Let me preface this article by stating a few things; I have never been a girl’s girl. I never trusted having a large group of girls as friends, to me it seemed too dangerous and I never felt safe or comfortable. I won’t lie, my pledge class was intimidating at first. It was a little scary to be around all of these gorgeous girls bonding with actives. I couldn’t help but think for a few days that maybe there was a mistake or that I was the pity pledge. During the first few meetings, I felt out of my element. It wasn’t until our new member retreat, that it clicked for me. I rushed and accepted my bid because I wanted to be a part of something, I found that something in Alpha Phi.
I don’t know if you’ve seen Sydney White, Neighbors, House Bunny or even So Undercover, but sorority women have always been stereotyped as a bunch of airheads painting their nails and having slumber parties; mean girls who target the quirky ones on campus, or girls who strive for perfection and power in their everyday lives. Basically, sorority women are shown as girls who don’t support other girls. Let me tell you this is far from the truth. A sorority is a community of women who have bonded together based on the similar values they share. A sorority is a group of girls you can lean on when you need it, they’re your family when your’re far from home, and they genuinely want to help their community as much as they can. As cliche as it sounds, they really are your sisters. So here’s what I’ve learned:
Not everyone is going to like each other.
The sad fact is that when you get a large group of people together, it’s almost impossible for everyone to get along all the time. But this is isn’t an expectation, the expectation is to be kind to one another and respect your sisters. At the end of the day, you have to be able to come to them for support, and you should be comfortable doing so.
You get out what you put in.
You hear this a lot when you’re part of greek life, but it’s true. If you want a deep bond with your sisters, you have to show up to the events. If you want that feeling of community, you do need to make an effort to be a part of it. It won’t come to you.
It’s a large time commitment.
This goes with the last point, but being in a sorority is definitely a time commitment. One of the biggest values shared throughout the greek community is philanthropy, and with this value comes exepctations. With mandatory meetings, community service hours, and required study hours, you will need to make time for it in your schedule.
The Greek community is a real thing.
This was one of the biggest shocks I had when I joined. I believed that, for the most part, houses kept to themselves, but here at the U there is a big push for houses to intermingle. You wind up bonding with people from other houses because they understand how much being in the sorority means to you.
Nothing you have heard is true.
The sterotypes about each house are far from the truth. Repuatations were created years ago, and those who upheld them are no longer in the house. Each house is full of expectional individuals who are accepting of every single person regardless of gender, sexual orietation, or race. So, as someone who is in a sorority, please do not make easy comments about a house you know nothing about. People spend money to be in those communities, and they truly are happy there.
There is no easy or quick way to explain how truly amazing my house makes me feel. I can tell you that my sisters are a gift, and that my pledge class has quickly become my new family. My “Phamily” at Alpha Phi make me feel at home. I cannot wait for the next four years with these girls!
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