I was pretty active in anything I could find growing up. With two older siblings who were involved in everything I felt that I had to keep up and make sure I was holding my own with school and extracurricular activities. I like to believe that while my sister dominates in the “social” category and my brother the “academic” category, I’m a blend of the two ;)
I attended a few different post-secondary education institutions until I found one that was perfect for me. I’ve lived at a University that didn’t have Greek life, then became a commuter student at a different college, and at my last University, had the opportunity to become Greek or live as an “independent” student (meaning non-Greek).
Being from a northern fly-over state, Greek life is not big up here. When I looked at my housing options for my last University, I looked into their sororities, but wasn’t sure if it was going to be something for me – I hadn’t heard a lot about Greek life, didn’t know anyone in it, and had no idea what it really entailed. Once on campus and going through the recruitment process however, I discovered that Greek life was definitely something I connected with and wanted to try.
There are a lot of differing opinions about sorority and fraternity life and everyone experiences it in their own way. Here are some of the positive impacts Greek life has had on me:
Volunteer Opportunities
I enjoy serving others and in my three years being an active member of a sorority, volunteered for easily hundreds of hours. I had opportunities to be a volunteer that I otherwise would not have known about and then got to turn around and share the joy I found in volunteering with everyone else I came across. Each sorority and fraternity has a philanthropy for which they spend one week a year specifically raising awareness and money for that cause; it’s a packed week and the other fraternities and sororities are invited to join. Clothing/toiletry drives, helping at the food pantry, working with a local daycare, etc are all a part of being in Greek life. Not only does volunteering make one feel great because you’re making a difference, but here’s another thing – it looks great on a resume.
Friendships
I’ve heard a saying about Greek life: “Oh, so you bought your friends.” Yes I paid dues. However, I would say that most organizations a person joins has a fee associated with it – typically used to help cover the costs of the organization. When I headed down south to my last University, I didn’t know a single person there. It was nerve-racking, but I figured I would be just fine. I’d find my group to be with and that would be it. I did meet people I connected with right away – actually my first friend there, she and I ended up in different sororities. And that was okay, because I had all of these other people to connect with and so did she, but the sorority actually pushed me to be friends with everyone I came across. It opened doors to meet so many more people than I feel I would have met if I had stayed independent. And the friends I made there – they’re the real deal.
Networking
There are literally thousands of women who I am connected to through my membership in the sorority. Women who have amazing jobs, connections with other people, and want to help me succeed. No matter where I end up, there is someone there who I can look to for guidance. Networking is an amazing tool to utilize when you’re looking for a job and they want you to take advantage of it (and you should)! Even as a recent graduate, I’ve already told the new members in the chapter I was a part of to add me on social media and stay in contact with me. We are here to help each other.
Leadership Skills
There are leadership positions one can take within a sorority and fraternity that can directly be applied to one’s major, and leadership positions one can do because they find it interesting. Greek life is your biggest supporter and will push you to grow. And it’s not just within your sorority or fraternity, it’s campus-wide. That student conduct position? You’ll be told to apply for it. Class president? Apply for that too. Being a leader is something that comes with practice and again, looks great on your resume. When you have people backing you up, you’ll believe you can do anything – and you can.
I can say that if I had not taken advantage of Greek life at my school, my resume would not be as packed as it is. In the three years I spent as an active sorority member, I saw so much growth and change in myself – all for the better. Greek life was a great fit for me.
Have you ever had an experience that allowed you to grow and change in a positive manner?
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i wasn’t in a frat in school, and the only thing that i really feel like i am missing is the lifelong networking that comes along with it.. i still have many friends from college.. but those who are in fraternities and sororities seem to have connections with others, even if they didn’t go to college at the same time.
seedebtrun The networking goes a long way for sure! Many of my sorority sisters share stories after winter and summer break about meeting random women who are in the same sorority…it’s a bond that connects people instantly.
I did join a fraternity and while I enjoyed my experiences, I’m not sure I got much out of it that I couldn’t have gotten otherwise. My best friends are from that fraternity, but I think I simply would have had different best friends if I hadn’t joined. I also don’t really feel like my experience was rich with the other things you mention, part of which was my own fault and part of which was just my specific chapter. I definitely see how an organization like this (even if not specifically a Greek organization) could be very beneficial if run properly though.
Matt @ Mom and Dad Money I definitely agree with you that a lot has to do with what chapter one is in and how much they make of it themselves! I was lucky enough to belong to a very highly-ranked chapter within our sorority and we were some very motivated young women – always striving for excellence. If I hadn’t been at that chapter, my experience could have been quite different, I’m sure!
My wife was in a sorority while in school and she loved it for many of the reasons you listed. Having that affiliation has been a big help for her many times, especially in terms of networking.
