Throughout the past semester, I have gone from being very timid around girls I barely knew during recruitment, to finally finding some of the most amazing young women I have ever met. In such a short amount of time I have learned that this cliché quote is the most honest way to describe the feeling of being in a sorority: “on the outside looking in, you can never understand it; from the inside looking out, you can never explain it.” I cannot thank my sorority sisters enough for helping me learn to open up and become a better version of myself. By joining Greek life, you are blessed with many perks including the following.

1. Volunteer opportunities

Yes, it might be shocking to people not affiliated with Greek life, but sorority members participate in countless volunteer opportunities every semester. By taking part in these activities, I get the best feeling of satisfaction. Whether it be volunteering at the local food bank or helping out at the nursing home, anything can be fun with your friends by your side. Helping someone in need while getting to hang out with your sisters? What could be better?

2. You gain a huge support system

College is a pretty stressful time, and can really take a toll on you mentally if you allow it to. Thankfully, I’ve found over 150 sisters this year that are experiencing the exact same stressors as me. Whether it be cramming for a test, you accidentally slept through your class, or even that you’re just completely unmotivated to get through the semester, there is always someone there to help you through it.

3. It has helped me step outside my comfort zone

Before I went through recruitment, I was always the type of girl that could talk to anyone but could never really make a strong friendship easily because of the fear of opening up to someone. After joining my sorority, I found that I started making friendships so fast that it was actually unbelievable. Before, it would take me years to become really good friends with someone. Now, it’s only been about 3 months and I already feel great friendships forming. Being able to feel so comfortable around a bunch of girls I just met seemed almost impossible until I found my home.

4. You’re pretty much guaranteed a library buddy/ gym buddy/ etc.

With over a hundred girls to choose from, let’s face it- there will always be someone willing to tag along with you wherever you’re going. Whether it be to the gym to work off that amazingly, unhealthy, greasy meal you had the day before or to the library to cram for the big test you have the next day, there is always a sister who is probably in the same position.

5. My sisters share many of the same morals as me.

During initiation week, I really started to gain an understanding of why I was placed in this sorority. I learned that the 100-something girls around me believed in the same morals. We take school seriously, we also cherish the memories we make on the weekends, and we genuinely care about the people around us. I have never met a group of girls more genuine and kind-hearted than I have through Greek life, and for that, I am forever thankful for the most stressful week of my life called Recruitment.