When people think of college they tend to quickly associate it with the crazy frat parties and sorority girls that go wild, and I am here to debunk that theory.
Greek life is more academic based, though I'm sure there are plenty of different oriented groups, the one that I want to address in particular was not focused on letting loose all the time. They are a supportive group of women who truly deserve their recognition.
Last Fall semester, I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and try new things on campus to make new friends. My aunt and uncle were both legacies, so why not? I went through rush week, and I barely made it through that because I had a lot of time constraints, and a plethora of scheduling conflicts. Though, someone suggested that I write a letter to the sororities that I did not get to visit, introduce myself and relay some information, and somehow it miraculously worked. I got invited back to check out some sororities. I was already a nervous wreck going through, but I found a home. They said you would know, and you would just feel so welcomed... and I did. I accepted my new home and I made many friends in doing so. I became friends with so many people that I did not ever think was possible.
I tried it, but over a long period of time I just did not like it anymore.
When it came down to my priorities, they were the last one on the list, and it was not fair to them if I couldn't pull my weight as a diligent member. They deserved that much. I am not one to settle, so this was a huge step for me. I felt like I was dragging along and I did not like going to meetings or social events anymore. I stopped caring. I loved the group and everything it stood for, but I just did not feel fulfilled, and it did not feel like a home to me anymore.
Due to my "impeccable" timing and long contemplation, I decided to terminate my membership the day before initiation. They were not mad, and they truly understood my reasoning. I could not make the time for them that they deserved as an organization, and I felt it was the right thing to do. I am still in contact with all of the girls that impacted me, and I still join their group in the library. They are the definition of what Greek life should look like, and had I not gone through rush and attempted to join the sorority for life, I wouldn't have ever met some of my best friends that I have today.
Don't be afraid to try new things even if it scares you. Stepping out of the comfort zone can be very epiphanizing to what works and does not work for you, and that is okay if it goes either way for you.
