Okay, wow so I'm kind of bad at updating this blog. REALLY BAD. Maybe I can blame it on my recent travels, lack of internet from moving to a new place, and school starting back up in the spring... but let's face it. I just neglected it because life keeps me pretty busy. New Year's Resolution (over a month late) to write more here, perhaps?
Well, since my last entry a lot of exciting things have happened - fall semester came and gone, I was able to go to Japan twice, I started my second year of graduate school, I got to travel a lot, I flew tons of hours, and a new year started. WOO HOO, 2013! I guess the Mayans were wrong... I swear they just decided to party and enjoy some wine instead of making a calendar past 2012. I mean that's what I would do... making a calendar 3000 years in the future or drinking wine...? hmmm.
Anyhow.
The beginning of a semester is always a favorite time of mine because it means a new beginning. I get to see friends that went away during the break, I can purchase new clothes with the simple excuse of "it's my back to school wardrobe", and I get to meet new people.
Speaking of meeting new people, a big event at the start of ever semester that deals with meeting new people is Recruitment. Yes, GREEK LIFE!
Five years ago I went through sorority recruitment and I joined a sorority - and hands down, it was one of the best decisions I made during my undergraduate career. As an aviation major, most of my colleagues were men - I couldn't grab my fellow pilots for a pedicure! I decided to go through rush because my grandmother recommended me to Go Greek. She had a great experience being Greek, and I also thought it would be a great way to meet people outside of my major.
By joining a sorority I gained a "home away from home". As cliche as it sounds my sorority really became my home away from home. Being a military brat meant that my parents were 6,500 miles away; and who knew where Uncle Sam was going to send my family next. I couldn't leave my university to go home for a weekend like many other kids at my school so naturally my sorority became my secondary home.
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| Just my "home away from home" - the sorority house. |
I could go on and on about the positive experiences I had with my sorority, but tonight I wanted to share some great reasons on why you should Go Greek. As a freshman, I didn't have a good idea of what "Going Greek" meant - nor did I really understand what I was going through. I just kind of went with it. Looking back now, I was able to compile a list of positive traits in going Greek.
1) I already kind of mentioned this - but it's a great way to meet people! In many places, the Greek Community is tight knit and it will make the campus seem smaller. I can walk across my campus and run into at least a couple of people that I know from Greek Life. When I first came to my university, I knew absolutely no one. I mean NO ONE. The closest person from my high school graduating class was 3 states away! Going through recruitment allowed me to meet so many different people. In addition, once I joined a sorority I met people in other Greek organizations through chapter exchanges, socials, philanthropy events, intramural sports, and much much more.
2) Networking! Along with meeting other Greeks, you'll be exposed to an amazing network of connections. Being apart of Greek Life will allow you to know a lot of people - like I mentioned above, not just in your sorority or fraternity, but other Greek organizations as well! In addition, you might have the chances on getting to know people that share your letters at different schools! One time I got stranded in Atlanta after it snowed during a conference. With my flights cancelled, I was about to sit at the airport Tom Hanks a la The Terminal Style by setting camp at a gate, when I ran into a girl I met at the conference. Turns out her best friend at Georgia Tech was the president of my sorority at GA Tech, and long story short - they put me up for the night and made sure I was warm and safe before my flight the following day. Pretty neat, huh? A sister is a sister no matter where she goes to school. Plus, you never know who might know someone - it can lead to jobs, internships, you name it! I got my internship and several scholarships by knowing someone that knew someone. Six degrees of separation seems more like three degrees of separation after being involved with Greek Life.
3) You'll get out of your comfort zone - it got me out of my comfort zone! I was kind of shy when I first came to my university, but I rushed a sorority, got involved, and did great things with the sorority. I would have never imagined being on an award winning tug team (we got 1st place at Greek Week!) or representing my sorority in a Fraternity-hosted philanthropy event (and going on stage and performing a talent). In addition, I learned how to interact with a variety of people - Greek and non-Greek! My sorority hosts several philanthropy events, and when we reached out to our school and community I had to break out of my comfort zone and present in front of large audiences.
