When I first arrived at campus, I didn't really know why I wanted to go Greek, I just knew that it seemed fun and exciting and looked like something that I wanted to be involved in. Of course we have all heard the stereotypes about Greek life. Everyone has heard people say of they are only Greek for the parties, t-shirts, formals or even the association of being "srat" or "frat." As students, we've also all heard, "They're only Greek because they were able to buy their friends, otherwise they wouldn't be Greek." After hearing all of these stereotypes, of course, I became weary of Greek life and I began to wonder what Greek life was really all about. I soon realized that Greek life wasn't even close to the stereotypes that I had heard about it, in fact Greek life wasn't even close to the stereotypes. I realized instead that Greek life was more about leadership, helping others, growing as a person and making lasting friendships and bonds.

Starting in a new place, with a lot of new people was, of course, exciting, but still scary, so I was determined to find new friends and to make my own path, but I didn't know where to begin. I started by looking up to the upperclassmen to see what was fun to do on campus, what I should get involved in and started trying to learn all of the ins and outs of campus. As we continued to get closer to the week of formal recruitment, I began to notice what each girl that I saw in my classes or during informal recruitment was involved in because I was trying to figure out how to begin my path that I was so determined to set. I soon realized that most of the girls who were excelling in the classes I was in, who were very involved with events on campus and the girls who I looked at and thought, "Wow, I hope that will be me in two years," all had one thing in common, they were part of the Greek system.

By the time that I started the formal recruitment process, I realized that going Greek was a lot different than I had initially imagined. I first realized that as I went from house to house I began to see girls who were thought of as prominent leaders on campus. In each house, I saw girls who I had previously had a conversation with, who had shown me which classroom to go to, and even girls who had just offered a smile and a simple "Good Morning!" as they saw me headed to class. After seeing all of this, I realized that I should go Greek, not for the t-shirts or for the formals, but for the girls in the houses and for the opportunities that would be available to me. After going Greek, I can say that it was one of the best decisions of my life. Through Greek life, students are offered many leadership opportunities that they would not normally have, these can range from officer positions that teach you how to improve your leadership skills to tasks and duties that teach you how to use your strengths and improve your weaknesses. In addition, each Greek organization has a national or local philanthropy that they are able to not only raise money for but to also be personally involved with. This allows students an opportunity to be involved on campus as well as to be involved off campus and in our communities. Greek life also allows students to get closer to people whose paths may have not crossed otherwise.

I can honestly say that I have met some of my best friends through Greek life and that we have nothing in common besides the fact that we are all Greek. After going Greek, I can also say that Greek life is 100 percent not about the t-shirts, swaps, or formals (even though they are fun). Greek life is more about the friends and relationships you create, the leadership skills you gain, and the opportunities to be involved on and off campus, that you normally wouldn't have. I truly believe that Greek life allows students to become the best version of themselves and allows students to become better connected with others while on campus. I urge everyone, no matter if they think Greek life is a good fit for them or not, to go through formal recruitment and to interact with people in every house. I promise you won't regret it and that Greek life is way more than the stereotypes that are associated with it.