I'll admit, I was skeptic about Greek life before coming to college, and well into my first semester of college.
The media had portrayed them in such a negative light that I believed they were groups of pretentious people who paid for their friends and were just trying to live it up in college.
But when my first semester of college ended up a lot different from what I expected it to be, I found myself looking for ways to meet new people, get involved on campus and be a part of something bigger than myself. I never thought I'd find any of those qualities in a sorority, or let alone end up joining one.
When I returned to school after winter break my freshmen year, I saw online that sororities were recruiting. Without even thinking, I emailed Delta Phi Epsilon to gather more information. It was this thoughtless, impulsive decision that changed my college life.
I instantly felt comfortable and welcome in their presence. There was no feeling of judgement, even though they were, in fact, judging me to see if I fit their chapter's values. The conversations were easy and weren't set to anything specific; They just flowed. I'll admit, I didn't know Delta Phi Epsilon in great depth when I accepted my bid, but I liked the women I had met with, so I thought, "Why not".
The first couple of days, and even weeks, after I had joined Delta Phi Epsilon, I often asked myself what I had gotten into and questioned if being a part of Greek Life was for me. There was a lot of information to take in at once, and a lot of new faces to remember names to. The new atmosphere was overwhelming at first, but I figured I'd stick it out until the end of the semester.
Throughout this semester, I learned everything about Delta Phi Epsilon, the values they upheld, their 3 philanthropies, that their mascot is a unicorn. (Yea that threw me off too at first, but now I love them.) I discovered just how much they contributed on and off campus: Philanthropies, community service, sisters were involved in various clubs or worked various jobs. Delta Phi Epsilon was nothing I expected it to be, but everything I was looking for it to be.
My first chapter meeting was a complete shock. I was oblivious of weekly meetings where actual business was done, positions that had responsibilities and events that needed to be planned. I had no clue that sororities functioned like a non-profit organizations do. These positions allow members to grow their leadership skills and they give experience with real life situations in a business setting that prepare them for careers after college.
This was an aspect of sororities I was not aware of, but was quick to run for a position.
The sisters I have gained through Delta Phi Epsilon are much more than I thought I'd ever get. I've found my best friends, roommates who became my best friends, a big who lovingly asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding, deep connections that I never pictured myself making in college. My sisters became my biggest support system away from home. Stressing over a huge test? They'll motivate you and bring you a coffee.
Crying over a boy? They'll tell you everything great about yourself that maybe you don't see and feed you mac n' cheese. Something bad happen back home? They're your shoulder to cry on. They are ALWAYS there.
After joining, I understood why dues had to be paid to be in the sorority. It wasn't because the members couldn't make friends on their own, but so the organization can hold events that raise thousands of dollars for their philanthropies, recruit an incoming class or hold sisterhood events that allow sisters to bond.
I learned that Greeks are some of the biggest donors to their philanthropies, have some of the highest community service hours, highest grade point averages and highest involvement on campuses. I learned that being a sorority was actually helping me grow in college, and not just killing my liver. I now understand that my impressions of Greek Life were wrong, but I would have never known that if I had never joined Delta Phi Epsilon.
