If you had asked me in high school what I was looking for in a college, I would have said a medium-sized campus, staying pretty close to home, and having my major were enough requirements for me. That is basically how I ended up at my current school, The University of Vermont. Joining a sorority was not even remotely on my mind when applying to colleges.
Even within the first couple weeks of school, I was only considering going out for recruitment (even though I had no clue what I was in for). I found myself learning more and more about sororities, between asking friends at other schools and people around campus. It wasn't until the last day of registration that I called my mom up asking if I could give recruitment a try; and I am so thankful I did.
I was very involved and busy in high school, and I have found that a lot of the aspects of being in a sorority have been similar to the friendships and bonds with teammates I made throughout. I played sports all while I was growing up at home, but when coming to college, I found that I would not have the time or ability to continue playing them. After a couple weeks of school had passed, I still had not joined anything on campus, and found the perfect opportunity through recruitment. I was definitely not prepared for all the chanting, and walking, and talking with hundreds of girls I did not know, but that is exactly what made it all fun.
As stereotypical as it sounds, I really did find my "Home Away from Home" on bid day. I remember opening my bid and running to my new-found home in Kappa Alpha Theta almost a year ago. I moved a few states away from home to an entirely new place where I knew no one. I came to school to learn, but I also found people who I have become incredibly close with. These people have become my family; my sisters.
I know I will always have a sister to lean on during the stress of homework and exams. There is always someone willing to suffer in the library until midnight with. There is most likely going to be another Theta in one of my classes, which always helps tremendously when it comes to studying. If I had not joined a sorority, I would have never had these opportunities to help my school career grow.
One thing I hate however, is the "look" I always get from people, friends and family included, when I say I am in a sorority. It almost hurts when I get judged by others for being in an organization with 90 other wonderful girls. The stigma around sororities has been so negatively represented by the media, which causes the looks I seem to get by people. But those looks are exactly why I stand tall with pride for Kappa Alpha Theta.
