As the fall semester sneaks up on us, many students are preparing for another year, or their first year of college. A new semester means a fresh start, with new opportunities and new adventures to take on.

Whether you’re returning to the familiar mountains or entering a whole new world as a wide-eyed freshman, there are two words that will be unavoidable: “Go Greek!” A question or an exclamation we can’t exactly be sure, but one thing is for certain, this phrase will tug at your thoughts for the first two weeks on campus.

Some already have their minds made up about Greek Life, and believe me when I say, no one understands that better than I do. I showed up on campus with some sort of “too-good-for-it” attitude that I wasn’t even aware of. Rushing a sorority was the LAST thing on my mind. However, something changed by the middle of the year. As much as I felt like the world’s biggest hypocrite, I quickly fell head over heels in love with a sorority. As it turns out, joining a sorority was the greatest thing that has happened to me at college.  

The absolute, hands down, without a doubt, BEST thing that came out of my joining a sorority, is the support my sisters provide. Almost immediately, I felt just a bit more comfortable knowing that the 13 other girls that joined me on bid day were all in the same situation that I was. We were all in this together. 

As I began to grow and learn within the sorority, I got to know more and more girls. I met girls who shared my major, my interests, and even some from the same hometown area. I noticed I was much more comfortable around campus. I’m sure part of this was me getting used to WVU, I realized that I never felt alone. There was always someone to reach out to, or even just someone to smile and wave to. Maybe you need help with Econ, or maybe you just need a girls night, whatever it is, there is always someone there.  

I have gained an appreciation for service in all its forms. Most people are aware that sororities and fraternities each raise money for a particular organization, but not many realize just how active we are within it. My sorority raises money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. I was familiar with the organization and all the good it did for children all over. However, it wasn’t until I saw all the good it was doing for just one little girl that I understood how important it all was.  

One of the reasons I always resented Greek Life was how fake it all seemed. In movies and TV shows, they make it seem like all the girls are instantly best friends forever. Although you do make some friends right away, this just isn't the way things go. I remember how surprised I was after Rush Week. Everyone had been so down to earth and understanding, and I didn’t feel like I was being judged or scrutinized. As I continued to participate in events throughout the semester, I made more and more friends. Real friendships develop and bonds are made.  

How could I write about all the positives in Greek Life without mentioning one of the most important people involved. Just as you’re getting to know everyone in your sorority, someone steps in and changes the game completely. Your role model, shoulder to cry on, best friend, and guiding light walks right into your life as if she’s been there all along. It’s like you’ve known her your entire life, and you call her your Big. 

I have no idea where I would be without my Big. She may not even realize it, but she has made everything so much easier. Everything is so much more comfortable when you know there is someone in your corner who loves you like family, no matter what you get yourself into. 

Each sorority has a basic set of ideals and values that they stand for. At WVU, spring rush is informal, so I hadn’t been to every house, or learned everything about each sorority. I accepted a bid from the sorority where I had felt very comfortable. It wasn’t until my first meeting that I realized I had found my way home. This might sound totally lame, but when I read the symphony for the first time, I cried. I’m not lying I promise. I was just so overwhelmed with the words written. It seemed like I was absolutely 100% where I should be. 

The last thing I’ll mention that came out of my joining a sorority is the way I carry myself. Before rushing, I thought about my actions and the consequences they may bring. However, when I joined a sorority, everything changed. I am no longer representing only Jordan Montgomery. I am representing a national organization. I am representing more than 310,000 women, and I am representing everything we stand for. Each and every member of a sorority holds this responsibility. It’s so easy to forget yourself for a moment. How tremendously important it is to think before you do. 

These are just one of the many ways my letters have helped me to become a better person. So, before you brush off the “Go Greek!” signs in the Mountainlair this fall, I hope you think about all that Greek Life has been able to do for so many people.