At the University of Washington, a large number of Greek, and some non-Greek, women live-in at a fraternity over the summer. Surprising to some, it’s more common than not for a woman to live-in at some point in her college career. For some, the decision to live-in is easy. For others, the decision can be rather challenging. Now, past the halfway point of summer for Greek women, I will share what I see as the pros and cons of living in at a fraternity over the summer.
Pros:
When you live-in, you have more responsibilities and usually have a lighter schedule than during the school year, so you experience your roommates at their relaxed, nothing-to-do highs, and their stressed-out, adult-life lows. You spend countless hours just sitting around together, which gives you time to learn everything you never wanted to know about your friends.
- You can easily make friends with the members of the fraternity.
You can walk into anyone’s room just to hang out, go to the beach, play volleyball…etc. For once, getting to know fraternity members doesn’t have to involve alcohol, at least not all the time.
- You become friends with women from other sororities.
It can be difficult to meet women in other sororities at UW because freshmen move in on Bid Day and are instantly immersed in their chapter’s events. Living in gives you the opportunity to become friends with women in other chapters and spread the Panhellenic love.
- Parties aren’t gross and sweaty.
Most parties are singles, so the party room doesn’t smell of sweat and beer…at least not as much.
- You finally get to dress to theme at parties.
Dressing to theme is actually one of the best parts of living in. A “Why is This in my Closet” party, a Country Club party, and a “Gym Bros and Yoga Hoes” themed party where you don’t even have to wear going-out clothes.
- More freedom.
Sororities have boy hours, alcohol-free premises rules, and rules against shacking. Fraternities are much more relaxed.
- Guys are easy to live with.
They don’t react to drama and they confront problems immediately. Simple.
Cons:
- Fraternities are dirty.
Sororities have a house keeper and a chef while fraternities don’t. My point is made.
- You drink a lot.
There are weeks when you might only go a single day sober. Your tolerance goes up so it takes more alcohol to get drunk.
- You gain weight from drinking.
Your new, higher tolerance means you’re consuming more alcohol and therefore more calories.
- You lose weight from under eating.
Making your own food is hard, so sometimes you just don’t bother.
- You see your roommates too much.
With the lighter schedule that often comes with summer, you see your roommates so often that you become easily annoyed by them. But you’ll still love them in the end. But make sure to give yourself a healthy amount of space according to your comfort level.
Deciding to live in is a personal choice, but it is an experience you'll never forget.
