Why going Greek was the best decision I ever made

Back in high school when I was applying to colleges, Greek Life was not even a blip on my radar of what I was looking for out of college. In fact, I believed that fraternities drugged and raped girls frequently, had crazy parties, hazed, discriminated against non Greeks, and didn't give two shits about school or anything other than slam pieces, drinking, and what their plans were for the weekend. Sororities didn't fair too well in my book either, though they definitely had a higher standard in my views than fraternities. This whole system seemed like something I didn't want to have any part of - at all. During the first semester of college I had experienced some of Greek life and the stereotype that I had unknowingly entered college with was starting to fade. Luckily at the beginning of freshman spring semester I had done some life evaluations and deemed that Spontaneity was one of the most important attributes I could have. Then came the phone call that went along the lines of "were establishing a colony on your campus, we heard you're a guy that has the attributes were looking for, would you come in for an interview?" now that's the very simplified version but I agreed to come in.

Now just a month shy of three years later I'm the External Vice President of my fraternity, hold position in a campus organization, have planned a myriad of events, gotten into great shape, have had amazing experiences with some of the most amazing people, and wholeheartedly believe that going Greek was the best thing I ever did and here's why;

1. Social Life
The social life that comes with being Greek far extends the frat parties, sorority functions, socials, dances, and special events. While those are all fantastic and hold a whole world of enjoyment and fun that I will never forget, and in some cases never remember, they aren't all of what Greek life has to offer socially. If I hadn't gone Greek I wouldn't have foreseen myself being as outgoing and social as I am. being Greek forces you to meet your brothers and sisters, and not just them but everyone else in the Greek community as well. This comes from serenades, philanthropies, group projects, and casual social encounters. Just being Greek automatically puts you into en enormous pool of people with something in common with you! I can't tell you how many conversations have come out of the person I was talking to and myself simply because we were both Greek.

2. Confidence
I've heard that speaking in front of a large room of people will build your confidence, or walking up to that very attractive girl and asking her out will build your confidence, and even dressing for success will build your confidence. I know from experience that Greek life has allowed me to do all these things and helped to build my confidence, but not nearly as much as my house and specifically my brothers have. It's much easier to press your comfort zone if you know you're being back by a house full of men who have your back whenever you need it. For example my freshman year, I had an issue talking to women, and talking in large groups. Lucky for me I signed up to be a coach for our philanthropy and had to go dress up and talk to a room full of beautiful women, a simple "you've got this" from a brother was all I needed. I did fine, the brother who went with me couldn't even speak. But if I hadn't had that experience I don't think I would have been able to make a run for sweetheart for a sorority two years later.

3. Philanthropy
I have always had causes that I supported, most of them from an environmental perspective, but even so I never really gave two cares about actually going out and getting involved. That all changed when I was first told that participation in philanthropy is part of the package of being Greek. I didn't take offense or disgust to it, in fact, much to my surprise I got excited about being able to be directly involved with a cause. Since I went Greek I have only missed 4 philanthropies done by sororities, and have always participated in my houses. Without having gone Greek I doubt I would have ever been instilled with a desire to actually help my community or a cause I supported if it actually meant I had to put in work.

4. Networking
Lots of people associate being Greek with having a network of Alumni and brothers/sisters to help get them a job or provide support, input, or advice as it becomes needed throughout their lives. This is true, I know that I see lots of help from my brothers both locally and nationally helping to find one another jobs and employment, or even helping to start their own businesses. Now I'm not saying that by being Greek, you will coincidentally walk into an interview with a brother or sister from another chapter and get the job, but the chances of you walking into an interview and the employer being Greek is a lot more significant than not. By being Greek it shows that you have put for the time and effort to be a part of something bigger than yourself, that has ridged rules and requirement - both from the chapter and campus, and that you actually care about what you are a part of. Networking within your house - Good. Networking within the whole Greek system nationally - Way Better.

5. Time Management
Being Greek has taught me time management skills that I can easily take forward into the work force and put to good use. There's nothing like having a weekend full of plans interrupted by huge midterm assignments, yet somehow I still found a way to get the assignment done on time without sacrificing any of the time I had planned for the weekend. While that may not be the best example of time management, having the ability to cram a lot of work into little time can pay huge dividends down the line.

6. The Experience
While these make up the backbone of why going Greek was the best decision I ever made, the truth is the absolute best part of it was the experience. It brought me out of my shell, forced me to become more social, more confident, a better dresser, all in all a better man. Hell, I don't even think I was a man when I came to college. Without having gone Greek I would have missed out on some of the best parties I'm sure I'll ever plan, the best nights I may ever have, the best beach parties, road trips, ski trips, campouts, cruises, socials, bad decisions, good decisions, drunken karaoke, the Kesha air band, fun and most importantly - people. All the people I care so much about and am so very lucky to call my friends, my brothers, my sisters. After all, when life is over are you going to care about the money you have, the stuff you own, or the people in your life?