Sunday, Jan. 31 concluded the chaotic and tumultuous week that is recruitment.
When I first came to Elon, never would I have thought I would be a participant in Greek Life recruitment. But, as I got to know women in various organizations, I realized that all the stereotypes I had established in my mind were wrong. The girls involved in these organizations were nothing like I had seen in “House Bunny” or “Legally Blonde” (although I wouldn’t mind if there were some more people like Elle Woods in the world).
Over the past week, I had some of the most amazing conversations with genuinely down-to-earth women on topics ranging from TV shows and the Franco brothers to how different cultures interact and communicate with each other.
That being said, somewhere in the hours of small talk, singing and dancing, I realized it simply wasn’t for me. Even before I signed up for recruitment, I wasn’t entirely sure if the “sisterhood” life was meant for me.
As I visited each house and looked into the world of Greek Life, I couldn’t see myself in any of the houses. I couldn’t picture myself clapping along to the tunes that exuded pride and love for one’s organization. And yes, I did experience the sting of being dropped from some organizations and not clicking with the ones I did go back to. After this, it became apparent to me that it wasn’t worth it to join an organization just to say I was a sister of one. So, I dropped.
I’m not going to lie and say it didn’t hurt a bit when I went on social media and saw all the girls taking pictures with their new sisters on bid day, or hearing the stories of girls screaming and crying in excitement when opening their bid cards. But, hours later, after the excitement died down and everyone went back to their dorm rooms, I saw something different and realized that the world wasn’t ending after all.
I journeyed into the common room of my hall and saw unaffiliated and affiliated women alike laughing and sharing the excitement with each other. It didn’t matter who was part of which organization, because in the end we were just a group of friends all experiencing one aspect of campus involvement — one part of Elon University that by no means defines who you are or who you can talk to. It was then I realized that joining a sorority is just one way of finding your “place” on campus or meeting friends that you click and get along with.
While Elon may not be a huge school, the size adds an element of community that I feel larger schools don’t get. Here, you see less division between different organizations and instead experience the positive and negative aspects of being involved in a number of different areas.
So maybe you got dropped from recruitment, didn’t get a bid or didn’t rush at all. Maybe you did get a bid and joined an organization of women that will push you and support you throughout the next four years. The point is, either situation is not the “be-all and end-all” of your college experience.
If you didn’t end up joining a sorority, now you have more time to find something you are really passionate about and will excel at. If you did join, congratulations and use your time in that organization to grow and make a difference both in and out of your chapter.
Things happen for a reason. Don’t waste your time focusing on the “what ifs” and “why nots.” I guarantee there is something spectacular waiting for you to become a part of and make amazing. Wallow if you need to and move on — you only have four years at this school, so you might as well make the most of it.