It’s August. The first day of college is getting closer and you can finally count down the days before move-in on your fingertips. It’s getting close to the time where you have to answer the question: to rush, or not to rush?
I never thought that I would be someone who’s encouraging other women to participate in recruitment. I signed up for recruitment three hours before the form closed, and until that moment, I thought that Greek life was a waste of time. I am not here to tell you how great my experience has been or that it will be the same for you. I am not here to encourage you to join a sorority, but I will encourage you to at least participate in recruitment.
Greek life may not be for you, and understandably, it’s not for everyone. But how will you know whether or not you’ll like Greek life, without seeing what it’s like? You have to fill out a short form and pay a fee (mine was around $45) to sign up for rush, and if it ends up that joining a sorority isn’t for you, at least you walk away with a new T-shirt and the knowledge that Greek life wasn’t right for you. But if it’s anything for you like it was for me, it’ll be the best $45 you’ve ever spent. Along with the free T-shirt and snacks, I gained an experience. I had absolutely no idea what to expect, and in my opinion, my not knowing made it even better. I talked to countless amounts of women; women who were on the other side of the doors that were already members of Greek life, as well as women who were participating in recruitment along side me. I was forced to talk to people that I never would have met had it not been for that week of rush. I made friends with people who did not join the same sorority as me and some who chose not to join a sorority at all. I understood that the relationships that were created because of Greek life were genuine. I learned what it meant to be a part of something bigger than yourself.
Most importantly, I found my home. I do not believe that my collegiate career would be bad if I had never joined a sorority, but it would not be the same. I enjoy attending chapter every Sunday. I enjoy learning about our ritual that women created in 1851 and have been doing ever since. I enjoy participating in our philanthropic events, and I enjoy seeing the change a small group of women can make. I love the connection that I know I have with a countless number of women internationally, as a member of Alpha Delta Pi. I am not saying that every Alpha Delta Pi is the same or that we all get along perfectly, but we all share the same morals, ethics, motto, philanthropy, and so much more.
Greek life has changed my life forever. I believe that my life and my character have been enriched during the years I’ve spent as a member of my sorority, and I know that that will only continue to be true in the years to come.
