Forget what you think you know about the Greek system, because most of what you think you know is false. I'm sure you've heard all about the Greek system. In your mind, Greeks are just a bunch of rich kids who pay for their friends. All they do is eat pizza, drink beer, binge drink on weekdays, the list goes on. Let me stop you right there. It really sucks how the reputation of a Greek organization that has been around for over 140 years can just crumble in a matter of seconds based on assumptions and corrupted media. Here's what the Greek system is really about:
"Every girl in a sorority isn't a size zero with a spray tan and bleached teeth." I, of all people can reemphasize that. I've never tanned a day in my life, my teeth may not be perfect, and I sure as hell am not a size zero. But I have sisters who love me and they don't care that I'm not any of those things. And so what if you happen to be a size zero with a nice tan and bleached white teeth? That says nothing about the person you are. Appearances aren't everything, you know.
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"Not every frat guy is a rich smart ass" and "Not all frat guys wear those dumb shorts and Sperry's." Seriously though, when you think of a fraternity man, you shouldn't envision a stupid boy who walks around all day in shorts and Sperry's, uses girls, and brags about his parents' money. A fraternity man upholds a higher standard, even though it's hard to envision it after all those stupid movies.
"People think Greek life is all just meeting new friends and they don't really know that there's kind of a business side to it. Recruiting, budgeting, connections ... those types of things." Yeah it's fun to join a Greek organization and make a bunch of new friends. But how does that happen? Someone has to lead recruitment, and keep order. We don't just go to parties - we have meetings to attend, orders to be given, functions that need planning, the list goes on.
Philanthropy- something that we love. Shout out to my Philanthropy chair who does such an amazing job (You go Ang)! And a huge shout out to my chapter for raising over $11,000 for the Alzheimer's association this semester. In all honesty, I joined my chapter for philanthropy. I love serving, and I know that a lot of other Greeks do too! Speaking of serving, students that are involved in Greek life tend to give back to the community more than the average student. Maybe it's because we're introduced to service and with other things like that. But the Greek system does make you a well rounded individual.
Greeks have amazing opportunity for networking after college, and even in college. There have been so many opportunities from my sisters, for jobs, events, etc. Even for the small things, like babysitting for another sister. There's always an opportunity for you to be doing something.
Contrary to depictions in movies, Greeks are anti-hazing. We don't force alcohol on members, which brings me to this next point - not all Greeks drink. Believe it or not, there are good people in the Greek system who have values and morals (a little sarcasm for you there). Wipe the shocking face, it's true. Just because you're a Greek doesn't mean that you have to be a wild child. In fact, a lot of Greeks are regular volunteers, regular church goers, etc.
Greeks are allowed to have friends who aren't Greek. Just because you're in a Greek organization does not mean that you're limited to only Greek friends, and only from your chapter. Greeks have friends in other sororities and fraternities. I have friends I'm super close with who are in a different sorority than myself. So what if they're our "rivals" (not a real thing). Some of the girls in my chapter have roommates from completely different chapters. You don't have to have friends in the Greek system. You can have friends from other organizations or friends that share other interests as yourself, like my sister who plays magic (Love you, Whit). You don't have to "fit the stereotype." Be who you want to be and learn to be a better version of yourself with the help of your brothers and sisters.
Lastly, I'd like to emphasize that Greek chapters are collegiate. We are still in college. I've realized that we don't pay thousands of dollars to just play around and waste our time - so please understand that Greeks have something called study hours. Why? Because without college, you can't be in a Greek organization. This of all things is the most important. We still need to maintain grades and grade point averages, we still have to keep up with study hours and remember that we're a student before anything else.
That's right, it's not all about partying and drinking and "being a slut with all the frat guys on campus." It's about becoming a better individual, and learning with a community of others. It's the opportunity to network and expand knowledge, growing awareness for causes that are greater than yourself. It's about remembering that you're in college, and remembering your goals and working hard to achieve them. The Greek system is a good thing that too many people corrupt. Please inform yourself, so you don't make the mistake of calling it corrupt. The only person who makes it corrupt is the person calling it corrupt. Joining Greek life has been one of the best decisions I've ever made. I'm thankful for the amazing things I've gained thus far, and I hope that the negligent stereotypes made pertaining to the Greek life, slowly begin to diminish, so that people can truly see the positive impact it has on so many individuals. Go Greek!
