After starting college many colligate women decide that joining a sorority is a great way to get involved on campus. Some people join sororities for the social status, some join for the sisterhood and some people join simply because they are looking for something new. There are many different reasons students choose to pursue Greek life, but there are also many different reasons students choose to drop their Greek organization after joining. When someone drops a sorority it often seems like a topic everyone wants to scoot around. Nobody wants to talk about it because it can be an uncomfortable conversation, but I think that needs to change. I had the opportunity to talk to a few women who have dropped sororities and have gotten their perspective. Dropping is a different experience for every person, but is a very personal experience. Names and organizations will be kept anonymous for privacy purposes, but here are a few insights into what life is like after dropping a sorority.
“I dropped because I watched how girls in my sorority interacted with each other and I just felt as if it were fake and that we weren’t a real sisterhood and I didn’t want to be apart of it anymore. Life has been really good outside of it. I still have my same friends so that hasn’t changed and I have way more time to focus on my major and work and actually have time to breathe. The only difference is that I notice some girls that were in my chapter don’t really speak to me when they see me and I noticed that they did it with other girls when they dropped but other than that no complaints; no regrets.”
“Dropping was a super big change actually because I was super involved. First off, it was EXTREMELY tough to make that call. I dropped because I felt that it was actually taking away from my growth in other areas as an individual. While sorority life is great, and I make all the friends, got to participate in everything “I thought I ever wanted to be a part of.” I still love everyone dearly and I did go through a phase of “lostness” and missing sisterhood for a couple of weeks. I was given SO much more free time simply because couldn’t strain myself to sign up for all the things sorority begs you to do. It became more of a chore. It was enjoyable at times but as my second year approached in the sorority, I felt my personal growth vanishing, and the things I did for “charity” lost meaning. I fully believe there are some people that keep the passion for philanthropy and sorority’s help further them, but that just wasn’t my case. And I’ve actually learned to be more than okay with it!! In fact. I would stand by it being the best decision for me. Once I dropped I was able to find time to discover what I was passionate about in school. In life. Dropping also gave me financial freedom to where I am able to prepare better for the future and give back to the community (in a way that works for my budget) Serving quickly has become more joyful than ever because I’m doing it out of heart rather than being made to sign up for philanthropy events. While these are all good, it’s even more amazing to see the real effects of serving. It’s really humbling. While there are people I don’t talk to now that I dropped, i have become okay with that also, friendships have to be deeper than the simple “sharing of T-shirt’s”…there are still people I consider my best of friends that are thriving in their position in the sorority. And I couldn’t be happier for them! At the end of the day, I have make many more friends after dropping sorority. I chased my passions in school and am able to build networking connections with people I may not have had time to see before. I’m actually being pushed farther out of my comfort Zone as an individual without the confides of just one group.”
“I mean I do miss it; I honestly do. But with my busy schedule I actually have time to focus on school. I have more time to myself to focus on my family, my relationships. It was hard to do both. I’m so grateful for the girls I’ve met and the people a sorority brought me. I’m just so much happier being able to be on my own. It’s nice to enjoy to silence if not having Greek meetings every week. I can still participate in philanthropy events through residential college system. I feel much more at home in my res college anyway. Being a Greek was incredible but I know where my I finally belong.”
Thank you to the women who shared their stories with me. The decision to drop is not always an easy one, but I feel as if I understand more why some choose to do so. I hope through this article others will understand too.