This year, I chose to live in my sorority house rather than any of the other housing options at UCLA. While that decision was very daunting at first, I have come to really love and appreciate my time here. With that being said, it’s undeniable that sororities can be a little weird, and for sure it’s unlike any other living situation. Here are five things that make living in a UCLA sorority house unique:
- Traditions are always happening
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Sororities are all about tradition, and a lot of that means remaining mostly true to what the sorority would do when it was first created. Oftentimes, you’ll be getting ready in the bathroom and people will be frantically running around getting ready for tradition. What is usually the living room turns into chapter meetings with a bunch of girls filling every bit of space in the room. Our basement is filled with old memorabilia of past sorority events that we occasionally get the chance to look at. This part of being in a sorority took some getting used to; however, I eventually became accustomed to it and now even find myself appreciating it.
Alyssa Chew - Having a house mom
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A house mom is someone that is hired to watch the house and basically lives in it 90% of the time. In our case, she has her own room downstairs and occasionally manages people like the gardeners or chefs. My sorority’s house mom also has a pet dog.
- Random people coming into your home
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Friday brunches mean that everyone can bring a guest to come and eat at the house! A lot of the time, this event is packed with people, with everyone inviting their plus ones to hang out and enjoy our chef’s lovely array of dishes. Not only that, but new members of the sorority may also come in for things like tours. My sorority house honestly has a pretty good security system, so it’s never something to be too worried about.
- all the amenities are at your fingertips
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All UCLA students can agree that getting to campus can be a bit of a workout. When I lived in the dorms, walking to my furthest class would take half an hour! Not only that, but the Hill is also very spread out, meaning that I would constantly be walking ten minutes to get to my car or to get mail. In my sorority house, everything is close by, making it feel even homier.
- The best part – having a chef
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I absolutely adore not having to cook. Instead of planning meals, lunch and dinner are as easy as walking downstairs to an array of meal options. Although meals aren’t served on weekends, not having to scramble to figure out dinner during a jam-packed week of school is honestly really nice.
Living in a sorority house definitely has its quirks, but with time, I’ve gotten really used to them and have learned to love all its weird aspects. I’m really glad I chose to live in this kind of communal space, as it has easily become home to me. The dorms definitely were an unforgettable experience, but I’ve found that living in a sorority house is much more comfortable and home-like. My sorority house has given me a home away from home that I cherish.