I Didn't Go Greek, And That's Okay | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

I Didn't Go Greek, And That's Okay

I found my "home" somewhere else.

9
I Didn't Go Greek, And That's Okay
Ohio State University

Greek life as a whole is a wonderful community that does amazing things for so many people every year. Some of my closest friends belong to Greek chapters, and as I watch them live their lives full of chapter meetings and committee meetings and philanthropy events and lip syncs and semi-formals, I find myself wondering what my life would have been like had I chosen that path.

Greek life is the best part of some people's lives. I completely respect everything that the organizations stand for and represent. However, as much as I wonder sometimes what my life would have been like, I stand by the decision that I made as a freshman not to sign up for recruitment.

In the same way that some people are meant to play sports and some are not and some are meant to be involved in arts and some are not, some people are made for Greek life. And some, myself included, are not. That does not mean that the organizations as a whole are "bad," it simply means that I didn't choose that path.

Social sororities and fraternities are largely meant for incoming college students to find their "group." They help the scared freshman find a place to belong, something bigger to be a part of and their "home" while away at school. I had all this wrapped up in the music program. I had a place to belong to. I found my friends and my place to belong to and I didn't feel the need to look any further. I was home.

Perhaps the biggest reason that I didn't join was the time. I love being involved in things—so much so that I find myself in situations where I have five performances in one weekend, an audition then next, and another two performances the weekend after that. To say I am busy is an understatement—I am downright over-involved. I can't be involved in Greek life because I simply don't have the time. I don't like participating in things that I can't fully commit to, and to pledge my time to an organization when I know I am not going to be able to be at every meeting, participate in every event, or contribute to the chapter as a whole would be completely unfair.

I did not choose not to join because of anything self-righteous. I didn't think I was "better" than it. And—this is incredibly important—I did not choose not to join because of the typical anti-Greek stereotypes that float around. The decision was purely personal.

Some of my closest friends belong to Greek chapters, and I've witnessed all of the amazing things they have been a part of. For them, it is life-changing, something they use to identify themselves, and something they are incredibly proud to be involved in, and I think that's amazing.

But it's just not for me.

I didn't go Greek, and that's okay.

But whoever you are, wherever you fit, go out and find your "home," because in one way or another it's out there. Maybe it's music or theatre, maybe it's sports, maybe it's a club, maybe it's Greek life, or maybe it's just a group of close friends. Do what's right for you to find your place.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Gilmore Girls
Hypable

In honor of Mother’s Day, I have been thinking of all the things my mom does for my family and me. Although I couldn’t write nearly all of them, here are a few things that moms do for us.

They find that shirt that’s right in front of you, but just you can’t seem to find.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Reasons To Thank Your Best Friend

Take the time to thank that one friend in your life you will never let go of.

203
Thank You on wooden blocks

1. Thank you for being the one I can always count on to be honest.

A true friend will tell you if the shirt is ugly, or at least ask to borrow it and "accidentally" burn it.

2. Thank you for accepting me for who I am.

A best friend will love you regardless of the stale french fries you left on the floor of your car, or when you had lice in 8th grade and no one wanted to talk to you.

Keep Reading...Show less
sick student
StableDiffusion

Everybody gets sick once in a while, but getting sick while in college is the absolute worst. You're away from home and your mom who can take care of you and all you really want to do is just be in your own bed. You feel like you will have never-ending classwork to catch up on if you miss class, so you end up going sick and then it just takes longer to get better. Being sick in college is really tough and definitely not a fun experience. Here are the 15 stages that everyone ends up going through when they are sick at college.

Keep Reading...Show less
kid
Janko Ferlic
Do as I say, not as I do.

Your eyes widen in horror as you stare at your phone. Beads of sweat begin to saturate your palm as your fingers tremble in fear. The illuminated screen reads, "Missed Call: Mom."

Growing up with strict parents, you learn that a few things go unsaid. Manners are everything. Never talk back. Do as you're told without question. Most importantly, you develop a system and catch on to these quirks that strict parents have so that you can play their game and do what you want.

Keep Reading...Show less
friends
tv.com

"Friends" maybe didn’t have everything right or realistic all the time, but they did have enough episodes to create countless reaction GIFs and enough awesomeness to create, well, the legacy they did. Something else that is timeless, a little rough, but memorable? Living away from the comforts of home. Whether you have an apartment, a dorm, your first house, or some sort of residence that is not the house you grew up in, I’m sure you can relate to most of these!

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments