Before you came to college, you stalked all of the sorority's Instagram accounts. You found girls in that sorority and tried to stalk them as well, wanting a glimpse into the lives that you thought were exciting and glamorous. You wanted sisterhood and fun trips, to stay up late, and to find your best friends. You signed up for recruitment with the confidence that you would find your home and undeniable, solid happiness for the next four years.
You came to school and for the first week, you saw nothing but beautiful, hair-never-falling-out-of-place, well-manicured, friendly girls. If this is what Greek life is about, then it is definitely something you want to be a part of.
You start recruitment and you go from house to house. Everyone is so nice and speaks about not only the qualities of their chapter, but the qualities of the Panhellenic community. You probably heard: "I have friends in every chapter" or "we support everyone here at South," "Greek life here is awesome and nice and friendly and the list goes on and on." Wow! This is definitely a place I want to be. I love everyone and want to be in a place that loves everyone as well!
Then, bid day rolls around and you are excited to be at your new home. Everyone is still nice, because, well.... no one has had a reason to be mean just yet. But then, the first philanthropy competition starts, and things start to get ugly. Are you supposed to act like the girls being mean, or do you stay true to yourself? Do you participate in the sabotage of another sorority, or do you work on bettering yourself and your chapter?
Why? Why are girls so consumed with winning that they would do anything to win... even sacrifice their personal character and the character of their chapter as well? Why would you say rude things about someone in another sorority to make yourself appear better, when in reality it makes you appear jealous and lonesome?
I honestly think things need to change. The time for this passed a while back. And for this change to take place, it starts with older sisters. We have to carry ourselves as the person we wanted to be seen as when we went through recruitment. Nice, respectful, and wanting the best for everyone. Not mean, catty, and jealous. If we don't carry ourselves in a way that we want our new girls to carry themselves, then the cycle will continue.
So to everyone involved in Panhellenic, be nice. It's really not that hard, and it makes you a happier person all around. We get judged enough for being mean and stuck-up, so let's not make that reputation we all hate a reputation that is true.
Have an awesome year, ladies.
