I know people aren't going to like what I have to say, but that's fine. I am not bashing Greek life. What I'm doing is simple: I'm saying that I wish this world that I have come to be a part of, would hold itself to the standards that we were founded on. I know it isn't a bad place and there are some very genuine and wonderful people here. This place has brought me so many friends, so many memories, and has given me so much life. I will forever be thankful to Greek life for giving me my home, I just want it to be everything that I always dreamed of it being.

As time goes on, I become more and more disappointed with Greek life. I hate how everything is a popularity contest, I hate how little people actually care for one another, and I hate how it has made me feel. After rushing last spring, I never thought in a million years that something that makes me so happy could make me feel so sad. Within this past year, I have discovered what it feels like to not be a “top" house and it sucks. There have been certain instances where I have never felt so bad about myself because I wasn't in the clique that a certain fraternity wanted. It shouldn't matter if I'm a "top" house or not because I love my sorority, but I can't help but let it get to me.

I can see why people bash Greek life so much; it isn't all that it's cracked up to be. With the popularity contests, the cliques and the superficial stereotypes, there isn't that much to love. Really, I don't think I've ever felt more insecure. In middle school, junior high and high school, I was one of the "cool kids," and the time I spent not as one of the cool kids was one of the worst times of my life. When you aren't “in" you feel awful, not just about yourself, but about everything. You start comparing yourself to everything and everyone, questioning every aspect of your life and every aspect of your existence. You think that when you go to college that will all go away and you can start fresh. For some people, that is very true, but for others, the need for attention and acceptance is just beginning. In college, everything is bigger, better and more real. You rush a fraternity or sorority in hopes for finally feeling a part of something. For some though, you'll find that you've never felt more left out.

We have Panhellenic Pride week, Greek week and all of our philanthropies. At these events, we pretend that we all get along, and that we're all one big family, but that couldn't be further from the truth. You see another sorority and you immediately judge them, compare them to yourselves and find something wrong with them, so you can explain why you're better than them on Greek Rank. If we're “top" houses then we hate other “top" houses, and if we aren't “top" houses then we hate all “top" houses, and houses that are below us on this completely biased and evil ranking site. I could be getting this all wrong in my assumption that this is the relationship that exists within Greek life, but from what I have seen, it's pretty accurate.

So, why do we all take part in it then? Honestly, because we like it. We like being a part of something, we like having a group and we like the meaning behind Greek life. The foundation is beautiful, it's the corruption and immaturity that isn't. I feel like the girl from Mean Girls who says that she wishes she could bake a cake with unicorns and butterflies, creating a place where everyone gets along. Like her, I know that it's human nature for people to not get along. What I can't seem to wrap my mind around is how we can be so mean to one another. So what if a girl isn't a size 2 and isn't in a "top" house, she wants to dance with you and she deserves to be treated like a decent human being.

The more I think about it, the more I've realized how this world could destroy someone—the judging, the ranking, the expectations, they're all the exact opposite of what this community says it stands for. It's hard going places where you know you're going to be sized up from the moment you walk in the door. Greek life is supposed to be about making friends and building relationships, but instead it has turned into a way for guys to hook up with drunk girls easily because really, who can't resist a fraternity guy?

For those who don't care about the popularity contests and the attention, bravo. I have no idea how you do it. For those who don't fit the accusations I am making, bravo to you as well. I know it's hard when you have your certain favorite houses, and it's exciting to hang out with smoking hot people, but maybe we should remember what it means to be a real life person - a person with feelings, goals and aspirations. Life isn't all about being physically attractive and hanging out with these people, it's about integrity, compassion and relationships.

Perhaps Greek life should take a step back and remember what those words mean. Luckily for me, I have found a house that not only has integrity, compassion, and relationships but a house that is now my home. The feeling my house gives me is something that I couldn't give up in a million years. They make me want to stand up for them, letting them know there's more to life than popularity and a rank on a self served website.