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Stop Stereotyping Greek Life

Those TikTok and Youtube videos of hundreds of girls chanting is not an accurate representation of greek life.

Aug 28, 2019

With recruitment right around the corner, I wanted to take the time to share what greek life is all about. So many people stereotype greek life based on what they see in movies and tv shows and what is on the news. Greek life is not how the media portrays it as, but it is so hard for people to see that. So here is what greek life is really about.

Paying for your friends???

This is nowhere near true! When I first got to college I didn't really talk to anyone the first three weeks. Then, I decided to go out for recruitment. Of course you gain a lot of friends when you join a sorority. You are surrounded by the same people a lot of the time, and you most likely share a lot with your sisters and connect with them, but that's not what you're paying for. Your dues go towards a lot of things. Housing, furnishing, food, a general fund to help pay for events, etc. You aren't paying for your friends. You are paying to be a part of something bigger. You don't even have to be friends with most of your sisters, but you all share a common connection. Yes, I did meet my best friend through joining my sorority. Yes, I have made some pretty amazing friends through my sorority, but some of my closest friends aren't in my sorority or even in Greek life. One of my best friends I met through work and I am so thankful she is in my life. Some of my others friends I met through my major and in classes, and some of my friends are in other sororities.

Networking

Greek life isn't just something you are a part of in college. It is in your life forever. You have sisters (or brothers if you're in a fraternity) all over the country. If you move to a new part of the country, you can always find someone to connect with. I am in a facebook group for my sorority, and people are constantly posting looking for job opportunities or recommendations for a particular area. It is so much bigger than just what you do in college.

Academics

Academics is a HUGE part about being in greek life. There are GPA requirements to be in a sorority. For mine it is 2.7 and if you do not have that gpa, there are consequences. We have a required amount of study hours for each week and occasionally attend study tables. Academics is taken very seriously. If someone does not have the gpa requirement, they cannot receive a bid. If they are already initiated, they will have certain privileges taken away from them so that they can focus more of their time on their education.

Lifelong Skills

Being a part of greek life gives you so many opportunities to learn lifelong skills. You attend and run meetings, following Robert's Rules, just like in the business world. There are conferences and trainings throughout the year that members can attend. They are all a little bit different. Some may teach you how to recruit, some may just be a way to connect with chapters from all around. Some conferences may give tips on public speaking. The things that you learn at theses conferences and trainings won't just help you during your college greek life experiences, but they are also useful techniques and tips for life.

So stop stereotyping greek life based on what you see in the news and in movies. Take the time to learn more about what greek life is all about. Go out for recruitment, even if you don't think it's for you. There is no commitment to just go and get to know more about each chapter. You never know, you might end up changing your mind.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Stop Stereotyping Greek Life

Those TikTok and Youtube videos of hundreds of girls chanting is not an accurate representation of greek life.

Paying for your friends???

Networking

Academics

Lifelong Skills

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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