No, I'm Not In A Sorority And No, I Don't Wish I Was

No, I'm Not In A Sorority And No, I Don't Wish I Was

Not being in a sorority does not mean I lack a close-knit group of friends or that I will miss out on any aspects of my college experience.

whitneyhicks
whitneyhicks May 16, 2019
708
views

It was a phenomenon that I didn't really realize that I'd encounter. As I prepared to start college and even for a while after I started, I was constantly asked if I was going to rush at LSU. I told them no, that it wasn't in my plan and I felt a slight judgment from many of the people with which I had this conversation.

I understand where their judgment is coming from. From my high school, I would guess that over 80% of the girls going to LSU were planning on rushing and being in a sorority. However, I knew that being in a sorority was simply not my thing, and that's okay.

I knew I wanted to dedicate myself to organizations that would help further my career in mass communication and give me as much real-world experience as possible. I also wanted to surround myself with people who were interested in the same career path as I was.

In college, there are countless communities you can be a part of that aren't Greek Life, and these communities can fulfill you just as much, if not more than being in a sorority.

I'm fortunate enough to be a part of the Manship School of Mass Communication where the small college size makes it feel more like a close-knit community. The advisors and professors know you by name and genuinely care about the success of their students.

I also knew that I wanted to be a part of LSU Student Media before I started my first semester. I was very fortunate to begin working at The Reveille my first semester and find a community there.

There are so many ways to have a fun and fulfilling college experience that doesn't include socials and formals and philanthropy fundraisers. Don't knock someone else's college experience just because it doesn't mirror yours.

For some people, Greek Life simply isn't their cup of tea, so don't assume they are missing out or will regret it.

whitneyhicks
whitneyhicks May 16, 2019
At Louisiana State University

Popular Right Now

The ABCs Of Greek Life

Greek Life From A to Z
Georgia Gallagher
Georgia Gallagher Jun 12, 2017
3162
views

When you enter into Greek life, it's like having to learn a whole new language, but it's a language that everyone comes to love. So here's the Greek alphabet, from Alpha Chi to Zeta.

A is for Alum

The members of our chapter who have graduated. These members are a range of ages and can participate in all kinds of alumna events.

B is for Bid Day

The best day of the year when our chapters get to accept a new pledge class of members.

C is for Chapter

Our weekly meetings where we learn about sisterhood and philanthropy events, date parties, etc., as well as take care of any sort of chapter business.

D is for Date Parties

Some of the best nights of the year are getting dressed up with your friends and your dates and attending date parties.

E is for Executive Board

The people that make the chapter run smoothly. The chapter wouldn't function without your president, VP, finance, standards, etc.

F is for Fried Friday

The best day of the week at the house. When the chefs cook up chicken, mozzarella sticks, fried pickles, french fries, corn dogs, fried mac n cheese, fried corn, fried green tomatoes and whatever else your heart desires.

G is for Greek Week

One of the most competitive and most fun weeks of the year. Spent playing dodgeball, whiffle ball, doing dance-offs, and more!

H is for Hand Sign

No matter what sign it is, we love to throw what we know!

I is for Initiation

The day that we get to cross from new member to active member of our chapter.

J is for Just Here So I Don't Get Fined

As much as we love to hang out with our sisters, sometimes life gets in the way and we wish we had more free time. Sometimes we're only attending an event so that we don't get fined.

K is for Kick-Off

Of course, all college students love football but game day is something special when you're Greek. From getting ready with your sisters to eating at the house to tailgating with the fraternities, it's all a part of the game day experience when you're Greek.

L is for Letters

Our identity within the Greek community.

M is for Mom

Our house mom can never take the place of our real mom but she is great for lending an ear and helping solve any issues that come up within the sorority.

N is for Norts

Part of the "sorority girl uniform." We can't get enough of our Nike shorts

O is for Organized

With constantly running between classes, chapter meetings, and other events, you become extremely organized when you join a Greek organization.

P is for Philanthropy

One of the biggest reasons many people choose to go Greek. We love to spend our time, money and energy towards a cause that's close to our heart such as Ronald McDonald House, Make a Wish Foundation and CASA.

Q is for Queso

Okay, maybe a bit of a stretch but it's true! Ordering Fuzzy's to the sorority house or going out to eat at Moe's or Chuy's are not uncommon activities. We love chips and queso!

R is for Recruitment

The craziest week of the year where the chapter decides which PNM's would be the best fit for the chapter and new members run home to your chapter at the end of the week!

