I hate to be that cliché sorority girl that goes on and on about how being in a sorority has empowered her, but unfortunately, I’m about to be that girl. To be completely honest, I was skeptical about joining a sorority. It all seemed kind of fake to me (I mean, do they really run with their sisters in fields while wearing cute dresses and then blow glitter in to the wind normally?). Yet, I heard people go on and on about how much it had helped them grow as a person. I decided I’d go through recruitment but I was still skeptical because I didn’t want to let my sorority become my identity; I didn’t want it to be my life. After a year of being in a sorority, I can happily say my sorority isn’t my life. While I do not eat, breathe and sleep my sisterhood, I do have a lot of respect for it, and it has helped me grow.

The truth is, if I hadn’t joined my sorority, I probably wouldn’t even be writing this article. Despite the fact that I love writing and have always written, I never told anyone that, or shared any of the stuff I wrote. I thought it was kind of weird, or that people would think it was. On top of that, I have never been a fan of sharing my personal thoughts (look at me now).

During my freshman year, one of my sisters proofread some of my essays and she told me she enjoyed reading what I wrote and that I should apply for the Odyssey. My first thought was “no way,” but after a little more thought, I decided I’d apply. About three weeks later, I got the job and my first article was published a week later. A year ago, if you had told me I’d be writing this article, I would have laughed.

It’s not just about the writing, it’s about finally having the confidence to unapologetically be myself. I have insecurities, but who doesn’t? For a long time though, I allowed them to stop me from doing the things I loved or going after what I wanted because I was so scared of what people would think and that I wouldn’t be good enough.

Then I joined a sorority and all of a sudden I had one of the biggest support systems I have ever had. My sisters are my biggest fans; they are the first to congratulate me, first to comfort me when I fail at something, first to help me get back up again and also the first to like and comment on my pictures, so shout out to all my sistas for that.

They also do not allow me to be an ounce less than what I could be. They encourage me, they push me out of my comfort zone and they don’t allow me to sit back and miss the opportunities I’m presented with because I’m scared.

I have met some very inspiring women I’m lucky to call my sisters. Especially my Big. She has played a huge role in the growth I’ve experienced this past year. She has a confidence I wish I could have, she isn’t afraid to go after things, she is never sorry for being who she is and she owns everything she is. In a word, she’s awesome.

I’m not going to sit here and tell you joining a sorority was the best decision I’ve ever made (though it was a good one) or that I owe everything I am to my sisterhood (though it played a large role in that aspect). However, I have grown because of it. I have gained another support system, and I have gained countless women who I look up to because they are accomplishing amazing things. Joining a sorority hasn’t hurt my college experience, it hasn’t made it negative, it hasn’t prevented me from meeting other people, and it hasn’t been anything I was afraid it was going to be. It has given me so much that really can’t be measured, and I’m happy that a year ago I decided to go through recruitment.