With school about to start and recruitment season rearing its head, I started to look back on what made me want to join a sorority in the first place. What I realized was that the reasons I joined a sorority were not the same reasons that I stayed. As a freshman I had not idea what it actually meant to be a member of Greek life. Joining a sorority came with perks I had not even imagined.
First, lets start with why I joined. I didn't know much about Greek life as a freshman. My mom was in a sorority in college, and I knew she was still friends with some of her sisters. Like most freshman, I was also on the search for friends and had heard that going Greek was one way to find them. I knew nothing else. I hadn't heard any reputations of any sororities, and even if I did, I probably wouldn't have understood what they meant. I didn't know which houses were the biggest or had the best furniture. I didn't know what a social or a date party was. I pretty much went in blind and hoped for the best.
I went through recruitment. I found my home. I expected to make friends, and I did, but I did not expect anything else. I did not expect to become heavily involved in community service because of Greek life. I did not expect to run for multiple leadership positions or serve on the executive board or plan events for the entire chapter. I did not expect to spend two years making memories living in my sorority house. I did not expect to meet one of my best friends and end up rooming with her for three years. The things I found in Greek life were much more than the simple friendship I wanted to find.
I stayed in Greek life because it has made me a better person. The community service work and philanthropy that I have become passionate about has made me more caring and kind. The leadership experience I gained on my chapter's executive board gave me a confidence that I didn't have before. The work ethic of my sisters and seeing them achieve in academics has pushed me to work harder in my classes. Living with these amazing people allowed me to open up and become comfortable with who I am. I am no longer the shy self-conscious freshman that I was when I stepped through the doors on welcome day during the first round of recruitment. Going Greek has changed me for good and I will always be thankful to not only the people who helped that change happen, but the organization as a whole.
Recruitment is scary, and I almost didn't stick it out. But if I hadn't joined, then I would not have gotten to experience all the aspects of Greek life that made me stay. Whether you are thinking about going through recruitment or becoming a recruiter yourself, keep in mind that Greek life is a lot more than friendship, it is an opportunity to grow as a person.
