With sorority recruitment coming up, you may still be questioning whether or not Greek life is for you. Whether you choose to go through recruitment or not, it's always a good idea to be informed and not just follow stereotypes from TV and movies, and, let's face it, other people. From the perspective of a member in her fourth year of Greek life, here are 10 things you should know if you're considering joining Greek life at your campus.
1. It may take a while for you to find your "people."
Even though you'll eventually make friends, it doesn't always happen on day one. Just as in everyday life, good things take times, and sometimes it takes a couple of weeks or even a couple of months to find your close friends, and your core group could grow over a span of years. That doesn't mean you should be discouraged when you haven't found a squad the first week (no one else has either).
2. Greek life is definitely a commitment (and it's worth it).
If anyone tells you that there's not a time commitment involved in Greek life, they're lying. If you want to get anything out of being a member of a sorority or fraternity, you'll have to put time into it. Go to events, and you'll be happy that you did.
3. Your sorority or fraternity doesn't have to be your entire life.
Despite the time commitment, Greek life isn't meant to monopolize all of your time. Even as my time as an officer my sorority's executive board, I maintained membership in other clubs, organizations, and formed best friends with people not in Greek life. This is not only possible, but common.
4. Academics can (and should) still be your top priority.
If you're considering Greek life, chances are you're also a college student. As you might suspect, being a student means that your first priority is school work. Being in Greek life doesn't change that!
5. Being a member of Greek life turns you into a leader.
When I first joined my sorority as a freshman, I was eager to become a leader, but lacked the confidence to do so. With the help of the women I had only known for a few months, I was given the reinforcement I needed to run for a leadership position, and my sisters help me develop my leadership style today.
6. Your membership will extend beyond just your four years of college.
This is something I could not have possibly understood before becoming a member of my organization, but it's become one of my favorite parts. The network you have access to from joining Greek life extends beyond your time as a collegiate, and certainly just beyond your college. You have the opportunity to meet sisters from chapters at schools from all over the country, and even after you graduate, you can stay involved in your organization.
7. You're not just paying for your friends.
A tale as old as time. "You're just paying for your friends!" people say. The reality is, the dues you pay go towards activities for you, programming, apparel, and events. You'll make friends, but it's not because you bought them.
8. Not everyone in your chapter will be your best friend, and that's okay.
With as large as some Greek organizations are, it's silly to think that you'll be best friends with everyone. But even though not everyone will be your friend, chances are you'll find some of your best friends.
9. It's nothing like in the movies.
The stereotypes you see just aren't true. Greek life is more about forming friendships and the moments that happen when you're watching a movie in your pajamas eating an XL pizza with your friends than it is about partying all the time.
10. Things may change from the time you're a freshman to when you become a senior, and that's okay.
Every year when one class graduates and a new one comes in, the culture of the chapter shifts. It won't feel the same every year, but that's exactly why Greek life is so exciting and worthwhile.
