We've all seen the movies. We've all heard about their best triumphs and their worst mistakes in the news. We've seen the recruitment videos featuring girls blowing glitter. Before going Greek, these things were my only peek into sorority life, despite how surface-level (and often inaccurate) they are. I was always excited to join a sorority, and now that I've found my home, I would say without a doubt in my mind that it's been the best decision I've made in college so far.
The epiphany didn't happen immediately. On bid day, I didn't magically become best friends with everyone wearing the same shirt that I had just been given. I felt connected to them, yes, and I was beyond excited to be able to call these wonderful young women sisters, but I was even more excited to spend the next few semesters getting to know them.
Since that whirlwind day of seeing over 200 new faces and trying to remember more names at one time than ever before, I can't remember my life before my sorority. All the benefits that they tell you about Greek life still apply, such as the opportunities for philanthropy, the good grades, the professional connections, and the social events (and lowkey all the t-shirts you get are cool too). However, the things I value most about my sorority aren't quantifiable and aren't found in any basic statistics about greeks: my relationships with incredible people and the best (and worst) moments I've shared with them.
I couldn't even list every single memorable experience I've had with the girls in my chapter, but I can definitely talk about some of the feelings they give me. They make me feel wanted, like when I was absent in class and one girl thoughtfully texted me to tell me she missed me. They make me feel trusted, like when another girl who rarely opens up to people let me hold her while she sobbed and confided in me. They make me feel adventurous, like when we got a hotel room in the city and went a music festival together. They make me feel like I'm going to get a six-pack after laughing so hard when we're together. They make me feel supported when they remember that I have a big test coming up and offer to help me with studying, or wish me luck on it the morning of. They make me feel loved, like when my big rushed to my room immediately when I called her crying about the boy who hurt me. They make me feel like I belong because we all bring something unique to the table and our sorority wouldn't be the same if any of us were missing. They make me feel blessed because I couldn't have asked for any better people to call my sisters. They make me feel happier than I've ever been before, and I can't thank them enough for that.
My sorority is undoubtedly the best thing that's happened to me since college started, and I love them unconditionally. I still have many people to get to know, including the pledge classes yet to join. We're not like House Bunny and we don't wear flower crowns and blow glitter at cameras, but we are a support system, a home away from home, partners in crime, and a family, and I'm so grateful to be a part of it.
