If you're in college, there's a 9/10 chance a Greek life presence exists at your school. Whether it reaches the colossal level of Alabama's greek row or consists of one small fraternity/sorority, there is no denying that Greek life plays a huge role in college life.
Unfortunately, with that role comes the inevitable stereotypes that have given it such a negative rep. Admittedly, some of the stereotypes are hilariously true, especially with sororities.
Yes, we do all wear the same letters, dress up in heels, and like to go out. But we are a collective group of individuals that wanted to be a part of an organization made up of girls we like to be with.
Going on my third year of college and my second year in my sorority, it's time to put certain notions of what it's all about to rest. No one appreciates bias, but I was once ill-informed and made jokes about sorority life before I decided to put myself out there and join one. I know both sides of college and neither is worse than the other.
1. "Joining a sorority is just paying for friends."
Let me start by saying that money was one of the big reasons that I didn't immediately join one. We don't like to pay dues or feel like every cent should go to our organization. Dues are necessary because it is money that is not only set aside for certain functions but also for our respected philanthropy and active national organization. Many hope to make friends as they go along because a sorority presents hundreds of different girls to meet, one of which you're bound to have something in common with.
2. "Sorority girls only wear letters and Lilly Pulitzer."
There should be no shame in wearing letters just like there should be no shame in wearing a shirt from your own club. Some of them we get for free and others just look nice and are comfy to class, since college is tiring. There will be girls who are the epitome of "Lilly Pulitzer, all pink and glitter" in a sorority and there will be girls who can't stand to dress up and will wear the same pair of jeans for a whole week.
3. "Only pretty, blonde girls are in sororities."
This is actually painful to hear in more ways than one. It's not because I'm blonde myself but because it indicates girls who are only valued as marginally attractive can join a sorority. In an age where women are constantly torn down, the last thing we want anyone to think is that someone is less than worthy of being able to join. All different kinds of girls with all different kinds of backgrounds are in sororities across the nation and none joined because they felt they were pretty and wanted to be around equally pretty people. They joined because they wanted to be involved in school, wanted to make friends, or maybe went through a hard time and needed something to make things better.
4. "The only thing sorority girls do is party."
I'll be honest, a lot of girls in sororities like to go out. You're correct in thinking it's part of the culture. We're exposed to not just hundreds of girls in our own sorority but hundreds of girls in all campus sororities and their respective fraternities. But you're incorrect in assuming it's the only thing we do or the sole reason we joined. Many girls I know did it as a way to get involved with philanthropies or represent an organization on a national level. Expanding your circle is a natural thing to want in college and joining Greek life is a good way to do it. It's not all about the wild times but the times that matter with people that matter.
5. "Half of them don't know each other and aren't really friends."
In a school of over 30,000 and the connections you'll make in any aspect of college, you are not going to know everyone. Even in my smaller sorority, I can't get to know each girl on a personal level. I wish I had the time to sit down with all of them to talk but it's simply unrealistic. It's knowing that I can rely on any of them to help me and feel included, even if I'm close with only a handful, that makes the experience worth it.
To the girls who have just rushed a sorority or are thinking about rushing one, I wish you nothing but a fun and enjoyable experience! And to my sisters of my sorority, thank you for introducing me to some of my closest friends in college!
