Greek Life: My Real MVP

Hi all!

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

I Am Not 'Your' Sorority Woman

It's disheartening when I inform someone that I am in a sorority, and I receive the judgmental smile, which is usually followed by a laugh and some joke about how bad my GPA is, or an inquiry of how hungover I am from the last party.

I am asked if I only like men in polos and khakis.

If it's not monogrammed, I don't care for it, and my entire closet is Lilly Pulitzer.

I paid for my friends, and the 'sisterhood bond' that I have is nothing but a facade in order to isolate myself and my sisters from anyone who isn't a part of my sorority.

And last but not least, I am dumb.

Believe me, I wish I was making all of this up, but in truth, I have had these assumptions made about me just because I am a member of the Greek organization.

No, I don't only like men in polos and khakis. I like men who are respectful. Whose humor makes me smile on the darkest of days. Who are passionate about their future, and treat women like true ladies. I am not materialistic, and honestly could care less what a guy wears.

I mean, come on ladies, what is the difference in Ryan Gosling in a suit, and Ryan Gosling in a t-shirt? Nothing! He's still the guy you want Santa to deliver wrapped in a red bow beside your Christmas tree on Christmas day.

I do love monograms, but I also love anchors, snowflakes, and kittens. No, everything I own is not monogrammed, and my closet lacks anything Lilly Pulitzer. You will find me happily strolling across campus in leggings and an oversized sweater bought from Goodwill, because six of the seven days of the week, I am so broke, I rely on the Campus cafeteria for meals. Moreover, I'd rather be comfortable than stylish while walking up and down the treacherous hills of campus while going to class.

I didn't pay for my sisters. How can you pay for friendship? The answer is you can't. Love isn't bought. Love is shared. It is a mutual affection for each other. And more importantly, being a part of a sisterhood is about getting to know and love women who believe in the same ideals and principles as you.

We are not all alike, and that is the beauty of it. In different ways, we better each other. That's what being a part of a sisterhood is- wanting to love and better each other - wanting to be a true sister to someone.

Last, but not least, I am not dumb. I am not gonna lie, there are some days that I feel like finishing college sounds as appealing as cutting off my pinky finger. There are multiple times I feel like I am not smart enough, and there's no way I'm going to have a future.

Nevertheless, I am a sophomore, almost half-way through college.
I have a 3.1 GPA. Nothing to brag about, but I always finish my assignments on time and am striving to work harder and do better.
And I do have a future. I believe in my heart I am going to be successful, should I apply myself.

So for anyone out there who believes the real sorority woman is materialistic, conceited, spiteful, or unintelligent.

I am here to tell you that you are wrong.

She is the woman you see playing Intramural flag football, catching a pass from her teammate and sprinting down the field.

She is the woman you see at 2 am in the library sitting quietly in the corner, with her headphones in, staring intently at her Chemistry book.

She is the woman you see out on the walkway- selling baked goods and asking for donations in order to support her philanthropy, an organization she holds dear to her heart.

She is the woman who gets so overexcited every time she sees her 'Little', because as an only child, she never had a real little sister before she joined a sorority.

The real sorority woman is your average woman- complete with flaws, embarrassing stories, and aspirations for her future.

She is not 'your' definition of a sorority woman.
She is just a woman striving to be better than she used to be.

-Mollie Abell is a sophomore at the University of Tennessee, as well as a member of Delta Gamma. 
*She can be contacted at mjw739@utk.edu