Greek Life

Three years into my college career I decided that I needed a change. I was a pretty good student but I wasn’t very involved in very many extracurricular campus organizations.  I was involved in a few but I wasn’t involved too heavily. I realized that a very important aspect of college was meeting, connecting, and creating relationships with new people to expand your network. I had friends from my hometown whom I lived with for 3 years but I felt that because I was so close to home and my friends from high school, I was limiting myself by not meeting new people and starting new relationships. I began looking into Greek Life and decided that it may be something I wanted to try.

I know that my parents will support me in whatever I decide to do. They have always stressed that throughout my life. However, I knew that my parents weren’t sold on fraternities and when I approached my mother and asked her what she thought, she explained that she didn’t see any benefit in them. I’m not positive but I have a feeling she had the same opinion of fraternities that a lot of the public does. She probably thought that they are all “Animal Houses” with lots of drinking being done and bad decisions being made.

I eventually decided to go against my mom’s opinion and I joined the fraternity I felt most comfortable with. I am extremely glad that I did. I’ve only been part of my fraternity for a year but I wish I had joined earlier. As a generally shy person I think that even in a year, the fraternity has done wonders for my communication and social skills. Through involvement one gets trained on how to work and communicate with others; a desirable skill in many aspects of life. They teach of brotherhood and sisterhood and allow students to make unique and valuable connections. I believe that a fraternity or sorority can greatly benefit one’s character. They teach of ethics and integrity through unique social situations. Great leaders are often the products of fraternities and sororities.

I would recommend that all students at least investigate the benefits of campus Greek Life. Most aren’t the stereotypical dirty, party focused organizations you see on television. As I stated, I am incredibly thankful for my opportunity and decision to join a fraternity and wish that I’d made the decision sooner.