Ten days ago, I moved into a mansion with almost 100 other girls my age, an experience that not many of my peers get the chance to experience during their four years away at their respective universities. While going through formal recruitment as a sophomore, I hadn't planned on living in my chapter's sorority house, at all. It wasn't until talking to girls in the pledge classes above mine, combined with my mom's stories of late night chats and non-stop bonding that I considered giving it a chance. In the week and a half that I have been a resident of Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Gamma chapter's house, I have learned a lot of surprising things.

1. There's drama...but not THAT much drama

I would never assume that girls are more dramatic than boys, or that a house full of sisters would somehow have more problems than a fraternity house of brothers because that's sexist...but I did think that this many people in one house would be tense. Sure, we've all snapped at each other a couple times and there has been a fair share of yelling, BUT at the end of the day, we've all chalked it up to exhaustion, forgiven, forgotten, and gone to sleep.

2. No one thinks cares how you look

Day 1: "Oh my gosh, I hope I don't run into anyone in the hallway in my towel!!!" Now: *has full conversation while changing* Honestly, no one thinks that your legs are too jiggly or that you look like a zombie without mascara on because they're too busy worrying about their own insecurities or, better yet, worrying about things that actually matter.

3. Silence is true comfort

There's something oddly comforting about hanging out and not feeling like you have to put on any act or front, no talking, just quiet time. You already get enough conversation from talking to PNM's (Potential New Members) all day and it's nice to share a room and house with other people that understand that. Sure, sometimes we're only quiet because the recruitment chairs have screamed us into submission over the past week but even then the silence is never awkward.

4. Giggles are contagious

Once one person starts laughing about something, the whole room will undoubtedly dissolve into a fit of hysteric laughter, snorting, and maybe even tears. Sometimes you're the one who starts the chain reaction, sometimes you're the one rolling your eyes, but normally you're somewhere in between.

5. Dorms seem lonely

After knowing every single person, on every single floor, in every single room of the building I live in, I can't imagine going back to nervously passing strangers in the hall and avoiding eye contact. There is always something going on, someone talking or watching tv or going to get food, and it's a relief to know that you'll never be sitting in bed wishing you had a reason to get up again.

Sure, to most people, it might seem insane to share a house with this many people, but my chapter house has already surpassed my expectations and I wouldn't have it any other way.