As a senior in college looking back, my decision to join a sorority is a huge reason my experience has been full of success and bliss.
I was a “late bloomer” and had been convinced to go out for recruitment my junior year. I was hesitant at first because joining Greek life was never apart of my plan, but I can honestly say joining a sorority was hands down the greatest decision I have ever made.
For some reason, Greek life has this negative stigma. People make assumptions that Greek life is centered around partying, paying for your friends, and knowing as many frat guys on a first name basis as quickly as possible. Truth be told, this is not the case whatsoever. A sorority is a group of women who help empower one another through love, support, friendship and most importantly, define the true meaning of sisterhood.
Here are six reasons why joining a sorority has changed my life for the better:
1. Amazing friendships
Throughout the past the year I have developed so many wonderful, life-long friendships. It’s understandable that when you have a room of 50+ girls there is going to be some drama and tears, but I can proudly say that my chapter has pushed through it all. We are constantly growing and our sisterhood only gets stronger over time. I admire at least one thing about every single one of my sisters.
2. There is always someone to do something with
I mean it! If you want to go grab something to eat, go to the library, go to the mall to shop, run errands, or even grocery shop at least one sister is always available and wants to go. You never have to worry about doing anything alone ever again!
3. Philanthropy and community service projects
These events are beneficial and some are extremely fun. We participate in largely impactful projects where we raise money and supplies for a certain organization or population of individuals who are struggling. While that overall concept is disheartening, we have a blast running the events, raising money, and the satisfaction of seeing the look on these people’s faces when we deliver what we collected.
4. Picture lovers
If you hate taking pictures, you’ve been warned. Sorority girls LOVE taking pictures, and even if you don’t you will be forced to take them. Sorry not sorry. Your family, especially your big, will make you take multiple pictures at every.single.event, and not just your average smiling picture! You will have to take pictures holding hands, squatting, on one another’s back, blowing glitter at the camera, holding props, etc. It sounds intense, but you can always rely on your sorority to provide you with some quality Instagram photos.
5. Positions/Leadership opportunities = BOMB RESUME
Within a sorority there are multiple positions that help integrate you into the chapter. Each position requires a certain level of commitment and responsibility. I highly suggest taking positions the second you join! When you take the minor ones first it builds your leadership and profession skills, and prepares you for the higher-up positions, such as e-board, that require an extensive amount of dedication. Your positions are also applicable! Aside from benefiting your leadership skills, they add depth to your resume!
6. Crafting!
Need I say more? There will not be one empty spot on any of the walls in your room. There will be times where you need to pull an all-nighter crafting or end up chugging a bottle of wine because you’ve been crafting the past seven hours and are no where near done (although the look on your big/little’s face when they see what you made makes the hand cramps, tears, and stress worth it!) Also, when you receive crafts from them it makes your heart melt. While canvases, picture frames, decorated bottles, and paddles do not seem like much, when you receive them you cannot help but smile and feel grateful.
Now, I know joining Greek life is not within everyone’s path; it wasn’t on mine either! But I truly mean it when I say joining a sorority has changed my life for the better. If you’re struggling and want to be more involved, I highly suggest rushing. Recruitment can seem intimidating, but I promise you behind the line of girls chanting and clapping at you are a group of women who want you to find your home no matter what sorority you get into.