“Oh, so you pay for your friends?” is something I’ve heard all too often as a junior who decided to rush. Although I can’t say I agree with the statement, I also can’t disagree. Let’s get into it, and a few other things I’ve learned about rushing Greek life as a junior.
Oh, so you Pay for your friends?
Although I can’t deny the hefty dues that are a part of Greek life, they aren’t a one-way ticket to lifelong friends. Being a part of a sorority means having the opportunity to make friends and working on social friendship-building skills with those who share similar values to you. Paying dues doesn’t guarantee besties, but it does open a door for you to find them.
Putting yourself out there is crucial when joining a sorority. It can be a challenge in the beginning because being surrounded by a large group of girls can be pretty intimidating. But slowly, you’ll start to find the right people for you: the girls you walk to class with, eat meals with, and who look out for you. The initial new member period is tough, but it’s pretty worth it in my opinion.
Why would you want to rush so late in the game anyway?
That’s a good question. In my freshman year, I was constantly challenged because I knew no one and nothing about Tallahassee. My first real in-person visit to FSU was three days before I moved in, and it was nothing like I had visualized in my mind. Through the organizations I was a part of in my first two years, I learned how to make friends quickly and talk to people I didn’t know. As someone who struggled with intense social anxiety for a huge part of my life, I learned that people aren’t so scary and it’s fun to learn about others and bond over our experiences.
By my junior year of college, I felt a little too comfortable. I wanted to push myself outside of my comfort zone and do something that most people who knew me would never expect me to do. Rushing a sorority sounded difficult and something that younger me would’ve been terrified of, so I did it!
So you just wanted to party?
This makes me giggle! No, partying was not an influence in my decision to rush a sorority. In all transparency, I’ve never felt more boring than in my junior year. I feel like an old woman who doesn’t want to go out and would much rather stay in and watch reruns of Drake and Josh. I’ve seen it all, and I really just want to lay in bed.Â
Seriously though, partying and going out isn’t a requirement or mandate in my sorority. There are plenty of people who don’t go out, and would rather stay in and read a book. There’s just no need to go to Bajas anymore, unfortunately. Â
Although it was a little strange being one of the few older girls in a new member class full of freshmen, I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I don’t think I would’ve been ready to rush in my freshman year. Despite the misconceptions and questions, rushing Greek life as a junior was so worth it!Â
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