Greek life is a huge part of the culture of many colleges, including at Plattsburgh State. There are 11 sororities and 12 fraternities in total on campus.
I joined my sorority in my second semester of freshman year. I can’t deny all the benefits I got out of joining Greek life. I met my best friend in my sorority and was given many networking and leadership opportunities. So far, I am having fun and will never regret joining it.
However, going Greek also sticks with many stereotypes and myths. One of them is involving in Greek life is the only way to make friends and network. I don’t know about you, but before rushing my sorority, I had watched many movies about Greek life in college. And I’m going to tell you that most of them are exaggerating.
Listen to me. The truth is: You don’t have to go Greek to be cool, to be popular or to make friends. Toss all those thoughts and stereotypes into the trash. As someone in Greek life, why would I tell you that? Of course, I’m in Greek life. So what? That doesn’t make me any different from non-Greek people? After all, I’m just a student trying to work hard to earn my own degree.
Nobody is more special than others in this school. Maybe we are all different and unique in our own ways, but we are all held to the same standards. You party more than I do? You drink more than I do? You study more than I do? Does that make you cooler than me? Absolutely not.
Be proud of who you are. The world would be so much better if it were a non-judgemental and safe space for everyone. Everybody should feel comfortable to do whatever they want and be whomever they want to be.
Also, it is not true that people in Greek only hang out with people in Greek organizations. I have many friendships out of Greek life. One of my best friends is outside Greek life, and I hang out with her even more than any of my sisters. After all, sorority is just one part of my life, and it is not everything. I’m just a student like one of thousands students in PSUC. I go to my class everyday, and complain about my dorm, the food and more. My college life is not surrounded by something called “Greek.” At the end of the day, after college, what I care is if I can get a well-paid job, so I can buy myself some designer clothes and take care of my parents.
Therefore, going Greek or not, it is up to you. Don’t ever feel obligated to do something just because you think it is the only choice for you either to make friends or to prove something. You do you. I am absolutely doing myself well, and I am proud of what I am doing.
Email Hilly Nguyen at cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
