As sorority recruitment approaches for the new year, I look back on the time I actually believed I was going to be a sorority girl. I am not going to lie – I really wanted to be in one. When I thought about what my college experience would be like, being a sorority girl was a big part of it.
As a rising freshman, I thought to be in a sorority was my ticket into making friends, going to parties, and being involved on campus – I was so far from right. Little did I know, I would participate in sorority recruitment during my freshman year and drop out only two days in. Truthfully, I am so happy that it did not work out, because being a "GDI" made freshman year so much better for me.
Don't get me wrong – if joining a sorority was the best thing that ever happened to you, that is great! Some of my closest friends are involved in Greek life and they love it.
However, Greek life is not for me and that is okay. I got into every party, making tons of girlfriends was not a challenge, and I even got asked to a formal. Whether you are in a sorority or not will not make or break your social life in college.
I think we can all agree, the biggest fear we had going into your freshman year of college is that we wouldn't find our people and it would be so awkward being in a new place without your friends from home. Even if you are super shy, this is not the case. You will make friends very quickly in college and you do not need a sorority to do so.
I moved eight hours away from the only place I ever knew as home, not knowing anybody. I did not need the sorority letters to fit in and form great friendships. I could be whatever I wanted to be without others generalizing who I was based on the stereotypes attached to each sorority.
Once I decided to drop recruitment, my schedule freed up. I had the time to join whatever clubs I wanted to join and focus on my academics. But more importantly, the transition to my new home and life without the pressure of following sorority rules and pressures.
Like I said before, I have tons of friends that are involved in sororities. But, the majority of my friends, are not. They are athletes, they are honors students, they are whatever they want to be. They are all unique. They are not "un-cool" for not being in a sorority.
If you are a freshman girl reading this and you are deciding whether or not to rush, or have already decided on rushing this fall, keep in mind: being a part of a sorority has absolutely no effect on fitting in. You will not be excluded from having fun and enjoying your college experience, because you are not in Greek life.
Remember: this isn't high school, there is no such thing as the popular girls. Don't allow what others think and do dictate what you want and feel about yourself.
