It's Not 4 Years It's For Life.

4 years ago today I got initiated into a sorority. I was a freshman not loving my college experience and desperately searching for a way to get involved. I didn't have super solid friends, I was home sick, and ready to throw in the towel for Southern Utah University. I needed love and friendship( like I know that sounds needy but it was for real) I had come across a sorority at my orientation, one of my orientation leaders said she thought I would be a good fit for Alpha Phi ( an international sorority on my campus). I thanked her, in my mind I thought I would never fit into a sorority it just was not my personality, with that being said the thought stayed in the back of my mind for a few months. When my first semester turned out to be less than I imagined. (Meaning it was absolutely awful) the thought more frequently kept crossing my mind. On a leap of faith I sent an email to Alpha Phi telling them I was interested in rushing and asked how to get involved, translation I was desperate for friendship. To my surprise I got an email back telling me they would love for me to get involved, I had one interview, met all the sisters once, then boom, they told me I was going to start new member classes and met my 3 cute pledge sisters. Even in the beginning of my Alpha Phi experience, it was not as I imagined, I thought okay join a sorority gain 50 best friends, become popular and successful in school. That was not the case, these girls had best friends in the chapter and didn't need a new freshman following them around. I would go to activities and events and feel more alone than ever before. Why can I not catch a break?! I was paying money for something that was making me more sad and lonely. (Lol at my life). The week of my initiation came quickly and I had my first super-secret activity of being in the sorority. Can I tell you it changed my life? I have never been closer to anyone in my entire life than with my 3 pledge sisters.

This was the start of the sorority/college/life experience I wanted. The rest of the week continued to change my life ( please look forward to future blog posts so I can talk more about special experiences, ceremonies, initiation, etc. ). Anyway, from that first week I made the decision that Alpha Phi was going to be a crucial part of my college experience and it was. Spring semester was good enough because of Alpha Phi. I wanted to come back to Southern Utah University in the fall. I made up my mind that I was going to do everything in my power make friends and get involved. As a Sophomore I was elected into an executive council position. I was over campus affairs and I loved it. I began creating relationships with more sisters and I looked forward to every alpha phi event. Over that following summer I had a chance attend a leadership conference put on by my sorority and I attended all expenses paid. Again this experience changed my life (if you haven’t caught on yet... alpha phi changed my life.) I have never felt more motivated to make a difference after this in my sorority. Fall of my junior year I got elected as chapter president. Please realize earlier in this post I said Alpha Phi is not what I thought it would be and then I was president of the whole thing. That was the hardest and most rewarding experience of my life, up to this point. I never knew I could love and dislike something so much at the same time. What I will never forget is the relationships I formed while being president I learned that everyone has a story, never to judge a book by its cover, and deep down everyone is looking to feel like they are loved and their voice is being heard. Even after being President I am always impressed, and awe struck by the amazing women who surround me daily.

Anyway, four years later as my time as a collegiate member of alpha phi is coming to an end. I wouldn’t have changed what I experienced for anything.

So what does this mean for you? If you want to join a sorority duh totally do it. If you are already involved in Greek life, make the most of your experience... get involved, and allow the oaths you take, the values, and the people who surround you to change your life. I would like you to note I didn’t talk at all about the parties, boys or the drama. A sorority is about learning and loving others as well as yourself. Even through i am graduating this is something I will carry with me forever (get the title now?) I will continue to actively be involved and encourage others to do the same.

Okay so bye for now. Please leave comments, questions, feedback whatever it may be