It's all Greek to me!
Like many fresh-faced freshmen, I was REALLY nervous to start college. Many of my parents’ friends told me that college is where I would find “my people.” What does that even mean? When I first started, I felt so much pressure to find a group of friends to call “my people” that I lost sight of who I was. In the beginning, Greek life didn’t appeal to me because of the exaggerated stereotypes of screaming girls and low GPA’s I associated with them. My mom urged me to look more into Greek life at my university and after debunking the stereotypes I’d previously believed, I thought, “why not?”
I felt a strong connection to one sorority, and I ended up receiving a bid from Gamma Phi Beta. I was thrown into a group of 200 girls who I now consider family. This organization has given me my best friends in college; girls who share my love of serving our community, going on ridiculous adventures, and dressing up in wigs and wacky costumes. I couldn’t imagine college without these women and would not have grown so much in my first year of college without their constant support and guidance.
In them, I know that I will always have someone looking out for me and girls who truly care about my well-being. If I’m having a tough day or need a pick-me-up, I can count on my sisters to make me laugh and help turn my day around. I have found a group of girls who shared compassion for others and were always willing to lend a helping hand. Countless hours of volunteering and promoting events with my sisters showed me that we shared the same passion for giving and contributing time to our community.
Spending time with my sisters is always the highlight of my week. Whether we’re studying in a local coffee shop, grabbing burritos and watching the sunset, or playing sisterhood trivia, I know that it will always involve belly laughs and an unreal amount of fun. One of my fondest memories I’ve made with the girls in my sorority was during a weekend trip to a breathtaking cabin on South Lake Tahoe. We spent hours hiking, exploring, and checking out local eateries. At the end of the night, we snuggled down with huge blankets and watched the movie “She’s the Man” which drifted into the background as our giggles turned into howling laughs. Moments like these remind me why I joined a sorority in the first place.
While I know Greek life isn’t for everyone, the moment that I knew it was the right community for me was during Bid Night. This is the night when active members in a sorority welcome the new members to their new home in their sorority. As I approached the enormous white tent decked out in glitter and blasting music, I could see hundreds of girls hugging each other and laughing together. That is where I wanted to be. That became home.
About the author
Sydney Fredette
Sydney Fredette is currently a second-year student at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo studying business administration with a concentration in human resources. She is currently on a journey to find the best breakfast burrito in her college town, and in her free time she enjoys running outdoors, cooking, and traveling. Sydney loves being a Pearson Campus Ambassador on her campus and connecting with students.
Sydney is a contributor to the Pearson Students Blog. If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started!
