This week at High Point University, students were given the opportunity to "rush". "Rush," meaning trying out and potentially making it into a sorority or a fraternity. However, rush just isn’t for everyone. This week I got to see from both perspectives what rush was all about.
This year I decided to focus on myself and my grades before I even thought about rushing. Being at a school that is huge in Greek Life, I was extremely worried about this. I worried whether or not my friends would forget about me as soon as they joined their new family. It is easy to forget an old friend when you join a sorority or a fraternity because you are constantly being introduced to new people and making new friendships along the way. After watching the whole rush process, I am confident that I will remain friends with all my friends.
Even though rushing this year may not have been for me, it was a great experience to sit back and watch my friends go through the process. Now I know all about the good, the bad, and the ugly of rushing. One of my best friends had a terrible rush experience. If I had rushed, I would not have been able to be there for her and help her through it. Rushing is extremely stressful for some girls and sometimes it just gets to be too much. I was glad that I was around to give her advice on whatever she needed. I was able to help her with outfits, makeup, and just general advice a long with words of encouragement. My friend did not get into the house of her choice, she is still mourning over the loss but I know she will pull through. When rushing, there’s one thing you have to do and that would be to trust the system.
By not rushing, I was also around for the great moments when people were happy to be alive and in Greek Life. My two best friends got into the houses that they wanted. One is now a ZTA and the other is now a brother in KA. I have never seen them so happy, as I did the moment when they realized what house they were in. Getting to see them get into to these houses made me really happy and excited for when I rush myself. It was nice to be able to step back and watch them in their glory as they celebrate their new families. This is something I would not have been able to do if I were to rush myself.
Next year it’ll be my time to shine and I’ll get to join my new family, but for now I am happy for my friends. It was nice to be in the background for once so I could just be there for my friends as they went through this process. The good news is I can still get invited to formals so I’m not entirely missing out. By being on the side lines I witnessed it all, but now I know I’m ready to kick it next year.
