Starting off your college career is a scary thing to do. You are overwhelmed by the amount of people, drowning in classes and homework, and struggling to find your place among those around you. It's not like high school where you have known everyone since the age of 5, it is a completely new crop of acquaintances waiting to be made friends.

Everyone has their own way of finding their place and getting involved. May it be sports, a club, a job or a sorority or fraternity. My freshman year, I decided to join a sorority and go through formal recruitment. To say the least, I definitely don't regret it.

Why should you go Greek?:

1. To build friendships that will last a lifetime.

You'll always hear things like "you buy your friends" but until you are a part of an organization like a sorority, you don't know. Your chapter may have 80 plus girls in it, but you bet I know every girl, could spend the night with them, and know their life story. I mean c'mon, we spend at least three days a week with each other.

2. To build connections for now and late in life.

Networking is such a crucial part in your success after college. Having so many sister/brothers, you are bound to know someone who can get you an interview in this field or an internship in that field. Maybe there are some alum that were your major too, and being Greek or in their same sorority or fraternity just got you that last spot.

3. Philanthropy; giving back to those around you, nationwide and worldwide.

The biggest reward is giving back. The feeling charity work and volunteering gives you doesn't compare to much. Each and every sorority/fraternity has their own foundation that they support, and then on top of that we support eachnother. If a sister or brother has a foundation or event that they truly care about, they know they will have 80 others there caring too.

4. Learn skills toward professionalism.

Dressing "business casual," giving presentations, knowing how to sit through and run a professional meeting, time management, communication skills, listening, building relationships, decision-making, negotiating, rule enforcement, building a resume. I could keep going on and on.

5. Leadership opportunities.

Being in a sorority/fraternity in itself shows leadership but inside of the greek organization you can become even more of a leader by being on the executive board or the executive council in which you hold positions and help run the sorority/fraternity. The best leaders come from the greek community because who else would be able to control 80 plus girls all talking at the same time?

6. Becoming involved on campus.

As a campus organization you are encouraged to support those around you. You'll be able to branch out to other organizations and become involved in those by joining or just supporting.

7. Academic support.

Having the encouragement of so many sister or brothers can make such a difference in your life especially when it comes to what sucks the most about college. Most if not all sororities and fraternities have a minimum GPA that needs to be maintained. It may sound harsh, but trust me it will help you in the long run. It makes you work harder towards those grades, gives you resources to help you, and opens your horizons up to better study habits and work ethic.

8. Emotional support.

College can throw some curve balls at you, but there is one thing that will be there to help you dodge those. That's your sisters. No matter what is going on in your life, you know that you have many people you can turn to for advice and support.

9. Scholarships

You may be hesitant to join because of financial reasons, but there are many scholarships you can apply for that will help with dues and your tuition.

10. Endless memories.

Yeah you will remember that day your best friend from another college came to stay, or that day you went to that football game. But what you'll remember the most is the socials, the sisterhoods, recruitment, volunteering together, taking on formal together, making a difference together, beating sterotypes together.

11. Being an alumnae so you never have to officially stop.

It is not just 4 years, it is forever.