Joining a sorority can be a difficult choice to make, especially if you’re unsure of the benefits of a sisterhood. Greek life as a whole can have a lot of negativity surrounding it. However, there is so much more to it than what the media and stereotypes display it to be. Personally, I was always terrified at the thought of rushing, even though it was something I always wanted to do. In my third year of university, I finally took the plunge and rushed (after some solid convincing from my roommate). I can confidently say that it was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my university career. I’ve grown and gained so much, and I thought I’d share some of those things here with you!
1. Leadership Skills
A sorority is a great place to learn how to become a leader. There are so many different types of executive and non-executive positions to choose from. Want to plan recruitment? Go ahead. Want to be VP? Sure, why not. The world literally opens up right in front of you and you learn that so much more work goes into running a chapter than you ever thought possible. Decisions need to be made, rules need to be enforced, and plans need executing. Through these positions you learn how to assert yourself, listen to others, and fulfill your own responsibilities. It builds a bond between your sisters and the chapter and, eventually, your sisters may even look to you for advice regarding various problems. Sororities build leaders through hard work and dedication, and there is nothing more satisfying than seeing all your hard work pay off!
2. Self Confidence
This was a big one for me. As someone who has always been a bit on the quieter side, I was afraid to speak my mind. However, the unconditional support I got from my sisters helped me learn how to love myself for who I am. A sisterhood provides so many opportunities for a woman to grow to be more confident in herself and her abilities. With all the leadership opportunities, socializing, and the general nature of a sisterhood, one learns how to project and assert themselves – which inevitably leads to a wonderful type of self confidence. The chapter has given me the confidence to state my opinion, express myself, hold positions, and be myself unconditionally.
3. Organization and Time Management
A sorority is a huge commitment. There are meetings to attend, events to go to, and projects that need completion. Due to all these things, it teaches you how to balance your time and that, in turn, makes you SO much more organized. Not only do you learn to handle all your chapter duties, but you also learn how to balance your academics and other extracurricular activities. You learn the ability to prioritize and tackle the most important and hardest thing first, and then manage everything else.
4. Social Skills and Networking Capabilities
Socializing is a huge part of Greek Life in general. You meet so many new people and make so many friends – which makes small talk a really valuable skill to learn. Honestly, I’ve never participated in so much small talk in my entire life until I joined a sorority. Not only do you get to meet others in various different Greek organizations, but you also get the opportunity to network with alumni and your other sisters. This is an invaluable skill and exactly where small talk comes in handy. Don’t be afraid to reach out if you’re interested in what a graduate sister is doing, they’ll be more than happy to talk to you.
5. Encourages More Community Involvement
Each organization has an associated philanthropy, and you learn that you can be charitable in so many new ways that you may have never considered. A sorority encourages more community involvement and, eventually, without you even realizing it, you start wanting to be more involved in your community. You start pushing yourself to do more on campus, more for your chapter, and just more for yourself and others in general. Community involvement is such an amazing and rewarding experience, and remember – a little always goes a long way.
6. Lifelong Friends
This is one of the most cliché things to say but it’s true. I’ve gained so many bonds and memorable experiences from joining a sorority. Your sisters will always be there for you, through thick and through thin, through all the tough times and all the good ones as well. The bonds you create and the relationships you make are irreplaceable, and they last till the end of time.
Want to learn more about Greek Life at UWaterloo? Check out these links below:
UW Sororities: https://www.facebook.com/uWaterlooSororities/
UW Greek Council: https://www.facebook.com/uwgreekcouncil/
Sigma Lambda Gamma: https://www.facebook.com/uwslg/
Kappa Kappa Gamma: https://www.facebook.com/kkgzetaomega/
Alpha Omicron Pi: https://www.facebook.com/uwaoii/