Choosing to live on Greek Row can be a decision of a lifetime. Greek Life can be challenging and intimidating and while it isn’t for everyone, it can be one of the best decisions a person can make.
Being from a family who had never been a part of the Greek system, I had no idea what I was getting into. I was scared of the stereotypes and didn’t know if it was right for me. But, after talking to a few mentors who had been a part of the Greek system and hearing about the volunteer and leadership opportunities, I knew it was the right move.
When I decided to join, formal recruitment took place on Zoom; even with those limitations, the way it was set up allowed me to make informed decisions on where I wanted to be while also giving me the opportunity to show my true self and make connections with each of the chapters. Eventually, recruitment led me to opening my bid card on bid day and seeing Delta Delta Delta. I had found my home, and I couldn’t have been happier.
Going Greek and joining a house can lead to a lot of different things: gaining new friends, fun and memorable experiences, leadership opportunities and a support system. While all of these things can ring true, it all depends on what someone puts into their time in the chapter. For me, joining a chapter was the best thing I could have done for myself, as it showed me how to balance school, work and personal time.
Moving into Tri Delta felt like winning the lottery; I would be living in a mansion with a bunch of new best friends and the cost was comparable to that of living in the dorms. Most Greek houses have a similar layout of a kitchen, dining room, formal living room, laundry room, sleeping porches, individual member rooms, TV rooms and other rooms for meetings or just hanging out.
When moving in, the biggest thing I was worried about was having to sleep on a sleeping porch. Which, to my knowledge, was just one big room with a bunch of bunk beds where everyone in the house slept.
Being a light sleeper, I didn’t think I could do it. But I was pleasantly surprised that I wasn’t bothered by noises at all; it being a room for strictly sleeping meant it was 24-hour quiet and dark, so I could take a nap whenever I wanted and not be bothered.
The sleeping porches are set up with a bunch of bunk beds and it feels like a giant sleepover every night. Not every chapter house has a sleeping porch, but I think that they are a bonus for functionality and comfort.
My favorite part of living in the chapter house has been the TV rooms and the individual living rooms. With the TV rooms, we have movie marathons and painting parties where we just get to hang out with each other.
Our individual rooms come with a vanity, desk with shelves and a closet. At first I was worried about having enough space for everything, but the storage is surprisingly roomy and I never end up using it all. I also like that we are allowed to decorate our units, because it’s fun going through the house and seeing the different decor and how it matches everyone’s personalities.
Another great thing has been the food. Most chapter houses have a chef that cooks meals for the members. Our chef, Mariah, puts in so much time and effort into making our food and it’s always delicious. While the house itself comes with a lot of great things and is a huge bonus, going Greek offers a lot more than just a place to live.
Since living in the house, I have been a part of some amazing things; I’ve gone river rafting, flower picking, painted pottery, raised money for amazing philanthropies, contributed to countless community service events, been to formal dances, helped with recruitment, planned major events and roomed with my best friends.
Greek Life has a lot to offer and it can be a great choice for someone wanting to be a part of an active community.
Addison Thomson can be reached at [email protected]