When I mention that I was in a sorority to people, no one believes me. People say things like “you don’t seem like the sorority type” or “I bet you were a real good time.” Needless to say, those comments are all wrong. You cannot base the entire existence of Greek Life based what you see in the movies or on television. There is a deeper bond between these sisterhoods and brotherhoods where you not only do make friends, but you find a family away from your own that has your back through the ups and downs of college.
One of the skill sets I gain while being in school was relationship development. I had always been a good conversationalist, but through my leadership roles in my sorority and trying to find my place in the dance department I gained a newfound confidence that I can only describe as self-worth and individuality. When I was in high school I was shy and more on the quiet side. I kept to myself unless someone spoke to me first. In college, I become the extrovert I was always meant to be by understanding that everyone was a little scared. Society has a tendency to put self-worth based on body size or how pretty you are as a woman. I realized I was never going to be the prettiest girl in the room or be the girl that was going to sleep around, but I knew that I was more intelligent than most and I used that to my advantage and protected my sisters that needed it.
After college, I worked in the entertainment industry for almost fifteen years where everything is about networking, being a master at your work, and knowing how to build a relationship when that person doesn’t want to have anything to do with you. So how does all this relates to sorority life? One word – RUSH. During Rush Week in Greek Life, it is when all the freshmen and sophomores at college go to parties, Greek activities, and other one-on-one sessions with members to see how they mesh with the different groups on campus. At this time, the sorority sisters and fraternity brothers a feeling out the recruits as well as during this time there is no guarantee that you will get a bid offer from the organization of your choice, so you have to put your best foot forward. During these parties and activities, many of the girls I tried to get to know on a personal and individual level. What were they interested in? Did we like similar movies? Are there activities we could do together outside of Greek Life or was this relationship a one-stop and was going to only continue through college and not exist in the next chapter?
Rush taught me that even if a bid or a potential member doesn’t work out the relationship and the development of whom that person is becoming in your life are more important. It taught me to not be afraid to be vocal about my opinions and to connect with others who may be different. People who may be visually more beautiful than you have just as many hang-ups that they feel about themselves just like you. To this day, I still am in touch with some of my sorority family and many of the girls that I grew up with. We may not talk every day, but we can pick up right where we left off when we reconnect no matter how many years have passed.
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