No one knows truly what to expect when you enter your first year of college. Some people are more prepared than others based on family history, but with the recent growth of first-generation college students, more and more students are entering college at a complete loss. I like to think that I entered slightly more prepared than most, but I am still, technically, a first-generation student.

If entering college isn’t bad enough, joining a sorority is even scarier. As a nonlegacy, and first-year generation student in general, I felt like I was blind walking into recruitment day one. I felt even blinder when I walked out. However, time passed and eventually I received my bid to Kappa Delta.

Out of nowhere, I had an entire network of Kappa Delta love surrounding me. I was no longer afraid or anxious, but just undoubtedly full of life.

Greek life oftentimes has this negative stigma associated with it that is generally drawn from Hollywood dramatizations. As I began my journey into Kappa Delta, I noticed a shift in my life (both good and bad) that I couldn’t control necessarily.

The first thing that happened was I noticed people who distanced themselves from me. People subtweeted me in disbelief that I could really be a sorority girl. People from home talked about me as if my choices affected them at all. Some of the people I had previously thought were my friends at college were suddenly mad at me.

Some people asked if I would tell them the secrets of my sorority and when I sternly said no, they angrily told me I was being ridiculous. To them, it was no big deal, but to me, my sisterhood had already begun to mean everything. You see, from the moment you receive your bid, you are welcome into a home where you don’t have to be afraid to be yourself. Why would I ever want to break that trust?

So, after these people outside of my circle began to treat me differently, I realize something. This was exactly why I needed the bond of my sisterhood. By treating me as they did, my former friends had proven to me even more why I had been searching for a new home anyway. The people previously in my life had been sources of negativity who could not support me through something that I was especially passionate about. My soon-to-be sisters, however, were supportive of every single one of my quirks from the moment they met me. By joining this sorority, I exposed those negative people in my life and welcomed in endless positivity.

And that was only the beginning. After pushing through that slight hiccup of discomfort, I only found a story of love began to unfold.

Kappa Delta built my confidence up exponentially and I haven’t even been initiated yet. While this may be due to the fact that Kappa Delta’s platform is built fully around building confidence, I also believe that if a sorority doesn’t fill you with a feeling of self-worth then something is probably wrong. I’m so grateful for this feeling and for these girls.

I went from taking food from the cafeteria back to my room and hiding away to being welcomed no matter what into a table full of twenty or more bubbly girls. I suddenly had countless friends to go on last-minute frozen yogurt dates after I had my heartbroken. My off-handed comments about my love for One Direction are now met with dozens of girls shrieks as we all are able to fangirl together. Any adventure that I wish to embark on won’t only be given unconditional support, but I will also most likely automatically have someone to hold my hand and travel on it with me.

Every step of the way, I find myself growing into a bigger person. As I learn our creed, motto, and every other bit of information, I find myself reflected into it. Kappa Delta Sorority has bolstered my confidence and given me such a support system to fall back on. I can’t speak for every sorority, but I know that this one is special. I also know that this is what being in a sororitiy is supposed to be like.

So, I know that the Hollywood productions say. I know that we, as sorority girls, are painted as catty snobs, but I promise you, that is as far from the truth as possible. Every time I tell someone that I have pledged a sorority, they expect to hear some story about Hell Week. I’ll let you in on a not-so-little secret though: there is no Hell Week for me-- only love and respect. This is what rushing a sorority should be like, and this is the reality that so much of us live.