Going to college at a big, southern, SEC school it seems like greek life rules. The first question someone asks you when you meet them is "What sorority/fraternity are you in?" If you're like me and decided that Greek life isn't for you, your answer is "I'm not" or "I'm a GDI" (well, if you're a smarty pants like me.)
When I told people about my odd decision not to go through sorority recruitment, they seemed shocked. "How are you going to make friends?" "You have to, everyone does!" If you know me at all, you know I tend not to do what everyone else does. I thought a lot about rather or not it was the right decision, and now after finishing my freshman year I can confidently say that it was.
Before I explain, let me say one thing. I have absolutely NOTHING against sororities or anyone in them. My best friends are pretty much all in sororities, my roommate for this year is in one, my high school friends are in them. I don't dislike Greek life, or think its dumb at all. I've been to a ton of greek events and even work stickers for my friends sororities on game days. For a lot of people it is amazing and so good for them, especially coming into college. It just isn't for me.
And here's why...
My senior year of high school I decided I was going to come to UGA and had never even thought about being greek. I really didn't know anything about sororities until everyone starting talking about recruitment. This is the first point: Can you imagine college without it? I could. When I imagined college I thought of football games, tailgates, and nights out with friends. I didn't think about socials, date nights, and formal events. If you think about these things that's so awesome and I really hope you find a house that will become your home. But if you don't, that's okay too. You will still be able to experience college the way you imagine it to be, I promise.
Can you handle it? One of my biggest fears was that I wouldnt be able to handle it. Its a big time commitment and when I do something, I like to do it right. I didn't want to struggle to balance greek events, school, and work. I'm at school to get an education and I was so scared that I would either let my grades slip or not be all in for my sorority. If you are involved in Greek Life I am so impressed with you. I see how much of a commitment it is and its amazing how those involved can manage their time.
It's expensive. My mother is an accountant, therefore she is cheap. When I was deciding rather or not to rush, I talked to my mom about it a lot. She wasn't in a sorority, but she did rush (even though I'm pretty sure she dropped out after round 1.) My parents are amazing and support me in absolutely everything I do, but they do want me to understand the value of what I have. My and my mom decided that if I rushed and joined a sorority, I would help pay for it. This really wasn't that big of an issue, I've had a job for years and haven't had to pay for hardly anything other than food when I go out with friends. This allowed me to save money pretty well. I knew that however much my parents told me I would have to pay, I could afford. The problem was, my mom passed down her frugal gene to me. I didn't want to spend that much of my money. I thought about all of the other things I could do with that much money, and decided to keep saving rather than spend so much of it.
Obviously there were other things that played into my decision but theses were the main thing. And after a year being a gosh-dang independent at UGA I am truly the happiest I have ever been. I'm not going to lie to you, sometimes I was worried I had made the wrong decision. At first it was hard, especially the first week or two after bid day when it was the talk all over campus.
But I promise you, if you decide not to rush you can and you will enjoy college. You will make friends. There will be some crazy awesome srat girls at the end of your hall that will become your best friends. They will love and except you for who you are, greek or not, and you will have the best year of your life.
And to the girls that do decide to rush, good luck! I haven't met anyone that hasn't fallen in love with their new home. I'm so excited for you to find your new home and sisters!
