Grow.Unite.Inspire

One of the main concerns I hear from women interested in joining sorority life are the costs associated with it, and for good reason, it’s expensive. Going into my senior year I can attest that joining a sorority has had its fair share of expenses, but I can say without hesitation, every penny has been worth it. Let me tell you why.

Side note: the friends, memories, bonds, and experiences I have had these past three years are invaluable so I won’t even talk about that in regards to cost. These women are such huge parts of my happiness and well being that it would be insulting to associate them with any type of monetary value.

 I digress…

 DUES the big scary word potential new members hear being thrown around, what does it mean? Dues are (in most chapters) paid on a semesterly basis. Although the exact things dues go towards differs from organization to organization, generally, they pay for things such as sisterhood activities, formals and socials, academic and professional development workshops, philanthropic events, national and Panhellenic fees, and badge and initiation fees. So when your sisterhood chair plans a trip to the state fair, or to go to a baseball game, your dues are going towards that. Most chapters have a one time fee for new members their first semester. It is more expensive because in most cases the chapters have allotted funds for things for new members such as a retreats, and activities, that are already planned and paid for before recruitment even begins!

So you understand that dues go towards meaningful things, and it all sounds good and dandy, but you are still not convinced. Understandable! But let’s look at it from a different point of view: 

You are attending college. Your tuition, books, housing- all of it is expensive (not to mention the meal plans). Why do we pay this absorbent amount of money? Because it is an investment in our future. Our parents, guardians, and most importantly ourselves, want to graduate with great grades and be able to land a six figure salary job. We are investing all this money now in hopes that it pays off (literally) once we graduate. Honestly, joining a sorority is no different.  

The leadership, and networking that comes from joining Greek life is incredible. You are instantly connected to thousands of people just by joining your organization, not to mention all of the other Greek organizations on your campus and around the country. I can personally say I have gotten a remarkable internship thanks to an alumnus of my sorority. I have held multiple leadership positions that have helped me develop, and refine, skills that are detrimental in the working world. I have stacked my résumé and I have made myself marketable to employers. Not to mention the added of bonus that Greeks tend to hire Greeks. My point is, that hopefully my affiliation will help me succeed more in the working world than I would have without it. Even if it doesn’t work out the way I planned I know plenty of alumni I can call to get me back on my feet.

When I came to USF as a summer semester freshman I really had no idea what I wanted to experience besides getting my degree, I had only been involved with two clubs in high school that barely existed and had only had time for karate, volleyball, and work. I had seen a few seniors from my volleyball team go Greek at larger schools like UF but it seemed so intense and so not my scene.

Fast forward to Fall semester and realizing that my floor mates from summer semester had a lot going on, so I wanted to get to know other people on campus. My new roommate convinced me to go through recruitment with her and once Orientation Night came I knew that I was going to fall in love with everything this community had to offer. Recruitment was a very stressful time in my life, on top of the normal jitters of not being prepared for the days with outfits and such; my mom had called me with some devastating news before my first event on Philanthropy Day. My childhood dog had passed away the night before and my whole world came to a stop. I went to a few houses and got really emotional and felt a little uncomfortable because I had to explain to the women that I wasn’t having the best day. I walked into my sorority’s house and for the first time I felt comfortable to share my story and how I really needed that support system that everyone had been calling “sisterhood” right at that moment. I can’t even begin to describe the amount of appreciation I had for this woman who gave me the time to vent and was my shoulder to cry on, especially because I had just met her. This feeling of belonging and unconditional love is why I fell in love with my chapter that day and why I still am so proud to claim. 

I spend a large portion of my life having conversations with women about why I chose my chapter. Answering questions like, what made my chapter stand out, how did I know it was my home, what made me realize my sisterhood was unique, and special, and the perfect fit for me? What was the exact moment in recruitment when I realized I had found my home?

If I told you that I had all of this figured out during recruitment, I would be lying. Sure, on Bid Day, when I opened my Bid Card, I smiled. I smiled because I thought of all the wonderful conversations I had in this chapter the past 4 days. I smiled because of the tears that had come to my eyes during their Preference Day ceremony. I smiled because I got to run home with a woman I had become close with in my Pi Chi group. I smiled because of the possibility. I smiled because I knew I would become a better friend, and a better person.

Entering my senior year, and my final year in my chapter, I reflect on something much more important: why I stayed. The day I was initiated into my chapter, I took an oath, where I pledged myself as a member for life. For Life. In this moment, I did not realize what this meant. What had I gotten myself into? I was 19. Life seemed like an awfully long time…would I want to stay committed to this one chapter for life? Two years later, having served as an officer, an Executive Board member, a friend, a mentor, a sister, a confidant, a taxi service…I now understand. I now know, why I have stayed, and why I will stay, for life.

I stayed because I had a mentor, a woman who believed in all my potential before I knew my own abilities.

I stayed because I don’t have to say a word for my sister to understand exactly what I’m thinking. I stayed for the silent look we exchange when we’re thinking the exact same thing.

I stayed for the excitement that fills my sister’s face when I see her for the first time in a week, as we hug.

I stayed because my sister lifts me up when I am down, because she makes me laugh so hard that I cry.

I stayed for the embrace my sister gives me when I’m crying so hard that I can’t even explain what I’m upset about. I stay because I don’t have to explain for her to comfort me.

I stayed because I’m weird, and my sisters know that, and they’re okay with it. I stayed because I have found unconditional love and acceptance. And I can finally be what I was always meant to be: myself.

I stayed because of group texts, filled with inside jokes and venting sessions.

I stayed because I have a big sister, who will answer my hysterical phone calls at 2 AM, who will wake up with me at 8 AM, to get coffee and “debrief” the previous day’s events, who will stand up for me when I cannot stand up for myself, who fills my life with positivity and who is proud of all of my actions. I stayed because she sees the good in me, and she makes a better person.

I stayed because I found a home, a place filled with love and happiness, support and secrecy, even in the darkest of times.

I stayed because I did not know what I was missing before I found my sisters, but I know I cannot live without them now.