Going through recruitment my freshman year has to be the best decision I have made in my entire life. My college experience would be completely different had I not decided to be in a sorority. It truly teaches you things about yourself that you wouldn’t learn any other way. I have learned so many invaluable lessons from being a part of this wonderful organization of strong women.

Tolerance

Tolerance is such an important skill that I have learned from my time in a sorority. Sometimes there will be days when you just don’t get along with your sisters. This is okay. It is important to learn which battles are worth fighting and which are alright taking a deep breath and moving on. Being in a sorority has taught me that even if you get annoyed with someone you are around, it is important to practice tolerance because sometimes you simply just can’t change who you have to associate with at times.

Acceptance

One of the great things about being in a sorority is you get to become friends with people you may not have even crossed paths with throughout college had you not been in a sorority. This give you the chance to learn acceptance of all the different types of people. You become friends with people from a variety of different majors and interests, and this gives you the chance to open your mind to a multitude of different opinions and viewpoints. Being around a bunch of different types of people helps you understand that even if you may not agree with an opinion of someone, you need to accept that their opinion is just as important as your own.

Values

If there’s any one thing that I would put at the top of the list for what I have learned from being in a sorority, it would be values. Since being in a sorority my standards for friendship and even the type of guy I am interested in have completely changed. I no longer value relationships with people that are surface level. I want friendships and relationships that are genuine—ones that actually value who I am as a person and truly care about me, and in turn I value who they are and care about them just as much. I have learned to cherish a life full of ambition and drive and to value those around me who share a love of life.

Loyalty

Sororities truly teach you loyalty. No matter how hard it may be to be in a sorority at times--living with lots of girls and dealing with the occasional drama--it is loyalty to the amazing organization you are in that gets you through. It is loyalty to your sisters, that you will always be there for them no matter what and that you are in it for the long haul. It is important to be committed to whatever you decide to do in your life.

Friendship

Being a part of a sorority helps you value genuine friendships above anything else. It teaches you that being a good friend is a two-way street and that tiny gestures go a long way. Whether it be sending flowers to your sister as they’re going through a hard time, to taking time to go to coffee and listen to your sisters rave about their date last night. Being there for your sisters and friends is such an invaluable lesson to be learned from sororities.

Leadership

Since being in a sorority, I have learned priceless leadership skills that I would not have learned anywhere else. With the opportunity for leadership positions throughout your time in a sorority, those skills will be fine-tuned by the time you leave college. It’s even the little things like leading a day of recruitment or being in charge of organizing a group to bring desserts for the Panhellenic Council potluck. The opportunities to build leadership skills are endless.