My sophomore year at the College of Charleston I decided to go through recruitment — otherwise known as rush. I reflected back on my freshman year and wanted to expand my friend group and also get involved with my school. I ended up pledging Phi Mu and found a place that seemed like home to me.

After a semester of being a Phi Mu, I realized I was not happy with myself and needed a change. The spring semester of my sophomore year, I dropped my sorority and sought to find myself through other avenues. It was a very difficult decision for me, but one that I look back on and I am happy that I made.

Now, as a senior, I see the other side of recruitment — the side that is not the prettiest. The side where college girls are wanting to find themselves, but not through Greek life. I want to tell you that you are not alone.

I have struggled and still continue to struggle as I watch my friends be involved in Greek life, and I am not. To be honest, many times I feel like an outsider — I feel like the only one that does not have letters that define me — I feel alone. But other times, I feel loved and accepted because I have found friends that love me despite me not representing the Greek community.

Whether you are a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior, there are always opportunities to find a group of people to become your lifelong friends. It certainly does not have to be through recruitment, but it certainly can.

I found my friends through my major. I have friends that struggle together through student teaching and laugh when it is all said and done. I have friends that are in sororities and friends that are not.

So, if you are the girl reading this and feeling alone or left out because you chose not to be involved with Greek life, I am right here with you. I will grab a coffee with you and talk through my experiences with you and be your shoulder to cry on.

It is completely okay to feel alone, but as a friend, I want to comfort you and tell you that it is okay. You will find friends or even just one friend that will love and support you no matter what!