When I came to college, I did not feel like I would fit in with Greek Life. I had this perception wherein the people in Greek Life were the cool, collected, popular kids, and that I could never fit in with them. However, some familial pressure (both of my parents were Greek) and some pressure from some friends meant that I decided to sign up for rush. It would end up being the best decision I ever made.
From the very beginning of the rush process I made a ton of new relationships: with people in my rush group, with people in groups other than the one I ended up pledging. All of these relationships would have made rush completely worth it even if I had decided not to pledge. After orientation week freshman year, it is rather hard to make a ton of new friendships really quickly and this was one great opportunity, even for introverted me. And that was one of the biggest things I was scared about-- that I would be too introverted to ever really fit in with any of the Greek groups.
What I found instead was that Greek life was not the exclusionary, cliquey, elitist groups that are often stereotyped and portrayed but instead an open and inviting family. Every group I visited during rush tried to include me, and tried to find out more about who I was. It was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had.
When I finally found my group, my brothers, it felt more natural than anything else ever has. I honestly felt like I had found a family away from home. Just like a family, there are members I sometimes feud with, and sometimes we do not all get along, but in the end the support is was more than I ever dreamed of.
There is this perception of Greek Life as being focused on partying, get wasted, fucked up, hammered, sloshed, and in general, intoxicated. But that is not at all what it is about. It is the greatest support system I have ever had. Whenever I struggle emotionally, I know my brothers will be there to support me. I know if I start to struggle academically, my brothers will be there to help get me through it. No matter what I am going through, I have an entire group of guys who have my back and will do anything to help get me through to the other side.
That is why rushing is the best decision I have ever made. No matter what I am struggling with I know that there are people there who will have my back no matter what. I know that I have guys around me now who will stand up at my wedding... who will be with me for the rest of my life. Rushing has given me the best friends I have ever had, and they have given me friends who truly deserve the title of being my brothers.
