When I was growing up, for as long as I can remember, I dreamed of going off to college and eventually joining a sorority; one in which I would have several sisters and, because of that, make some of the best memories of my life. Once I finally graduated high school and enrolled at SUNY Oneonta, I quickly realized that finding the perfect sorority (for me) was going to be harder than I had originally thought. At SUNY Oneonta, there are countless sororities, all which are filled with fun and unique people; knowing I’d have to choose the single sorority I really wanted to join was quite the struggle, especially for an already overwhelmed freshman.
As my second semester freshman year started, I was contacted by a few sororities who expressed their interest in me, and I was both amazed and relieved that my dream of being in a sorority might actually come true. Nonetheless, throughout the rush process at Oneonta, I was very confused by all of the events and the selection process, among a number of other facets of Greek life. That being said, all of the sisters, in various organizations, were very helpful in easing my nerves and alleviating some of my anxieties, while also encouraging me to follow my heart. For me, that sorority was Alpha Kappa Phi–an organization that has been on SUNY Oneonta’s campus since 1892.
The single most valuable thing I can stress is that when I was with the sisters of Alpha Kappa Phi, during events, I felt at home. As the rush process was coming to an end, I received a message that I had in fact been extended a bid from Alpha Kappa Phi. I will never forget that day and that feeling of knowing that I would soon be their sister. After a few weeks and formalities, I was officially a sister of the Alpha Kappa Phi. For me there was so much gravity in that single fact alone; I knew being a part of such a sisterhood would change my college experience entirely and in the absolute best ways.
I’ve now been an Alpha Kappa Phi sister for almost a year now, and in these last few months, I’ve noticed that there are significantly more perks to being part of such a sisterhood; especially in comparison to what I had originally thought.
One of the many perks, of being in a sorority, that I have noticed lies in the fact that I have met so many amazing people in different sororities and fraternities, some of whom have become my best friends. Once I officially joined Alpha Kappa Phi, I began attending events in which I was able to socialize with members in other Greek organizations, all of whom were very inviting. At first, I’ll admit, I had the same preconceived idea many people have–that varying sororities and fraternities disliked one another, but I have been proven to be utterly wrong about that. The vast majority of people that I have since become close friends have been my pledge brothers and pledge sisters of varying organizations, who received their bids the same semester I did. I’m very thankful that the Greek community at Oneonta is so friendly! It’s crazy to think that wouldn’t have been able to meet some of my best friends if I hadn’t joined Alpha Kappa Phi.
Another positive outcome, that has resulted from joining a sorority, has been that I have been given many opportunities to greatly expand on my leadership skills. I have gained such experience by taking on positions within the sorority. Within a sorority, there are many people who hold powerful positions that oversee certain functions and thus have particular duties and responsibilities. All of these positions, which consist of both, non-executive and executive board positions, are vitally important in maintaining a happy and balanced sorority, one in which all of the needs of the sisters are not only addressed, but also met. Personally, this semester I have been able to earn the positions of Fundraising Chair and Assistant Treasurer; both of these positions will help me improve on my time management and organizational skills, and I’m very excited to hold more positions, within the sorority, in the future.
Last but not least, the most important and influential perk, I’ve come to realize, as far as being part of a sisterhood, such as myself, is that I now have a group of girls that I could go to for anything and everything; when I first came to college, I barely spoke to anyone other than my roommate, which led to a very lonely, boring, and isolated semester. During my second semester, though, I felt that joining a sorority would be a good way to meet new people and be a part of a sisterhood. Ever since I joined Alpha Kappa Phi, nearly a year ago, I am happy to say that, I have truly been blessed in that fact that I have joined an organization in which I love each and every person, and am grateful to call them my sisters. Greek life is an amazing opportunity. You are given the freedom to join an organization filled with people that you are comfortable around; people whom you can go to whenever you need something; this is why I always tell my friends to meet all of the Greek organizations at SUNY Oneonta and to follow through with the sorority or fraternity that they feel that they belong in.
I would absolutely encourage anyone who is interested in joining Greek life to go to events and meet all of the wildly diverse organizations. Finally, I hope that you find the sorority or fraternity where you feel that you belong!
HCXO,
Kat