Drinking, hazing, paying for your friendships are the typical responses I hear when I tell people I am a member of a sorority at my small Liberal Arts college. There seems to be a problem with today's sororities and I think I found out what they are.
I recently went to a wedding for one of my sorority sisters and a few other of my chapter members were there as well. There were two tables of us, one of graduated members and the other of current sisters. We all know each other well and the night was filled with old memories, big smiles, and sore bellies from the laughter.
The problem with sororities is they give you too many lifelong friendships.
There was a moment when all of my sisters surrounded the bride and we were chanting and laughing. In that moment I realized, all these women surrounding me will be forever in my life. Some will be more reoccurring then others, but I know that when I am older and going through a midlife crisis, I can count on them to be there.
The problem with sororities is they teach you more about yourself.
If you would have told me when I was first coming into college I would join a sorority, I would have just looked at you with a stunned smile and most likely would have burst into laughter. Now, four years later, I am a senior member of my sorority and am eager to get back to chapter meetings. Being in a sorority, you learn about yourself. What kind of leader you are, what your role is in a group, or maybe you'll stumble upon a passion you never knew you had... like crafting!
The problem with sororities is you learn to love others.
Being in a sorority with 60 other women, you're bound to fall in love with another sister. You'll learn to love her quirky sense of humor, her love of sloths, or even her passion of helping others. You'll adore who your sisters are and realize how your sister is actually a blessing in disguise.
The problem with sororities is you'll have too many inside jokes.
Whether you live in a house or a wing, you'll have endless inside jokes with your sisters. Most of your conversations will somehow consist of at least one inside joke between you and your sisters. When you try to explain it to other sisters or people, you find them blankly looking at you, only making the joke more funny.
The problem with sororities is you'll have a huge support system.
You had a stressful day or a big test is coming up? Expect a text from a sister asking you out to coffee or to a study session. Your sisterhood is a soft place to land after a hard day and has some of the best cheerleaders in the world. They will always care about you, no matter what.
The problem with sororities is you have to make a difference.
Being a senior, I find myself constantly asking myself, how can I leave a legacy for the classes below me? How can I impact this world? Being in a sorority, you make an impact! Through philanthropy work, through taking time to listen to another person, through learning to take the extra step, you make a difference. It may not be a huge wave you make at first, but it's there, rippling into someone else's life and that is making a difference.
There are a lot of stereotypes that surround Greek life, and don't get me wrong, some of them may ring true, but for me, the problems I have with sororities are ones that will affect me for the rest of my life. Darn sororities.
