Source: https://www.instagram.com/beta_washjeff/
Now in my fall semester of my last year of undergrad, I can say without a doubt that one of my favorite parts of the last few years has been joining Greek Life.
Coming in as a freshman, joining a fraternity never even crossed my mind. Of course we all know the stereotypes that come along with fraternities and sororities. Something I quickly realized was that I did not believe these once I started getting to know the upperclassmen on campus.
When the spring semester came around and it was time to attend rush events of the houses that I wanted to receive a bid to, I was extremely nervous and found myself becoming quiet at the events. Luckily, the brothers of the house I am currently a part of saw something in me and invited me to join.
I pledged in the spring of 2017 and I love that I live in a house surrounded by some of my closest friends as well as on the same street as many of my other friends who joined other houses.
If you are thinking about joining a Greek organization, here are some of the reasons why I personally decided to join.
Leadership opportunities
In all Greek houses, there are a plethora of roles that you can be elected into that teach you about leadership, organization and responsibility.
As a pledge, you don’t have the opportunity to hold a position. However, once you become initiated, you gain that privilege.
As a sophomore, I was elected to serve on the Executive Board as the Secretary. In this role, I had to take detailed minutes at our weekly chapter meetings and distribute those as well as keep track of attendance at meetings and events. I was also elected as the Social Events Chairman. In this role, I had a little more responsibility. I worked with the other Greek houses to plan mixers and social events and also took the time to plan our house’s spring formal, which was stressful yet fun.
Junior year, I was re-elected to serve as the Social Events Chairman for another year. I was also elected as the Public Relations Chairman. In my new role, I ran all of my house’s social media accounts as a way to keep our presence active and positive.
Friends for life
This point may be a little cliche, but I really believe it. One of the many stereotypes of Greek Life is that you are essentially buying your friends. That may be true at some schools; however, I do not find that to be the case in my school’s Greek system.
Since we can’t rush until the spring, I already knew so many other freshmen as well as upperclassmen who were Greek. Thus, my friends and I were already close pre-pledging and I knew the members of most houses just from socializing during the fall semester.
Even though we were already friends, I believe that my friends I pledged with became closer since becoming part of the house. I also became even closer with the older members since I moved into the house sophomore year.
Part of a larger community
Apart from my own house, I also love that I am part of a larger community when it comes to the other Greek houses on the street.
Freshman year, I had a couple friends who decided to pledge another house. At first, I wondered if this would affect our friendship, but it fortunately has not. Through mixers, social events, philanthropy events and more, I have become great friends with many people in other fraternities and sororities.
If we were not part of Greek Life, I don’t know if we would have the opportunities to get to know each other in the ways we have.
Despite all the negativity that many Greek Life systems get around the country, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and join freshman year.
I am so thankful for all the positive opportunities that going Greek has given me and I take every possible opportunity to reiterate that to those who have an interest in joining.
To learn more about my school’s Greek Life system, click here.
If you are thinking about joining a Greek house, I hope my reasons for joining inspired you. Leave a comment below if you’re part of a house and let me know why you joined!
Survivin' College 101 