At the beginning of my freshman year of college, I walked onto my campus knowing that I wanted to join a sorority. I grew up watching my older sister experience Greek life -- I watched her craft, gain confidence, and form bonds and friendships that she still has today. I knew that when I went to college I wanted to experience all the Greek life had to offer.

Even though I know how great Greek life can be, I know that not everyone shares that same view. Most people usually have some preconceived notion of what Greek life is like and a lot of the time that notion is negative. But in reality who could blame them? The media is filled with all sorts of stereotypes about sorority girls and if you see something enough chances are you're going to start to believe it's true.

So what is the truth about Greek life? What is being in a sorority actually like?

Spoiler alert: Sorority girls are not all blonde and air-headed, and despite what "Sorority Row" and "Scream Queens" might have told you, I'd say a good majority of us aren't murderers either. Greek life is a different experience for everyone, but this is what being in a sorority has been like for me.

I have never been hazed by my sisters. Ever. Not once. The truth is most sororities don't haze, it only seems like that because the ones that do usually make headlines over the sororities that excel in academics or community service. I'll never forget when my pledge mama sat my pledge sisters and I down and told us that our sorority doesn't tolerate hazing on any level. She said, "We're you're sisters and we're supposed to support and love you, so why would we ever do anything that would hurt you or make you uncomfortable?" And it's true, if you're truly apart of a group of girls that care about you, then hazing won't ever happen.

Being a member of my sisterhood has helped me grow as a person. Most Greek organizations require that their members maintain a certain GPA in order to remain a member and because of this my grades and my study habits improved drastically once I transitioned into college. My sorority participates in multiple hours of volunteer work every semester, and I can honestly say that the times I've spent with my sisters raising money for the annual polar plunge and participating in breast cancer walks have been some of my most memorable times in Greek life.

Being in a sorority has also introduced me to some pretty amazing people. I'm not saying I'm best friends with all of my sisters because that's not the case. But being apart of my sisterhood has introduced me to people that I now couldn't imagine my life without. My big and my little, my grand big, my best friend; I wouldn't have met these incredibly important people if I hadn't have joined my sorority.

Going Greek isn't for everyone, and being in a sorority doesn't suddenly make you a super cool person with a huge closet and a small BMI. Being in a sorority hasn't changed who I am -- I'm still just as much of a dork as I've always been. The one thing that is true is that being in a sorority has helped me grow as a person. I've gained leadership, made unbreakable relationships, and yeah, maybe I've partied a little too. But the truth is that being in a sorority has positively affected my life and is an experience that I will treasure far after my years of college are over.