A lot can be said about the 'typical' Greek Life community and for the most part, what you have all heard, is completely and utterly wrong. I know that now because I used to be a non-Greek Life member. I used to make fun of the stereotypes and believe the stories. Now, I'm a sister of Delta Zeta at Youngstown State University's Kappa Chi Chapter and I'm happy to say that it has been the best experience of my college career.

Entering this world of Greek Life is something I never expected to do and I never expected it to be this extraordinary.

When I came to YSU, I thought I would have a really amazing time. I was not a good high school student and I decided to buckle down. By the end of my first semester, I had an on campus job at a news outlet, a spot on the President's List, a membership in a few clubs and a handful of friends. A few semesters down the road, I added a few internships to that list but it was still not enough. As a junior, I realized that I wanted more.

A friend in my major had mentioned joining Greek Life to me before, I didn't take it seriously. I'll admit it, I laughed, I laughed a lot. I didn't take her idea seriously until I went to the opener of sorority recruitment events: recruitment tables. (Shout out to all the fraternity men in my life, you did not have to partake in the super formal, and scary, parts of sorority recruitment).

Long story short, it started with me in my fanciest blouse, a nice pair of black skinny jeans and boots I had shined that morning and ended by me going to the Delta Zeta sisters and telling them they should just pick me because I had already fallen in love with my soon to be sisterhood. Yes, I did tell them to pick me, and for some reason, they picked me back. Maybe it was love at first sight or fate.

Before that though, each chapter told me about their founders, philanthropy, GPA requirements, events they organized, friends they made and many other aspects I now have the opportunity share with other potential new members.

So after listening to each chapter pitch their sisterhood to me, I was completely dumbfounded. Yes, I had gut feelings towards certain chapters but it's a lot of information. It did however, make me want to go through formal recruitment.

Formal recruitment is a three day stretch. It's a lot of questions to ask and to answer. It will be overwhelming. You will be frustrated and stressed out and feel overly peppy. You will feel like you're speed dating. In my case and most, It was all worth it. In order to not spoil the surprise for any potential new members out there, I will spare you the details and simply say this: joining will change your life forever.

After ten weeks of getting to know my sisters and my new Greek community, I was finally able to wear my letters. It was finally my sisterhood. During that ten weeks I fell in love with friends that I now know are family. Now, I have the privilege to say that I'm a sister of Delta Zeta, that I am a Panhellenic woman and I am a member of YSU's Greek Life.

If you ask if I'm in a sisterhood I will nod my head with pride. When I see a chapter's accomplishments I will share their stories. I will hum my sorority's songs on my way to class and never miss the chance to chant with my sisters. I will wear my letters on my chest and back and wrist, (trust me, I have a lot of apparel). I will latch on my lavalier each morning. It's not something everything can, or will, understand. I will not apologize.

As a junior, I worry about tests, exams, deadlines, quizzes and graduation just like any other student. But I have over 30 sisters I can turn to with any problem. I have about 160 women, (Panhellenic women) that will understand what I'm going through. I also have 360 people, (total Greek Life members) that will know my name, most likely though, we're friends. I have a small town feel on a campus of over 14,000 students.

Joining Delta Zeta has changed my life forever. I have friends, in all chapters, who understand the importance of serving others, receiving good grades, taking on leadership positions and being there for one another. I have people to hang out with almost every night, not just the weekends. I have found shoulders to cry on and hands to hold when life gets hard. I have found my forever friends.

-Into the flame.