"I'll never join one. They're too cliquey" I always said. I bad mouthed the one my friends joined, I laughed at all of their matching t-shirts, those symbols they did with their hands, the fact that were shelling out cash left and right, all to make friends.
Maybe it was the excitement my roommate had when she got her bid during Rush Week, maybe it was my lonesome feeling because I felt like my friends and I were all too busy for each other anymore, or maybe it was just because I wanted more to do, more charitable acts to involve myself in. In reality, it was all three. My roommate was so happy and said she had found her home. I felt so alone when the semester started. I felt like I didn't have a purpose and I needed to be giving back. This is why I decided to do open recruitment for a sorority.
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I heard so much about this sorority: all of the events they hosted, how each woman was so unique, how they all did so much for each other. I told myself, "What will it hurt if I go to their house just once?" Nothing. It did not hurt anything. If anything, I left there feeling warm and fuzzy (gross, right?) and excited to return for the next event. I actually went back to my roommate about how cute and personable they all were.
When I got my bid, so much rushed through my head.
Will I have time for this?
Is this too much money?
What if I end up resenting them?
It was all there, but I ignored and followed my gut. I loved these women and I felt the love back. They were all going to be my sisters.
Being a sorority is not about cliques. It's not about the matching shirts for every occasion (they are cute though, I will admit). It's not about paying money to have friends. That's far from what the money is for. I have friends outside of the sorority, these women and I just share a passion that's different from anything else. It's about the time you spend in your chapter. You're handed so many opportunities right from the start. Volunteer opportunities, leadership positions, a sense of community, not only within your own chapter, but all of Greek life. If you are indecisive about the whole process, take it from someone who 100% couldn't stand the idea of Greek life for the longest time: it's worth it to just check out what everyone is about.
Year ago me hated sororities -- she bashed them and saw absolutely no point. Year ago me did not see this coming -- she is probably still shuddering at the thought of me in letters while crafting.
Year ago me was year ago me. I am ready to give this a shot. Like I said when I first decided to go to open recruitment: "What will it hurt?"
