The Core Reasons to be in a Sorority

To be completely honest, you probably joined a sorority to boost your social calendar and to benefit your Instagram. While I enjoy these perks as much as the next monogrammed alpha kappa whatever, there are things about your sorority that should have the sole purpose of making you a better person. Most sororities have values that define the positive traits of the organization. These values are what shatter your image of the shallow sorority girl when you actually become a part of a Greek organization. Socials will never be a bad thing, but it is important to remember that what is truly important is your fulfillment of the core ideals.

• Academics are the reason to be in college. As much as I would love my MRS degree, I am well aware that guys are not dependable enough to plan my entire future around. Academics prove you aren't in college for the parties, and your parents aren't wasting their money on tuition. A solid gpa will get you a good job or improve your chances of getting into a selective grad school or internship. Although the bar may convince you that classes are optional, your gpa is extremely important because that's your proof that you learned something in between boozing in your 4 years in college.

• SERVICE. No, not philanthropy events where you dress up and play games on the IM fields against the hot fraternity and writing a big check to a charity, I am talking about actually going to a beach clean up or after school program and serving the community. These activities are what humble you and show you that the world is not just the weekends out or the exams you take. Volunteering is a lot more impressive than raising money because it proves that your character is comprised of more than just the superficial experiences. You would be amazed how inspired you will be by a little kid with autism or an elderly person. College is about broadening your horizons and seeing from a new perspective. You can learn just as much from helping others as you can from your professors (as if you listen to them attentively in class anyways)

• Friendship is a big one. You want your sisters to be your bridesmaids and pass the front porch test (see How I Met Your Mother). You need to be there for your sisters if you ever expect them to be there for you. There is a reason people continue to affiliate with their sorority after college, and it’s not because they want to spend their retirement money funding socials and underage drinking. People remember how recruitment bonded them to their best friend, or how they met their little on bid day, and they want to stay connected to the girls who shaped their college experience and stayed up studying all night before a big final. Some people are meant to come and go in your life, but your sorority sisters should be a permanent fixture.

• Leadership/Achievement. Its difficult to imagine how being in charge of planning a formal will translate to a valuable trait for the real world, but you would be surprised. Holding a chair position is the definition of being a boss ass bitch. If you can be in charge of 150 girls with synced periods bitching at you while you try to monitor their social media, you can be in charge of anyone or anything. It is the best form of preparation for a management position or children that I can think of.