S is for Sisterhood

What a sorority is really all about. The friends you make in your sorority are some of the most interesting and genuine girls you'll meet!

T is for T-Shirt Tuesday

The one weeknight that tons of people go out. Whether you're at Harry's bar or Rounders, T-shirt Tuesday is sure to be a blast.

U is for Unique Experience

No two people have the same experience with Greek life. Whether you're the most involved person, just in it for the sisterhood, or you're fairly uninvolved, your experience will be different than everyone else's. You get out what you put in, as the saying goes.

V is for Vineyard Vines

One of many popular brands among sorority women and fraternity men alike.

W is for Wine Wednesday

Another fan favorite of the week is Wine Wednesday. Whether you're celebrating at Gallette's or from the comfort of your own dorm or apartment, Wine Wednesday is awesome.

X is for XL T-Shirts

Another part of the "sorority girl uniform". The bigger the T-shirt, the comfier and more confident you'll be. It's science.

Y is for Youth

Many philanthropies work with children, which is great because we love to spend time with the youth in and around Tuscaloosa!

Z is for Zero Sleep

When you're taking 14-18 credits, working, in a Greek organization and you're involved with several other organizations it's easy to see why we never get our full 8 hours of sleep. We're always going and we're fueled by coffee and a passion for whatever it is we're doing on and around campus.

Cover Image Credit: UA Panhellenic
Georgia Gallagher
Georgia Gallagher Jun 12, 2017
At Tuscaloosa, AL

Related Content

Connect with a generation
of new voices.

We are students, thinkers, influencers, and communities sharing our ideas with the world. Join our platform to create and discover content that actually matters to you.

Learn more Start Creating

Real Greek Sisterhood Is Nothing Like What You See In The Movies

My year has been filled with genuine people and exciting things.

epgainey
epgainey May 22, 2019
149
views

This year, I was lucky enough to run home to Kappa Alpha Theta on bid day, with 130 other girls in my same boat. That day was a blur — throwing on our colors, meeting our 300+ other sisters, and getting on a bus to go to Bham for a retreat — yet it still feels like yesterday. Well, yesterday was eight months ago, and so much has happened since that little, clueless freshman ran to the steps of Bryant Denny. I've gotten to experience what sisterhood in a sorority is and it's impacted my life for the better.

No, it's not like the fake sorority sisterhoods in the movies. It's nothing like that at all. It's real friendships that are going to last more than just the four years were in college. It's genuine people and long fun nights and people there to pick you up when you've fallen down. In fact, one phrase that my friends and I use sums up what our friendships here are like.

What is sisterhood to me? Sisterhood is…

Long, music-filled car rides to unknown locations. Easter Sunday, my friends and I came up with the random idea of making a fun video, so we drove around until we found this beautifully set train track, and cold "not-mountain-runoff" creek.

Lauren and I on the railroad tracks we found on EasterCourtesy of Elizabeth Gainey

Getting ready for swaps and date parties. Always in 508, the "party dorm," the best dorm. Picking out outfits, dancing to fun music, and just getting to be with my friends is always a fun time.

My friends and I getting ready for Theta's formalCourtesy of Elizabeth Gainey

A friend to bring you to DCH, and then the Health Center when I finally convinced her it was NOT an emergency. Random stomach pain isn't the best, but my friends who make me see a doctor and are willing to sit with me in a waiting room are.

Girls weekends. Have you ever been a tourist in your own city? I was when I brought a group of my friends down to NOLA for Mardi Gras. And, due to some canceled events, we got to stay a little bit longer for a weekend that we didn't want to end.

My group of friends in front of the Tulane Theta house during our Mardi Gras trip.Courtesy of Elizabeth Gainey

Impromptu day trips to other colleges. Sydney, Haven, and I decided last minute we wanted to go to the Ole Miss game. We didn't have tickets and we weren't even packed. We got there at 3 p.m., ended up at the game somehow, and, after a long series of events and nowhere to stay, drove back to TTown at 2 a.m.

Having a shoulder to cry on when everything just seems to be going wrong. They're there for you at your best and worst.

Studying with you until 2 in the morning for that engineering exam that you just have to pass. While my friends are all in different majors, sometimes it's nice to just have someone there for you to make sure you're on top of your game.

Sisterhood is.

epgainey
epgainey May 22, 2019
At The University of Alabama

Related Content

Facebook Comments