s opinion. However, I can whole-heartedly say that joining Greek life has been the best decision thus far of my collegiate career. A fraternity has not only showed me the values of brotherhood and camaraderie, but it has given me leadership qualities and a greater sense of direction than I ever could have imagined.
What’s most interesting about joining a fraternity is the reason behind everyone’s motives. Sure, some are in it for the looks and outgoing scene, but some are in it to become better versions of themselves and evolve and stretch their values and morals. On a personal level, the fraternity filled that missing void for me and provided me with friends in places located all over the country.
Being a brother of a fraternity has made me realize how essential organizational and communicative skills are when dealing with a large group of people. It has shown me that to direct people in an efficient and proper manner, you must be a leader, not a manager. Not to mention, I have taken on a tremendous amount of responsibility by holding various positions, and accepting nothing other than perfection in my fraternity leadership work and duties.
I’m not here to tell you to join or to not join a fraternity or sorority, but I will tell all those who are reading this that don’t listen to the stigmas. The proverbial, “don’t judge a book by its cover” is more than appropriate for this topic. I’m neither oblivious nor ignorant; I know how the media portrays Greek life. But stereotyping an entire group is blasphemous and just ill-informed. I think everything and everyone deserves a chance, and Greek life is a prime example.
