When I was younger I had always wanted to be in a sorority. I had no idea what they stood for, what they involved, or really anything at all. I just liked the idea of them — whatever kind of ideas a seven year old girl could imagine in her head.
As I grew older I started to hear more and more about sorority life and sorority “stereotypes.” I thought I knew it all, I thought I knew what sororities were about.
When I got to college I knew I wanted to go through the recruitment process, but as I was going through the process I realized I had no idea what I had gotten myself into. I was taken off guard and surprised, sometimes in good ways and sometimes in not so great ways.
One thing led to another and I found myself being immersed in the “sorority culture.” I wasn’t too involved during my freshman year, but this year I’m living in the house and have the role of internal social chair.
I think because I was so misguided by sorority stereotypes that I wanted to debunk a few myths and share with you why I think being in a sorority is such a positive, amazing, communal, and uplifting experience.
- Living in my sorority house has taught me so many life lessons. From learning to live with 60 different types of women, to sharing space, to understanding how to make a positive impact in a community space.
- I’ve learned how to collaborate with different people for different projects. From designing cover photos on Facebook to having serious conversations with people, I’ve learned how different approaches with different people for certain things might be more beneficial than others.
- I’ve learned that girls are so unbelievable powerful and uplifting. I think sometimes people (especially girls) get caught up in an unspoken and unnecessary competition. Being in a sorority has taught me the importance of working together to solve problems and working together to make a positive impact.
Of course there are the more fun sides of living in a sorority house — from sharing 60 closets to going on random spontaneous trips to a go-kart place — but for the most part, I’ve learned countless lifelong lessons. And for that, I am forever thankful.
If you’re considering joining a sorority, I say go for it. There are of course negative stereotypes and assumptions about sorority girls, but you can make a sorority what you want to make of it.
Thanks for reading!
xox
Chloe