When I joined a sorority my freshman year of college, it all seemed too familiar to me. At first I just thought that I had really found my home in the chapter I had selected. Sure, that might have been a part of why I felt so comfortable, but I started to realize that I had experienced sorority life for four years already...on a much larger scale.

I was used to embarrassing myself, stuffing my face with food, and embracing random dance parties on the spot, so opening up to my newly discovered "sisters" seemed simple, considering I spent the previous four years doing the same things at my all-girls high school.

Here are 10 reasons why I have gained "sisters" for life in both high school and college:

1. Your entire grade in high school is essentially your bid class. OK so you know EVERYONE either at school or in your chapter.

And you have close friends in every grade whether they are freshman or seniors, but your class is your core group. They've been through the most with you, and have probably seen you at your best...but choose to laugh with you at your worst.

2. Uniforms are chapter attire. You hate how much you love and miss your uniform, and get that same feeling when you show up to formal chapter knowing you look on point.

The only exception is out of uniform days or an informal chapter, in those incredibly rare instances, all bets are off!

3. Stu-Co holds so much power, just like Exec... (*wink wink*)

You aren't fooling anyone, we know the nuns/internationals are the women who really make the rules—you just try and enforce them.

4. Ceremonies and Ritual are necessary traditions...that get really old, really quick. I can reenact every assembly, ceremony, ritual, and initiation with my eyes shut. (But please don't make me!)

What will be forever stuck in my head more than my future husband's vows? The songs that are sung at all these events, I can (and probably have) sang them in my sleep.

5. Spirit Week vs. Greek Week. Aka the one time a year you believe that all the random dance parties have paid off and prepared you for the performance of a lifetime.

You've probably cried at the end of every production for the following reasons: You're overwhelming proud of what you and everyone else have accomplished; you're emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausted and you're not entirely sure what you are going to do with this new found "free time" since you no longer have practices.

6. Sorority Advisors are basically teachers that went to and now teach at your high school: The thought of doing the same thing has crossed your mind because it seems like a rite of passage.

But then you remember they sometimes have to give you detention or be at your standards hearing...which is enough to deter you from even considering it.

7. "Date" Dances/Parties: Boys are encouraged even though we know it will end up being girls on the dance floor by the end of the night.

And you can assume we'll perform our entire Spirit Week/Greek Week show...because obviously one girl brought the CD with her.

8. Service and Philanthropy are Non-Negotiable. Regular service hours are not encouraged, but required.

Putting on a fundraising event on is like riding a bike—you'll always know how.

9. Feast Days and Founders Day are the Biggest Celebrations. You can obviously expect cake.

Oh, and definitely plan on singing at some point—there are songs specifically for these days.

But what is probably the most important (and already assumed)...

10. No matter what, you share an unbreakable bond with these "sisters" that really cannot be explained.