I know what you're thinking, and I can assure you I'm not judging you for being in a sorority. I've watched first-hand sororities transform a person from someone with a few close friends and some acquaintances to a social butterfly who actually needs to manage their time between friends making sure no one feels left out. Almost everyone who joins a sorority tells you the same thing: "It was the best decision I've ever made in my life." So, how could anyone seriously hate anything that makes other people that happy? Truth be told; they don't. They probably just don't understand the process. If they got a taste for it, they would either love it and rush as soon as they could or learn to live with the fact that sororities just aren't for them. I'm the second one.
I went through recruitment this spring because my friends were rushing and I figured I'd try it out. I'm going to be honest. Hearing all of the girls talk about the amazing experiences with their sisters and all of the philanthropies got me excited. I went through two more rounds of recruitment and then during the middle of the week I got a call saying I didn't get called back. At first, I was a wreck. I called my mom hysterically crying while my friends sat out in the living room wondering if they should come in and talk to me or just give me some space. It took a little while, but then I asked myself why I was crying. It wasn't because my dreams of being in a sorority were shattered because those dreams didn't exist. I was tagging along with friends, piggy-backing off of their dreams. I was upset because of a deeper issue. I was already insecure about finding myself and where I fit in, and this was just another door slamming in my face. At least that's what it looked like at the time. When in reality, it was a bunch of other doors opening.
Once I realized that Greek life wasn't meant for me, I saw I was surrounded by endless opportunities to still live a full life and have the best college experience. I can get a job to help my parents out with my rent for next year, volunteer, join clubs to meet more people around campus and really push myself to excel in my major. These things make me feel excited for my future. These things make me feel whole.
In college, you have to be open-minded to a lot of things. Don't be one of those people who roll their eyes when the word "sorority" comes out of someone's mouth, but don't try to fit into something that just isn't working. You won't be happy either way, and I mean, being happy is the main goal in life, right? Find your niche. Surround yourself with positive people. The rest will fall into place. Sorority or no sorority, college is once in a lifetime. Live it up.
