So it's been six months since I've paid attention to this blog. I apologize, for I do have priorities, and unfortunately, during the school year I have a list of priorities about a mile high above this blog.
But good news! It is the summer, and I have a fair amount of time on my hands.
I will be a junior attending the University of Tennessee in the fall, and to quote Kevin Durant, "When something good happens to you, I don't know about you guys, but I tend to look back on what brought me here."
I am extremely blessed to be attending the University of Tennessee. When I look back upon my past two years being greek and how much some experiences have blessed me, I have three main thoughts I'd like for people to know.
1. Do not be so quick to judge how sorority life actually is.
Has anyone ever seen the movie "House Bunny?" Movies present us with these distorted views on what college greek life is supposed to be, when in actuality, greek life is so much different. Entering college my freshman year, I was made to believe that every sorority secretly hated each other, and each had a distinct personality to them.
I won't be as unrealistic as to say that every woman in every different sorority gets along, but I will say that our greek life isn't some constant bashing fest. I enjoy attending other sororities' philanthropies, and I have best friends in other sororities. I take pride in the fact that I know so many women who are apart of the Panhellenic organization as I am.
More importantly, these women are not more privileged than anyone else. These are the same women who attend classes, who pull all-nighters in the library, who drive to Cookout at 3 in the morning for a milkshake. They are normal.
2. Fraternity guys are not the jerks they are made out to be.
One huge misconception made in society is that all fraternity guys are shallow. With some sites such as "Total Fraternity Move", it could be easy to generalize that all fraternity members assume an unfriendly personality.
Let me tell you one thing- fraternity guys can be some of the most inspiring guys you can ever have the pleasure of knowing.
This past year (my sophomore year), I was fortunate to coach in my sorority's philanthropy event a fraternity where, at the time, I didn't know a single member. By the end of the year, most of the guys have become some of my best friends. They have been there through me through the good and the bad, and I am blessed that I got to know them.
You will not get along with every fraternity guy, but I can guarantee there are good guys in every fraternity. Don't be afraid to let your guard down and actually get to know the guys.
3. Whatever you are- be a good one.
To all my sorority women, I have this theory: There are three types of sorority women we can choose to be- A Big, A Little, and The Sorority Member. It should be every sorority woman's goal to become all three.
To be a Big, you will have maintain good wisdom, because Lord knows your Little is going to be calling you up every night asking for advice. You will have to watch over your Little, because there will be times when she won't know what's coming down the path that you have already walked down.
To be a Little, you will have to make mistakes, but learn from them. When your Big wants you to go to lunch with her because she's lonely, you will go because deep down, you secretly want to become just like your Big.
To be The Sorority Member, you will have to become involved in your chapter. You will have to set a good example, and become a support system for your fellow chapter members. In a way, the changes you make and the women you surround yourself change and influence you in a better way.
Whatever you choose to be- be a good one. Pursue your role with an open and kind heart.
I'm not saying going greek has to be anyone's MVP. But sometimes it's nice to just look back and reminisce on what you made you the person you are today. I can gratefully say that every experience I've had from going greek has positively influenced me and made me make better decisions.
It's funny how God puts special people and experiences in our lives to mold us into the person He wants us to become.
-Mollie Abell is a junior at the University of Tennessee, as well as a member of Delta Gamma.
*She can be contacted at mjw739@utk.edu
