As you may have seen around campus, sororities are getting their names out and saying “Go Greek!” so many times that you probably want to avoid them. Before I even decided to join a sorority, I was completely intimated by these groups of girls. They were all so happy and bubbly, and I was quite annoyed by them. Why do they look so perfect and why are they so happy to be at school? Originally, rushing a sorority was not part of my college plans because I wanted to focus on academics. It seemed like just a waste of time and money. One day I talked to a random girl in my class, she seemed genuine and sweet. She told me I should rush a sorority, not anyone in particular, and I brushed it off for a little while. As I talked to her more and more, I decided to give it a try. It wouldn’t hurt, and if anything I can always back out. Today, I am proud to say that that was the best decision I have ever made.

The best time of year is just around the corner: sorority rush week! Here is a little advice that I want to give to you: Do not be afraid to talk to these girls. They want to talk to you and get to know you. Introduce yourself and see if you have a connection with them. A group of girls in matching shirts and screaming/ singing at you is intimidating, trust me, I get it. Put yourself out there; you never know what could happen, you may like them! I was lucky enough to get to know a person who I had a connection with to encourage me to go Greek. This one person made me want to know more; I was curious. The t-shirts, glitter, and pretty faces are not the reasons I wanted to join. It is something deeper than that. I wanted something real, something that I am proud to say that I am apart of. As rush week went on, I met a variety of girls; some who talked more about themselves than anything, some who were nervous to talk to me, and then I met one girl who actually peaked my interest. She listened to me, got to know me, and most importantly, made me feel accepted. I was sold the first day I walked out of that recruitment room. Another piece of advice I want to tell you is to be yourself. I know you hear this all the time, but honestly, some people rushing want to make themselves out to be perfect. You want people to get to know you for you, not someone you are not. I was able to open myself up to someone who was a complete stranger at first. I am the type of person where it takes me a good while for me to be comfortable with someone, but I was not nervous or afraid to tell these girls about my life. I felt a connection. Just think about it, we join a sorority for the people. Not only is that the reason we join, but also the reason we stay. These girls did not judge me and they made me feel as if they were interested into what I had to offer. I had something real; something that would change my life.

I went from the girl to not think twice about rushing to the girl who loves being in a sorority more than anything. I have gained friends that mean the absolute world to me, my safe place when I feel like the world is against me, and opportunities that I am forever grateful for. There is nothing I am more proud to tell the world is that I am a sorority woman.