Until I came to college, my “knowledge” on Greek Life was made up of movie scenes and the classic stereotypes that surround sororities and fraternities. As soon as I started interacting with people at my university, I realized that those stereotypes are completely wrong. Greek Life isn’t all about throwing a huge toga-themed kegger every weekend, it’s about creating memories that will last a lifetime. Not only do the members of fraternities and sororities become like family to each other, but they are also very involved with campus events and philanthropy. Many of my close friends are a part of Greek Life at several different colleges.
Ever since I started meeting people on campus and learning about their experiences with Greek Life, I became interested in joining. Even though I was interested, I let recruitment pass by a few times. I knew when they events were happening, I just didn’t go because I was nervous. I was nervous that joining a sorority would be too demanding, that I wouldn’t fit in, and that I wouldn’t get a bid. I’d heard horror stories about how if you don’t get a bid you become a social outcast, but I now know that’s not the case. If you don’t get a bid, it’s probably nothing personal. The members of Greek Life will still be your friend even if they can’t give you an invitation to join their organization.
After finally conquering my fear of being “too awkward” to join Greek Life, I finally went to a sorority’s recruitment events. I was extremely nervous as I walked up to the group of girls sitting in front of Starbucks on the first day. I kept telling myself that all I needed to do was act like myself and they would like me. Luckily, it worked. The girls laughed at my jokes, asked me questions about my interests, and even said that they were sure I’d be a great addition to their organization. I was ecstatic. By the end of the day, I had gained a ton on self-confidence and some new friends. Throughout the rest of the week, I continued to learn about what the sorority stood for, the sisters, and my new friends that were rushing along with me.
When I learned that the sisters would be handing out bids on the last day of recruitment, all of my anxieties returned. I was scared that I wasn’t going to get a bid. When my boyfriend got a FaceTime call from one of his friends, who just so happens to be in the sorority I was rushing, I was wondering what it was about. He handed me the phone and I saw a screen full of sorority sisters inviting me to be a part of their organization. They gave me a bid. My face instantly lit up and I accepted the bid. From the moment I got off FaceTime until the moment I fell asleep, I babbled on about how excited I was to become a member of Greek Life. I’m sure my boyfriend was exhausted, but he listened to every word I had to say.
Getting a bid made me feel important, loved, and wanted. I haven’t had a good group of girl-friends in a long time, so I’m happy that I get to have that now with the sisters. I’m so excited for what is about to come my way: big-little bonding, philanthropy, sisterhoods, and so much more!