FrugalRules That is so great to hear!
I was in a sorority in university too, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life. I really thrived and found my strengths while being an active member. I had never been much of a “joiner” before, but found myself with 3-5 different positions (we were a small chapter) and loving every second of it, while building skills I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise.
mylifeiguess Wow! 3-5 positions, that’s amazing! Which one was your favorite?
I was in a sorority too but it wasn’t one of those huge ones with 200 members…more like 25-40 depending on the year. I really enjoyed being in one and some of the girls are still great friends today. If it works for you, it doesn’t matter what other people say about it.
Beachbudget That is pretty small! Ours was smaller (than the usual amount of members!) as well, between 65-75 depending. It was nice because we all lived together and definitely allows really great relationships to grow; you also get to know every person in the sorority really well! I have to admit, I love hearing from alumni who still get together with their sorority sisters and are still best friends – so cute! :)
I did pledge a sorority, but I didn’t make it through. I don’t really like typing that, but it wasn’t for me. I had met a lot of the girls in other activities, and because our commuter school was small and close-knit, I figured it was the next logical step to take. By then I was a junior though, and most of my pledge class were freshman. I didn’t have much in common with them. Most of them came from very well-off families, had mansions, new cars, etc. I felt like the black sheep and didn’t really connect with anyone. After that, I joined another club on campus and made my friends there!
JourneytoSaving It works out different for everyone, that’s for sure. I was 21 when I joined so I completely understand not being able to connect with your new member class as it also took me a while. Living together helped my connections though because there were women who were my age and older in the sorority; still, I’m not sure how well it would have worked out for me had I commuted!
I did rush and got a bid but ultimately decided it wasn’t for me. I do think you can make lifelong connections and get doors opened if you belonged to a sorority or fraternity.
Eyesonthedollar You have to decide what’s best for you, I’m a big proponent of that! So far, I’ve definitely benefited from my connections and being able to network with other women who are members!
I was in a sorority and loved it – for the reasons you mentioned. It’s been 20+ plus years (yikes!) since I graduated and I have remained close friends with many of sorority sisters. I probably am a bit biased. I was my sorority’s president. My husband was the president of his fraternity. You know how the story goes. :)
TheHeavyPurse I loved it too :)
I love hearing from women who are still close friends with many of their sorority sisters as I feel I’ve made lifelong friends through my chapter. And that is so cute about you and your husband! I love it!
I did not join a sorority- my school, NYU, didn’t have much of a greek life or campus community in general being dispersed throughout NYC. I do, however, belong to several Ukrainian organizations (being half Ukrainian). Rather than 4 years, I got to spend my entire life in my cultural community which I’m still an active member of. Think “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”.
brokeandbeau Haha, that’s awesome! And definitely has some benefits to it, I’m sure!
I wasn’t in a sorority in college. I think I’m way too socially awkward to be apart of something like that but I recognize the benefits to being in one.Networking is the most major one. If you don’t network in college you’re wasting opportunities.
MonaSez Networking is huge and it’s so easy to utilize it!
My college did not have frats or sororities. Not sure I missed it as you just adapt and find other ways to connect and network with people.
KyleJames1 My first college didn’t either, but I was only there for one year. I definitely still connect with people from that school though on LinkedIn and other social media sites!
I’m in a fraternity. It definitely helped with my leadership and networking skills.
jbutler1914 It’s great to look back and be able to see where you’ve come from – I had so much growth in those three years for my leadership and networking skills. I also love seeing the other women grow as they go through it!
I never wound up getting involved in greek life but I had several of my residents go through the process while I worked as an RA. I never really liked the whole hazing and initiation process they make you go through. Granted, their isn’t any sort of physical punishment now as that has been outlawed. That said, I remember my residents having to memorize every little detail about the fraternities history. It seemed pretty excessive to me.
MicrosMissions That can definitely be a downfall for some. Personally, I love history so I loved learning about the background of the sorority, as well as loved learning about other fraternities and sororities histories as well.
I was never in a sorority. The events didn’t fit in with my class/work schedule and I didn’t really do the club thing in college either.
The closest thing that has allowed me to network and make friends is the recent FinCon13. Being part of such an amazing group of bloggers is awesome and those few days really helped me grow in a positive way :).
Erin My Alternate Life Life is always so hectic!
The blogging community is pretty great, isn’t it! ;)
My college didn’t allow any fraternities except for service ones. So the one we had APO, got a lot of members. I think Greek organizations are great ways to meet people for life which you may never get with all the clubs you were a part of. Part of me now wants to get involved with an adult club, like Rotary, to meet more people in my area.
Tara Zee I know a lot of schools that only offer Greek service clubs and they seem to really thrive. Joining an adult club sounds like a great idea! :)