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.
