Definition of Sorority: A group of women bound together by common principles, goals, and experiences.

If you would’ve asked me three years ago if I would’ve ever been in a sorority, I would’ve rolled my eyes and laughed in your face. The cliché thought of “sorority girls” that I created in my head from movies, T.V. shows, and social media was that they were stupid and annoying girls who paid for their friends. I’m sure this idea doesn’t sound too far off from the one you have in your head, but my food for thought is that things aren’t always what they seem.

Last fall 2016, I transferred to Cal State Fullerton as a junior and really wanted to get involved with the school. I considered clubs, sports, and student government, but never considered going Greek. During the first week of school, there were a bunch of sororities tabling all over campus and Panhellenic members handing out flyers to rush.

 

 

Panhellenic: This council serves as the governing body for all NPC chapters on campus and organizes the recruitment process. Each chapter chooses a delegate to sit on its College Panhellenic council.

Rush: A series of social events and gatherings that allow prospective and current sorority members to get to know each other.

 

After talking to one of the girls about rushing and what Greek life is all about, I decided “why not?” I thought to myself, “If I don’t like it then I can always drop and find something else to join.” So then, I went through with it. I went through rush and narrowed it down to the final sorority I wanted to be in and accepted my invitation on bid day to the Delta Delta chapter of Gamma Phi Beta.

 

Bid Day: The last day of recruitment, when potential new members receive bids to join chapters and become new members. Each chapter will usually host a Bid Day activity to help the new members get to know each other and the rest of the chapter.

 

After a year of being in a sorority and sticking through it, I can actually say that my experience in Gamma Phi Beta has been nothing short of amazing. Aside from all the fun social events, I have made SO MANY new friends and became a part of a community that supports you in every way, shape, and form. My “sisters” are so supportive and encouraging whenever it comes to anything regarding myself. As a female, it’s hard to make new girlfriends because many of them fall into the “catty” and “fake” category. These girls are all so insanely genuine and will always be there for you whether you need a shoulder to cry on, venting session, or just want to go grab a coffee.

 

Sorority life is not how the media makes it out to be and to fully understand the benefit of being a part of one; you’ll have to join one yourself or take my word for it. Everyone has their own experiences and encounters during their time as a collegiate sorority member, but mine has been so worth it. I have one more semester before I graduate, so I’m going to make the most out of my time being a member of Gamma Phi.

My advice for anyone thinking about joining a sorority is that you’ll get so much more out of it when you attend events and really indulge yourself in everything your chapter has to offer. The only thing I would change is to have more time in Gamma Phi before I graduate… but my bank account is looking a little low, so I’ll just take my degree and skedaddle!

 

Love Always,

Shell

 

 

*Also, shout out to my perfect sisters for allowing me to use their photos!