Believe it or not, girls in sororities aren’t just vapid partiers with daddy issues and a trust fund. We are women who have chosen to be held to a higher level of expectation during our college years. We choose to be held accountable for our actions, we choose to be philanthropic, we choose to be dedicated, and we choose to be leaders. Don’t get me wrong -- you can absolutely have a great college experience and be an incredible student without being Greek, but there are just some things you can only learn from being a part of something greater than yourself.
I have only been in a sorority for one year, clearly I don’t know everything, but in one that year, I have grown and learned more than I could have ever imagined. Greek life is not for every one, but for those of you who think it is a waste of time and money, and think I’m just buying my friends, here are six things I have actually learned from my sorority my freshman year of college.
1. Commitment.
Being in a sorority, as fun as it is, is no walk in the park. As a sorority woman you are expected to honor your financial commitment to the chapter, attend chapter meetings, take part in all community service events, and to respect and preserve the secrets and rituals of your chapter. Do I always feel like being in a hot room, filled with over 300 girls for an hour and a half while exec. talks about things that will later be posted on Facebook? Um, no. But it’s a commitment I have made, and even though I’d rather be studying or watching PLL, I suck it up, and honor that commitment. And I know learning to honor my commitments now will serve me later in life.
2. Integrity.
None of us are perfect, and from time to time we all make decisions that don’t represent who we really are. We mess up. We are human. And when that happens at an event that effects our sorority, we have to accept the consequences for our actions. But the punishment isn’t to ruin you life or take all your fun away, its to help you to learn from your mistakes and show you how to be better. Things like standards board or other disciplinary boards aren’t something to be afraid of. They are a group of your sisters who want to help you to understand what you did wrong, to re-orient that moral compass inside and they do it all with love. That’s pretty incredible.
3. Scholarship.
What? Sorority girls study? Uh, yeah. Ever heard of a little thing called academic probation? It sucks. If you fall below the required GPA by your chapter and no social functions for you, no voice when voting for you, and even more required study hours at the house for you, as well (yeah, we have required study hours at the house even if we aren’t on probation).
4. Growth.
There is a huge difference between changing and growing. When you change you become a fake version of someone else. When you grow you become a better version of yourself. That’s what Pi Phi has done for me. That’s what it's all about. Pushing yourself to be better. Contributing a little more to your community, studying a little harder, taking things less personally, learning how to get along with girls who are totally different from you, being a better leader, leading a healthier lifestyle, being less caddy and more elevated. These are all things all of us can do while still being authentic to ourselves.
5. Community outreach.
In college it is so easy to get wrapped up in yourself, or at least for me it is. Between my studies, being homesick, maintaining relationships, worrying about finances and finding the right balance between work and play, I become so selfish and overwhelmed. But my sorority has given me so much perspective. While I’m over here worrying about my C in math, my sorority is raising money to purchase books for under privileged kids who never learned to read, and are spending one-on-one time with them twice a week in the class room. The selflessness and dedication of the girls in my chapter is so inspiring and impactful. They have taught me that being philanthropic isn’t just writing a check, but sacrificing hours of your own time. In college that’s tough, but when you are passionate about the cause, its an honor to help out.
6. Friendship.
Being in a sorority has taught me what it really means to be a true friend. What it means to care for people outside of your self. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t love (or even like) ever single girl in my chapter. But the ones I am close to, I am closer to than anyone else in my life. They have been there at every turn and have seen me through some dark times. They gently nudge me when my life gets off track, they pick me up when I’m at my lowest point, and forgive me when I am out of line and selfish. They have helped to shape who I and always push me to do better.
Greek life is challenging. It is. And no one ever told me it was going to be easy, but its certainly worth it. After only one year, I have come away with so many life lessons and so many qualities that I will be thankful for the rest of my life. If you are going into college anytime soon, please consider going Greek. It has given me a family and great foundation to start building the rest of my life on.
