Currently, I am living in my sorority at Washington State. It has been one of the best decisions I have made this last year due to the friendships I have been able to build in such close quarters. Many people who are not in Greek life or have not lived in a sorority have different and unrealistic expectations of what actually goes down in a sorority house. I am here to dispell some of those myths. Here are the facts and myths of sorority living.
1. You can always find someone to go do something with.
Fact.
There are about seventy girls that live in my sorority. This means that it is not very hard to find someone to hang out with or go do something with outside the walls of the house. From studying at the library to getting food in town to going to the gym, it is a simple knock on a neighbor's door to find someone to hang out with.
2. We have pillow fights every night in skimpy pajamas.
Myth.
Most of us wear the same sweatshirts and sweatpants day and night, especially during cram weeks. With the busy schedules of balancing school, the gym, and other extracurricular activities, we do not really have the time to have pillow fights even if we wanted to.
3. You are paying for your friends.
Myth.
When you are in a sorority, and especially when you live in the sorority house, people tend to think that you are paying a lot of money just to have friends during a very stressful part of your life. A part of that is correct — you are paying to be in an organization of strong women, some of which who end up being greatest people you will ever meet.
Women in sororities tend to be the most outgoing individuals, from academics to networking to joining outside clubs and organizations. When you fit into a house, the women that are in that house will have the same types of motivation and interests as you. A sorority allows you to create authentic and genuine relationships with other women that will last long after you graduate college.
4. We never go to school and party every night of the week.
Myth.
This is definitey false, but the amount of partying depends on the individual and the house. Sororities have a required minimum GPA and mandatory study hours every week, which means plenty of opportunities to keep on top of school and making sure studying is the top priority. Many sorority houses have quiet study rooms that allow for girls to focus and get school work done as well. The social scene of Greek life is just one aspect of a very positive environment that is strictly unique to the bounds of college.
