Going to college can be a really confusing time. During your first few weeks of school, it’ll feel like you’ll be bombarded with information about what organizations to join, what classes to take, what essentials you’ll need to just survive those first few weeks. At least, that’s how I felt anyway. One questions that’s bound to come up will be if you’ll decide to go Greek or not. To help you make sure that joining a sorority is or isn’t the right thing for you, here are 10 reasons to join a sorority.
Gaining a Community
The first of the 10 reasons to join a sorority is for the instant community it gave me on campus. If you’re coming from out of state, or just going to a school that a lot of your high school friends aren’t attending, the thought of having no one to turn to can be really overwhelming. I felt lost in the hustle and bustle of the big school I was going to, and honestly, the thought of not knowing who I would even sit with during class gave me such bad anxiety.
Sorority recruitment allows you an opportunity not just to meet older women on campus as you tour the houses and find the best place for you, it also allows you an opportunity to meeting a lot of women your own age. Even if you end up not joining the same house, sorority recruitment will allow you to spend time with some really awesome people who will be in your classes later on. It’s a great way to be a part of a larger Panhellenic community that supports all women, not just the house you’re in.
Finding Good Friends
Sorority recruitment is truly set up in a way that allows you to find the best house for you. It’s a mutually selective process in which you get to pick your favorite houses and as you narrow down those houses through the week, you’ll be able to find a home away from home. The women in your pledge class and the women in your house will undoubtably have a lot in common. You’ll share the same values, the same reasons for joining the Panhellenic community, and the same passions.
The women inside your chapter will be more than just good friends, they’ll truly be a family and support system to you. I definitely don’t think I would be the woman I am today if it wasn’t for my sisters. Sororities are definitely an awesome way to find women who can be genuinely good friends to you throughout and beyond your college days!
Advice
College is overwhelming! There are a millions different directions that you can take at any given point in time, and having older women as a resource for advice about anything from boys to school to what show is great on Netflix right now is a definite reason you should consider going Greek.
My sorority sisters helped me with everything from evaluating what kinds of things I needed for my college dorm, what outfits I should wear to game day, to how to navigate difficult course loads.
Housing
Another reason to go Greek is for housing options. Most sorority houses have cheaper rent than what you’ll find in and around your campus. At my school, housing is about five thousand dollars cheaper per year living in my sorority house than if I lived on campus or in an off campus apartment.
Meal Plan
Depending on your school, sororities will sometimes offer a meal plan. For me, this was a huge driver in going Greek. The house food is a million times better than what you’ll normally find in the freshman dining halls, and the meal plan is much cheaper than either freshman meals plans or buying your own food.
Study Spaces
One underrated part of Greek life is the immediate access to study spaces. During midterm and finals weeks, everyone on campus will be making use of public study spaces in libraries, dorms, and academic buildings. Sorority houses will normally have large study spaces with access to printing, study materials, and even in some cases, communal books and tutoring.
Academic Support
Sororities require certain academic standards for those holding membership. For new members, these standards are normally higher than general members who have been in school for longer. With these requirements comes a ton of academic support to make sure you’re getting the resources you need to be successful in school.
Many sororities have scholarship dinners, scholarship families, and in house tutoring. As well as the academic resources, you also have access to older women who can advise on what professors are best to take, how to build your schedule in a manageable way, and even where certain buildings are. (Literally not knowing where to go to find your classes is the one of the most unexpectedly stressful things. It’s always amazing to have an older girl there to walk you to class and wish you good luck!)
Career Networking
A huge reason to go Greek is the access to alumnae and current members working for awesome companies. Two of my four internships were found through sisters in my house. Women will be more than willing to recommend you for positions. Not only that, they’ll also help you apply for jobs. Crafting resumes, cover letters, and writing samples are common exercises for sororities throughout the year.
Philanthropy
One underrated part of the Panhellenic community is the commitment to philanthropy. Sororities take pride in being involved in their community through fundraising events, volunteering, and raising awareness for causes. During the philanthropy round of recruitment, you’ll have the opportunity to learn how the different houses support a multitude of causes. Whether it’s breast cancer education and awareness, to supporting local hospitals, volunteering at children’s shelters, you’ll be able to find a cause that is close to your heart.
Fun Events
With sororities come access to awesome events where you’ll get a chance to spend time with women and alumnae from across the Panhellenic community. Sisterhood events, Panhellenic mixers where you get a chance to spend time with women from other chapters, alumnae panels where you can meet older women from your chapter, and date nights are just a few events that sororities host throughout the year.
These events will give you an opportunity to unwind during the grind of school. Plus who doesn’t love to dress up and have an awesome time with your friends?
These are just 10 reasons to join a sorority. Sororities can truly be an awesome way to meet a great group of women as well as take advantage of all of the resources and services that sororities offer. Check out your schools website to learn more about the recruitment process at your University!
To simplify your college journey further, check out How to Create the Perfect College Dorm.
