I was always the girl in class that was shy, never spoke up, and was afraid of her own shadow. This continued to be my life throughout high school and into my first two years of college. I had trouble making friends because I was afraid of rejection, and I spent my time alone. All of this changed when I decided to join a sorority my sophomore year of college. Joining a sorority was something that I had always dreamed of but had never had the courage to attempt because of my fear of rejection. The day I ran home to Alpha Delta Pi was the first time I ever felt truly comfortable being myself in front of anyone other than my parents. Since then, my sorority has changed my life more than I could have ever imagined and my life is better for it.
The biggest thing that changed for me when I ran home to my sisters was the feeling of being accepted for the first time in my life. I had never felt that I belonged to a specific group, even among my family. My father's family was always so perfect that I never felt good enough and my mother's family teased me because I was born in Atlanta and according to them, that made me too much of a northerner. The first point at which I felt accepted by my sisters was during my Bid Day when one of my sisters pulled me out of my chair to dance with everyone else. That moment changed me from the girl that stood off to the side and never dared to dance in front of others to the woman that gets on the dance floor with everyone else and has fun. That moment was the defining moment in my life that truly made me feel at home.
Since then, not only have I become more comfortable having fun and spending time with others, but I have found some of the best friends in my life among my sisters. We'll go out to eat at our favorite Mexican restaurant, spend time sitting around and talking while eating lunch on campus, and joking around on group messages. With these women I feel at home.
Aside from building up my confidence and friendships, being a part of ADPi has also allowed me to experience two great parts of my life that I never felt I really had much experience with. One of these things is the good study habits I've acquired in the last year of being a member of my sorority. My sisters encourage me to do well in class and study, and through their support, I went from never studying to actually enjoying spending time in the library while studying for my classes.
The final really great thing that being in ADPi has allowed me to experience is taking part in philanthropic work. We work with our local Ronald McDonald House Charities on a regular basis and through this, I've discovered a love for philanthropy. Some of the most fun I've ever had was getting a pie in the face to raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House.
Through this last year, being a part of my sisterhood has changed me a lot. I now have the confidence to be myself in front of others, and I have a group of ninety other women that I trust more than I ever thought I would be able to trust anyone. Deciding to go Greek was the best decision I have ever made in my life and I'm thankful for all of the things that my sorority has helped me through and gain.
I Live For Alpha Delta Pi <>
