I don't like that you can't back out. I don't like that you dedicate your life to it. I go home sometimes on weekends because I'm close by and I have a babysitting job for these rich people that I really can't afford to lose. So I don't want to have conflicts between my job and sorority events that will blacklist me or whatever.

It's a big commitment, and all of a sudden I don't know if I want it. I like my free time. Apparently I won't have any after I join. I love my roommate and the group of friends I've made are all very cool, and I'm afraid that joining a sorority will mean I have to spend all my time with my sisters and not with my old friends.

Another big thing is I don't always want to go out and party. Will that be a problem with them? I don't know.

But I feel like I'll regret not joining. I still love the idea of a sorority and having sisters and doing the philanthropy thing, but I also love doing my own thing. And I feel like once you join a sorority, you lose being able to do your own thing. You have to do what they want with them all the time.

Is anyone here in a sorority? Or know someone in a sorority? Help. I don't want to make this commitment if it's going to be a bad one. But I don't want to miss out either.

Post edited at 5:12 pm on Feb. 5, 2008 by kennedy

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We had some massive nights
Every song was right
And all I wanted was time

If it's something that you're interested in you can always join next year, or second semester sometimes there is a mini-rush. Perhaps try talking to some girls from various sororities on your campus and see what they have to say. Rushing is a big deal, and it may conflict with some of your plans, but some sororities may even understand and be happy to help you keep your old friends AND make new ones, as well as your job.

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So when you're happy (Hurray!), or sad (Aw!),
Or frightened (Eeek!), or mad (Rats!)
An interjection starts a sentence right.

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I thought once you pledge to a sorority/fraternity it was a life long commitment?

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It is, that's why I'm not sure if I'm ready to make that commitment.

Post edited at 5:20 pm on Feb. 5, 2008 by kennedy

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We had some massive nights
Every song was right
And all I wanted was time

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Quote: from Enzeru at 8:13 pm on Feb. 5, 2008

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I thought once you pledge to a sorority/fraternity it was a life long commitment?

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It is, that's why I'm not sure if I'm ready to make that commitment.

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Your job and life outside of campus may interfere with sorority events, yes.  It may not exclude you entirely; I have friends who live off-campus and still enjoy the benefits of sorority life by attending only some of the optional events, while remaining active and socializing with sisters whenever possible.  But, there will be things that you will want to participate in, or that you are expected to, that conflict with your schedule.

A big portion of your decision, too, is if you feel comfortable being institutionalized and dedicated to one group.  It's great for some people, but if you are having doubts and are the type of person that enjoys being able to shun responsibilities once in a while after a long day of classes and studying and not really have to account for anyone, then you might want to reconsider.

There are other ways to be involved on campus besides greek organizations.  There are clubs and societies that require a lesser degree of involvement but still provide academic, social, and philanthropic opportunities.   You can still hang out with the friends you already have, and dedicate yourself to your research like you are doing while keeping up with various events going on, independent of a greek group.

I'm not trying to talk you out of it, just saying there are other ways.  Remember that if you decide not to join one by the time you graduate, it's not something you can go back and do.  To me, though, Greek life seems very ideallistic.  Like College students have the power to change the world during the day and then party and have no worries at night.  And while I'd love to be involved in that part of college I just don't have the idealism...or the loyalty to do it.

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firman consensus facit

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im readign a really good book on sororoties called pledge maybe u should read it

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yea thats a really good book. Pledged tells you everything you need to know about the Greek system from the point of veiws of real life soroity girls. read that, and then make your decision from there  

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I'm so happy.
Cause today I've found my friends, they're in my head.
I'm so ugly.
But that's okay cause so are you =]

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Quote: from kennedy at 5:19 pm on Feb. 5, 2008

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Quote: from Enzeru at 8:13 pm on Feb. 5, 2008

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I thought once you pledge to a sorority/fraternity it was a life long commitment?

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 It is, that's why I'm not sure if I'm ready to make that commitment.

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In all reality, you can drop out if you so decide. If you pick a bad sorority or the girls turn out to be not who you though, or if they expect too much from you, you can always go inactive or drop out or join a different one. It's not like you'll die if you leave, it's simply that most people enjoy it and don't want to.

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actually, as a former member of the greek life system, if you join a social sorority (not a co-ed or honors fraternity--say the band fraternity, for example) and decide to no longer be a member of that particular sorority, you are ineligible to join another one. every sorority has a certain ritual they perform for initiations, meetings, etc., and every sorority considers these to be secret and sacred. if you've already seen the rituals for one sorority, they don't want you to join another one in case you spill the beans. i know it sounds crazy, but that's how it works.

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Quote: from JennyColada at 5:22 pm on Feb. 5, 2008

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Quote: from kennedy at 5:19 pm on Feb. 5, 2008

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Quote: from Enzeru at 8:13 pm on Feb. 5, 2008

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I thought once you pledge to a sorority/fraternity it was a life long commitment?

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  It is, that's why I'm not sure if I'm ready to make that commitment.

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 In all reality, you can drop out if you so decide. If you pick a bad sorority or the girls turn out to be not who you though, or if they expect too much from you, you can always go inactive or drop out or join a different one. It's not like you'll die if you leave, it's simply that most people enjoy it and don't want to.

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actually, as a former member of the greek life system, if you join a social sorority (not a co-ed or honors fraternity--say the band fraternity, for example) and decide to no longer be a member of that particular sorority, you are ineligible to join another one. every sorority has a certain ritual they perform for initiations, meetings, etc., and every sorority considers these to be secret and sacred. if you've already seen the rituals for one sorority, they don't want you to join another one in case you spill the beans. i know it sounds crazy, but that's how it works.

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Makes sense though, from your explanation.

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So when you're happy (Hurray!), or sad (Aw!),
Or frightened (Eeek!), or mad (Rats!)
An interjection starts a sentence right.