In 2006, I joined a sorority it was one of the best decisions I made. I was able to connect with girls who shared similar interest, make friends easily with a common connection, and gave me a push in building my self confidence that was lacking all through high school and freshman year in college. I joined in the spring of my sophomore year, which gave me time to settle into a study routine and not get too sidelined in the party scene when I first started living away from home.
Looking back as a 36-year-old, not being in contact much with these ladies as an adult besides social media and random meet-ups when I travel back to New York you would think that it was all for nothing. Just another chapter in life that closed as I got older and moved forward, but I know if I called anyone of these ladies not having spoken for years, we would pick-up right where we left off in catching up and finding ways to reconnect like no time has passed. The bonds that tie you in a sorority sisterhood is just like a family. You bond because you go through similar experiences during initiation that others don't get the privilege of knowing or understanding. Do you get along with everyone, absolutely not, but you have each other's back if something happens.
You will hear some people say that you paid for friends joining greek life (sorority or fraternity), but I look at those people of being jealous. To join a sorority/fraternity you need attend a week that is called rush. During that time, different greek groups will be throwing parties and social gatherings that are open to all students to try to gain interest from individuals looking to be part of a group. From there, you see who clicked most with and start to build relationships with their members. Next they will give you a bid which is basically an offer to join the organization. The next 6 to 8 weeks while you are pledging/getting to know the organization you life is forever changed through the bonds you make with the sisters of the organization as well as your pledge sisters. Are there drawbacks to being in greek life - yes, but the positive outweigh the negatives.
Some of the negatives include time commitment and financial expectations. You need to make sure that you are maintaining your grades and have the time to commit to greek life as there are late nights and obligations that are required such as philanthropy activities, pledging events with new members, and working various parties to help to maintain funds for the organization outside of dues. Dues are another obligation as their are usually semester dues that are required from each member to help fund different events that are done through the organization such as alumni weekend and rush. Understanding what will be expected of you after you become a member is important to inquire about when you are rushing so you can see where you will fit best not only personality wise, but also considering your time and financial situation. Over the next week, I'll take you back to my greek life days and what it taught me and how it connects to my life today.
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