4) It's motivation! It will motivate you academically for one. Many Greek Organizations have GPA requirements to join - plus they encourage study hours. Every organization is different, but most sororities/fraternities will have study halls, study hours, and other various ways to help with your academic career. Older members can help mentor younger members with studying, advise on what professors to take, and encourage academic success. In addition, it kept me motivated to say physically fit! Someone was always down to go work out or take a walk with me when I was stressed out from studying. It was good to have someone to always support you whether it was quizzing me on flight systems or making me run that last mile.
5) There's so much fun stuff to do! Intramural Sports, Homecoming Events, Greek Week, Philanthropy Events, Bake Sales, Volunteering, Fundraisers, Movie Nights, Open Recruitment, etc etc... your social calender will definitely be filled up with fun events. Each Greek organization will have a philanthropy that they support for a good cause. Many efforts will be made with your organization to your philanthropy, and many other good causes. Greek organizations put in thousands and thousands of volunteer hours toward their philanthropy as well as funds to go to causes related to the philanthropy. As a former Girl Scout, I loved volunteering and helping out others - the philanthropic part of Greek Life was actually one of my favorite parts!! However, I still always found some time to take a break and enjoying a good game of intramural soccer or attending a fun Hula themed mixer.
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| "Hi, um can we have a table for... 30 or so?" It's always fun dining out with sisters! |
6) Speaking of the full social calendar, Greek Life can actually be overwhelming at times... but you can take it to your advantage and actually learn how to manage time better. My first year in the sorority I went a little crazy with involvement and I signed up for a ton of events. With a full load of classes, flight lessons, and part time work.... I quickly found myself overwhelmed. It was also my first year in college so not only was I adjusting to a new schedule format, but I was trying to figure out how to survive my freshman year. After a busy first semester of all my aforementioned events and being a new member in the sorority... I was beat by the time Thanksgiving Break rolled around. Starting the next semester, I learned how to manage my time much better (I'll share some tips in a future blog post) and I learned to not sign up for every single event my sorority had. I loved working out and being a part of intramural events, but I learned to pass on signing up for 4 sports and only do 2.
7) Between all of the fun events, you can also gain valuable leadership skills. Every Greek organization has a president, a vice president, and more leadership rolls. You can run for various leadership positions within the organization, whether it's a recruitment chair, scholarship chair, or even an assistant recruitment chair. You can start out small and then run for a big role, or you can even take leadership roles outside of your chapter, such as Panhellenic Council or University Housing Offices, etc. It will be a great experience, and a nice addition to your resume.
8) You'll make life long friends. Yes yes, it's another cliche saying about Greek Life... but it's true. I've met some amazing people through Greek Life. Within my sorority, I gained great mentors and people to look up to, a fantastic pledge class, and adorable sister daughters/littles. It's like having a dozen more sisters. I found my future bridesmaids (for when Channing Tatum proposes to me, duh) within my sorority, and sisters that will be there no matter what. In addition, I found some great friends outside my sorority. I have a group of 6 girlfriends (including me) and we're all from 4 different sororities - and we act like we're in the same sorority because we get along so well! Greek Life has been great to me - I've made so many friends, and life long friends... I know who I'll be running on the beach with me when I'm old and living in a mansion with cats (just in case Channing Tatum doesn't propose... you know, back up plan).
Okay, so it's kind of a long list... but I listed 8 Great Reasons to GO GREEK. I know there are a ton of positive lists and spins on Greek Life, but I wanted to put my own up there on my blog. After typing this, I spent a good 45 minutes looking at old photos on facebook... boy has time gone by fast.
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| Sophomore Year.. eek! Robin and I go back a long way! |
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| aaand years later, we're still good friends :) We visited our old house as Alum. Fall 2007 = the best! |
I hope this encourages someone to go Greek... it's one of the best experiences you will have during your collegiate career, so why not give it a shot?
xoxo Blue Skies!
