If you are reading this article, chances are that you either are on the fence about joining a sorority, or you absolutely do not want any part of joining one. I am not asking you to join one, but I am begging you to just go through recruitment, and see if you change your mind. If you are violently shaking your head, and thinking that it is definitely not for you, just know that I understand. I was in your shoes my freshman year of college.
When I first joined college, being in a sorority was the absolute last thing I wanted. I wanted to "find my friends the right way, not buy them." I made friends and had plenty of people to hang out with, but I lost touch with a lot of them over the summer, or I realized that we didn't fully "click."
My sophomore year, one of the few friends that I had kept went through recruitment. I wanted to go through it with her, but decided against it the last minute. I was afraid that I would be picked on, since I wasn't exactly preppy or sorority material. I watched my friend join, and she seemed so happy, and always had something to do. She ended up transferring, and although we stayed in touch, it wasn't the same. She was one of my only friends, and I felt lost without her. She begged me to at least try going through recruitment.
So there I was, sitting in Sorority 101, trying as hard as I could to fit in with everyone else. I straightened my hair for the first time in months, and I had on my Rainbow flip flips, hoping that they were as acceptable as Jack's. After hearing what kind of outfits I would need for the next few days, I cringed, knowing that I owned none of those, meanwhile, everyone else seemed like their closet was full of options. I texted my best friend pictures of my closet, hoping that I could pull together some outfits for what I had.
The first night of meeting all of the sororities, I fit right in, mostly because everyone was wearing the same shirt. I fell in love with a particular sorority, but I still felt like I would not get a bid from them. Everyone was so kind, and I loved their philanthropy, but I still felt like my level of preppiness would not match up to how they looked.
The next night, I was in my flats, while everyone else was in their heels. I got along with everyone and started feeling more and more comfortable with them personality-wise, but I still felt that I would not fully fit in. I wished that I had worn something better than a plain orange romper and some sandals, and I wasn't expecting to get asked back.
On the final night of recruitment, I was sitting in the room with the sorority I liked, and I realized that I really liked these girls, and that I would do whatever it took to be able to hang out with them, even if it meant changing who I was. I mentally said good-bye to wearing my hair wavy, and I said good-bye to sleep, for I was sure that I would have to wake up an hour earlier to make sure that I looked good when I went to class.
Not long after I had decided this, I started my final conversation with one of the girls. I do not exactly remember how the conversation even began, but it ended up with her telling me that as a member of this sorority, you are loved for who you are. You are not expected to change a single thing about yourself. My eyes suddenly widened.
"Wait," I said. "So, I'm not expected to straighten my hair and dress up for class every day?"
"Oh my goodness, no," she said. "If you want to dress up, by all means, do. But I know a lot of us who put on sweats and wear our hair in a bun. I would rather sleep in than get dressed up for class."
And suddenly in that moment, I really felt it. I felt my love for this sorority grow, and I really wanted to be a part of something so amazing. I got along with everyone just great, and knowing that could still be myself was what I really wanted. I wanted to spend the rest of my time in college with them, and I wanted to create life-long friendships.
The next day, I received my bid from the sorority I wanted, and I accepted it without hesitation. I ran home shortly after, and I couldn't wait for the new chapter in my life to begin.
It has been almost a year since I ran home, and I am so glad that I did. I realized that the reason why there is a fee to join a sorority is to pay for all of the activities and events that they host, and the money is so worth it, in my opinion. I cannot imagine my life without the support system that I have. I have grown and matured a lot in this past year, but ultimately I am still my same old self. I still do not own a pair of Jack's, and no one cares, because I am loved for being myself.
So, I am begging you to just try going through recruitment. I understand that it is not for everyone, but it is at least worth trying. I found my home, and I hope you will too. I am not asking you to join the same sorority as me, because you may find a different one that matches your personality more. I am asking you to simply try, because you have no idea how much your life can change by going Greek.