Before I came to college, I swore I would NEVER join a sorority. That all changed the day I went to "Meet the Sororities" with my best friend.

Greek life gets a bad reputation, especially when movies show the girls running around drinking, smoking and being demeaning towards others. I was terrified of those girls!! I will be the first to tell you, MOVIES ARE NOT REAL LIFE.

Joining a sisterhood has taught me so many things and brought an abundance of joy to my life. I have learned how to depend on the help of others, how to unconditionally love, and how to lead while working with a team.

My sisters always have my back and support me with any decision, no matter how extreme, I make. Planning on going on a Mission Trip the whole way across the country? They support me. Have a crazy future dream that I am dead set on? They push me closer to success. Forget my student I.D. and wallet? One of them will buy me lunch for the day without hesitation. My sisters are always looking out for me, as I am always looking out for them.

I was scared to join a sorority. I was scared because the only thing I knew about them was that they were "cliques." I was so WRONG! One of my best friends is in a different sorority, I have lunch and dinner with girls in a separate sorority, and some of my biggest supporters joined other sisterhoods, as well. Yes, your chapter is a family, but Greek life as a whole is one BIG family.

So, I know you are wondering, what is the best thing about Greek life? My answer would be the philanthropy work. Each sorority is different with what they choose to do, but that is the best part. WE. ARE. ALL. DIFFERENT. Passionate about children's hospitals? Do you like to help those that survived (or unfortunately did not survive) domestic or sexual violence? Eager to get involved helping people with speech and hearing impairments? There is a home for everyone, and within these homes are philanthropies near and dear to everyone's hearts.

Don't think Greek life is for you? I can understand the misinterpretations that you may have, but hear me out. It is more than what you see in the movies. It is more than what your "friends" think they are. Do some research for yourself. Look at what sororities (or fraternities if you're a male) are on your campus and see what their philanthropies are. Reach out and ask questions. Most importantly, keep an open mind.

Without my amazing [Sigma Sigma Sigma] sisters, I would be living a crazy and boring college life.