All The Benefits You Get From Joining A Collegiate Sorority | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
College Greek

To The Woman Who Doesn't Want To Join A Sorority, Just DO IT, Sister

I went from vowing to never be a part of Greek life to joining a sorority and absolutely loving it, and here's why.

513
To The Woman Who Doesn't Want To Join A Sorority, Just DO IT, Sister

In my family, I have quite an extensive history when it comes to Greek life. My mom, my grandmother, and my aunts were all in sororities, while my dad, my grandfather, and my uncles were all in fraternities. It only seemed right that when I went to college, I would be more than eager to be a part of Greek life. However, it was actually the last thing I wanted to do.

The first time I had ever seriously thought about being in a sorority was about two years ago when my older sister was about to go through recruitment. If you're new to this whole process, "recruitment" is the week when potential new members visit all of the sorority houses, going back to fewer and fewer each day until they get an invitation from one house to join. Until hearing about my sister's experience, Greek life was just a thing of the movies to me; everything I knew about it came from fictionalized worlds. And because of the negative picture the media had painted for me and the fact that I was an angsty 16-year-old who didn't want to do anything, I refused to follow in my sister's path and rejected the idea of joining a sorority.

In all honesty, I thought it was silly and that I was too good to join this kind of an organization.

At this point in my life, I think a major thing that turned me off from the idea of joining a sorority was the way Greek life is portrayed in movies and television. All the partying, hazing, constantly being judged for your looks, not caring about education and basically every other stereotype just really rubbed me the wrong way. A perfect example of this is the movie "Sydney White." Although I do love this movie, it portrays Greek life in such a negative way. In this movie, there's cruel hazing, women being ridiculed for their weight and looks and are generally filled with characters that are shallow, brainless and one-dimensional.

However, after actually joining a sorority, I can tell you that there is nothing further from the truth.

I think what initially changed my mind about deciding to go through recruitment and join a sorority was hearing about my sister's experience. She met women just like her; women who shared the same interests, passions, and values. I was able to see her create new friendships that were genuine and strongly bound, all because of the sisterhood she found through her sorority. And after not having the best experience with high school friendships, there was nothing I wanted more than a strong support system of women.

Still, there was definitely some fear while I was going through recruitment.

Not every sorority is alike, and not even every chapter of the same sorority is alike. But thankfully, I found a home with women who inspire me and push my boundaries (in a positive and beneficial way). I found a home with women who have the same sense of humor as me and are artistic like me. And most importantly, I found a home with women who are motivated, passionate and genuine friends who care about your well-being. That negative fictionalized reality I had created in my mind of what Greek life was like has now completely vanished. Instead, my reality consists of laughter, friendships, support, role models, guidance and sisterhood.

So here I am now, a girl who went from never wanting to be a part of Greek life to now currently wearing a sorority sweatshirt while writing on my laptop that's covered in sorority stickers. Don't let stereotypes create a false image of what Greek life is like - give it a chance, I promise you won't regret it.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

5 Things To Do That Are Better Than Writing A Paper

Don't waste your time trying to write that paper when there are so many more interesting things you could be doing.

2304
computer keyboard
Unsplash

Writing a paper is never fun and is rarely rewarding. The writer's block, the page requirement, be specific, but don’t summarize, make sure you fixed any grammatical errors, did you even use spellcheck? and analyze, analyze, analyze.

Papers can be a major pain. They take up so much time and effort that by the end of the process you hate yourself and you hate the professor for making life so difficult. Questions of your existence start roaming in your mind. Am I even cut out for college if I can’t write a single paper? Am I even capable of taking care of myself if I lack the energy to open my laptop and start typing?

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Reasons Why Sisters Are The Best

Who could be a better friend than your own sister?

1469
sisters
Taylor Hooper

I can barely remember back when I was the only child. Most would say it’s because it is extremely difficult to remember things as a toddler but I would say it's because I was bored until my sister came along. My mother always says how important the "sister bond" is and with every year that passes I realize how right she is. Instead of writing a novel about all of the wonderful things there are about having a sister I decided to list a few of them instead.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

How To Adult

You're gonna make it after all.

2960
how to adult
Twitter

It is the time of our lives that we are beginning to enter the adult world and most of us, if not all of us, have no idea what we are doing. It's like starting a video game, but skipping the tutorial. We're all just running around aimlessly hoping we accidentally do something right that moves us along the right path. Now that graduation has just happened, or is right around the corner for some of us, it's time to start thinking about how we are going to take care of ourselves once we are on our own.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

7 Signs You're A Starbucks Addict

I'll be the first one to admit I'm addicted to Starbucks.

1560
drinking coffee
Tumblr

If you’re anything like me, you love a good cup of coffee. My coffee always comes from Starbucks; I refuse to drink it from anywhere else. Over the years, it’s become one of my biggest addictions. So, if you are aware that you’re a Starbucks addict as well, or maybe you need to check to see if you’re an addict, here are seven ways to tell.

Keep Reading...Show less
people  in library
Photo by redcharlie on Unsplash

College involves a whirlwind of emotions, whether it’s from the stress of an assignment (or twenty), or from fighting with your roommate. It can be overwhelming at times and it’s important to take a step a back and calmly think things over. Maybe gain some perspective. The following aren’t foolproof tips and may not apply to you, but I was able to find success with them (hope you do too!)

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments