MY EXPERIENCE WITH GREEK LIFE
A B Γ Δ E Z H Θ I K Λ M N Ξ O Π P Σ T Y Φ X Ψ Ω A B Γ Δ E Z H Θ I K Λ M
Everyone has their own opinion about Greek life on a college campus. I’m going to share with you my own personal opinion and experience with it here at UCR.
In my first couple of years on campus, I had the typical stereotypes associated with fraternities and sororities stuck in my head and I just didn’t think it was for me. One of my close friends was rushing and he convinced me to go with him to the rotations where you get to meet all the fraternities in one day. In the beginning all I could think about is why I agreed to wake up so early and what I was going to eat once it was over. I had Korean BBQ just in case you were wondering. Little did I know that I would come out of there amazed and so eager to become a part of this social organization. The best part about it was that each fraternity stood for something different yet they were all similar in that they aimed for their members to progress and become better people and members of the community in their own ways. Now I’m not going to lie, there were some downsides to my experience but guess what, every other organization on campus has its ups and downs as well! Although, the number one piece of advice I would have is to just be yourself. Naturally, you’re going to notice this with any selection process you go through in life, but there’s always going to be someone who believes that the best option in order to pass a selection process is to act a certain way or say certain things to please the members of the fraternity, but the fact of the matter is if you were meant to be a part of that organization then you would’ve been selected. Sometimes there are other opportunities out there for you that are better suited for your own path of success.
All in all, I didn’t get a bid, but I was glad to say that I came out of rush week being myself the whole way through. I didn’t waste my time but instead I benefited a great deal by meeting some amazing people who are still my friends until this day. After my rush experience, rather than being distant from the Greek life, I decided to befriend them even more. After realizing that all these stereotypes weren’t true, I walked by the letters on campus with open arms. Eventually I was exposed to a philanthropic world filled with people who were there to make a difference. Even if people showed up to their events just to socialize, in the end the outcome was the same and that’s service for our community.
It’s something we all need to remind ourselves every day; don’t be so quick to judge. You might be missing out on opportunities and friendships that have been waiting for you all along. Imagine; discrimination aside, the great things we can achieve together on our campus if non affiliates and affiliates formed the ultimate philanthropy. So to my fellow GDI’s (God Damn Independents), maybe it’s time to not be so independent.
- Chris & Abboud
A B Γ Δ E Z H Θ I K Λ M N Ξ O Π P Σ T Y Φ X Ψ Ω A B Γ Δ E Z H Θ I K Λ M
