By joining a sorority, you’ve already taken a huge step towards making the most of your college experience. You are now part of an organization that is dedicated to friendship, womanhood, and personal growth. Not only that, but your social circle will grow and your (maybe) large campus will shrink with all the connections you’ll make. As someone who joined Greek life as a last attempt to make my university feel like home, I can confidently say it’s one of the best decisions I made in college. So, why not make the most of it?
Photo by George Pak
Take a Leadership Role
You might be surprised to learn how many different leadership positions there are within a single sorority. While president may seem like the obvious one, there are also several other executive positions including vice president, treasurer, program development, etc. On a smaller scale, there are also committee chairwoman, who lead various groups within the chapter, like social and philanthropy. Although every sorority is different and may vary in available positions, what I mean to emphasize is that there are many opportunities to lead. Maybe you’ve always wanted to be the president of a club, or maybe taking a leadership position would put you out of your comfort zone. Either way, doing so is a great way to find your voice, build confidence, and grow your skill set.
Attend Sisterhood Events
Not only does attending sisterhood events support the women who put in the effort to plan them, but it also gives you the chance to get to know the other members in your sorority. Use these opportunities to bond with sisters across different classes -- beyond your immediate circle -- and just have fun! Whether it’s something as simple as a movie night or an extravagant trip to the city, these will be the moments you and your friends remember most. In need of an idea for a sisterhood event? Gild would love to be a part of creating lasting moments for your sorority with our on-campus workshops.
Serve
In addition to attending sisterhood events, getting involved with your sorority's philanthropy is another great way to make the most of your experience. For me, this aspect of Greek life was a major reason I joined a sorority. There’s a unique kind of joy that’s experienced when you volunteer for something you care about with people you care about. Unfortunately, when you live in a big city or move to a new town, finding opportunities can be difficult and time consuming. Working directly with a charity through your sorority will provide lots of chances to volunteer! Many sororities even have a requirement for service hours, but going above and beyond this will grow your servant heart.
Open Up to Your Sisters
This isn’t easy for everyone, and may take time, but opening up to your friends about the ups and downs in your life is what truly bonds friends together. Share your hopes and dreams with them so they can push you to be the best version of yourself. Share your fears and anxieties so you don’t have to face them alone. Having people really know you is both scary and rewarding, but for me, it’s what’s made the biggest difference.
Above all else, the best part of joining a sorority is being surrounded by women who are both very similar and very different from you. You’ll make friends from different states, majors, and backgrounds and learn to see the beauty in all passions, interests, and personalities. When you graduate college and enter the workforce, you’ll likely join a team and be forced to work with all personality types. Knowing how to keep an open mind and appreciate people for their strengths will be an important skill to take with you.