Let's face it, Greek life does not have the best reputation nowadays. Many people are under the impression that girls only go through recruitment and pledge a sorority to be able to party and meet lots of frat boys. I can tell you from experience, this is not the case. Sororities and fraternities offer so much more than a social life.
Greek organizations were created for people who shared similar values could come together and create better futures for themselves and their friends. From going through recruitment to pledging a sorority, I have learned many valuable lessons and have created so many memories that I would not have gotten had I not been interested in becoming a part of the Greek system.
Genuine Friends
Joining a sorority was of the best decisions I have made. When people tell you, "You'll make friends that last a lifetime," they're not lying. The purpose of rushing is that it's a time for you to feel out what house gives off the kind of vibe you see yourself relating to the most. So when you pledge a sorority along with other girls who are also interested in that house, you will most likely have some of the same qualities you do or share common interests. Making genuine friends is inevitable if you stay true to yourself and pick a house that you feel most comfortable in.
Philanthropy
The Greek system also allows you to get involved in your school and community. Philanthropy is a major part of any sorority or fraternity organization. Each chapter usually has a specific charity that is special to them and is the main cause of their fundraising. Community service is also required when being apart of a Greek organization. By joining a sorority, I've grown to love getting involved and giving back.
Academics
Another misinterpretation of the Greek life is that all we do is go to parties and we could care less about school. This is completely wrong. If anything, being a part of a sorority has helped me with my education. There's always someone who has the same major as you and will be taking the same classes. This makes study groups, going to class and completing assignments overall, easier when you have other people to do it with. Not to mention each sorority usually has a GPA requirement that must be met by each member.
Connections
After graduating, alumni members always keep in touch with their organization. Alums love nothing more than helping out fellow brothers or sisters and this comes in handy when you are looking for an internship that will eventually become a career. You have someone who was in the same position you were in that will come and tell you about how they got to a place you could see yourself in the future. The connections your fraternity or sorority offer are extremely helpful for after graduating or just to bond over things they used to do when they were an active member. Alumni love to reminisce about the old days.
Without joining a sorority, I would have never met and made friends with the people I am so lucky to have met in college. Being able to get involved in my community and school has been an added bonus too. So despite what you may hear, Greek life is not just about boozing. It's about connecting with people with similar interests and doing something positive for yourself, your academics and the community around you.
