What I Wish I Knew Before Joining a Sorority
I knew at a young age that I wanted to be in a sorority. I watched my sister be in one throughout her college career and I saw the impact it had on her, and I immediately knew that I wanted that too. I saw the friendships that she made and all the fun that she had. Not that it would have changed my decision to join, but now that I am an active sorority member, I can look back and say there are a few things I wish I knew before joining my sisterhood.
1. The girls really do become your sisters…
Yes, it’s true and no, it’s not a cliché; the girls really do become as close as sisters. Some of my best friends are my sorority sisters, and it’s great. I can talk to them about ANYTHING, (the boys I made out with, the fights with other friends, etc). They’re also the ones that will drag me out of the party when I’m trashed and had WAY too much to drink for any sane human being.
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2. …but you might not be friends with everyone.
This was something I felt confused about. I thought going into a sorority that I would be best friends with everyone that was a member. That is so not the case. Despite the fact that, as a chapter, we all stand behind the same morals and standards; we are all unique individuals with very unique character traits and you won’t get along with them all. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be nice to them, they are your sisters!
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3. You get out of it what you put into it.
The best parts of a sorority are the memories you make while you’re there. It’s the memories of the awkward mixers, the philanthropy events, and the sisterhood events that make your time in a sorority worth it. You won’t come out of the experience with multiple photo albums of good memories if you don’t put forth the effort to make them.
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4. T-shirts are a serious thing.
Seriously, it’s no joke. I went into college bringing some tees I had from home – BAD DECISION. I now almost cry anytime I have to put away laundry because my drawers are literally overflowing with t-shirts. There are shirts that you get on bid day, big/little reveal, events, PR, frat shirts…the list goes on and on. They’re a cool reminder of the fun times you had, but boy, do they literally take over your life and closet.
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5. You don’t have to go to all events.
Time management is a big part of joining a sorority. While you’re a new member, sorority is your life. Even when you’re not a new member, there are constantly things on the schedule, but the good news is, you don’t have to go to them all! You can say no to a sisterhood event or a give-back night if you know you have way too much homework. It’s also okay to say no to your sisters when they ask to go out, yet you have a HUGE test next week. Your sorority wants you to succeed, and they understand when you need to take a step back in order to do that.
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6. The sorority squat is a real thing (especially when you’re short).
From your first picture at bid day, you know the definition of a sorority squat. You know it even better if you’re short (I’m 5 feet, so I’m extremely familiar). I have used the glamorous and famously named pose for bid day, mixers, date parties, formals, big-little events, and anything else that may have a group picture.
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7. There are standards you have to live up to.
There is an actual position called Vice President Standards in my sorority. We are held accountable for everything; our actions in class, out of class, and on social media. If members of our sorority don’t feel like we are living up to our standards that the founders set out for us, we are sent to “standards.” It’s a place that tells us what we did wrong, and through that experience, we can grow into the women we strive to become.
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8. Some of your most awkward moments make some of the best friends.
Remember the time you went to a mixer and it ended up like a 7th grade school dance, or the time you fell in the bathtub at a party and your sister helped you out? All of those moments will help you meet your best friend. They help make stories that you are bound to never forget, and something that you’ll look back on and laugh at forever.
9. “From the outside looking in, you can never understand it. From the inside looking out, you can never explain.”
Cliché – I know. But, this is so true. Before going through rush, I couldn’t have told you what I was getting into. I wouldn’t be able to tell you the secrets I hold so close to my heart or the bonds that have formed. I couldn’t have told you the ways my sorority has touched my heart. Even now that I am an active member, I can’t begin to explain to you these things. The secrets of my letters will always be loved and guarded. I could never explain how my sisters truly formed a bond with me in 4 months. Most importantly, I couldn’t even scratch the surface on the ways my sorority has touched my heart and changed my life for the better.
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Feature image source: ufzta.
