Why 'Paying for your Friends' is Money Well Spent

Going Greek is one of the best decisions a person could make while they are in college. There are so many arguments as to why you shouldn’t and why Greek life is evil; you hardly get to hear the arguments as to why you should. I went to college knowing I wanted to join a sorority.

Photo by murraystateuniversity via Flickr.com

I’m slightly awkward, so making friends without aid was an idea that made me squirm. Most enter college with friends that they have years of history with, friends that are effortless and reliable. Furthermore, most enter college with an attitude towards meeting new people that isn’t ‘shrink up and die from awkwardness.’ Needless to say, I needed help. I think most need help and they are either too prideful to ask, or they grunt through their insecurities and suck it up. Joining a sorority allows one to identify with a group of girls they find like themselves and then ultimately develop friendships.

So, you’re not as shy as a turtle. What’s in it for you? The selection process. I’ve compared stories with people who never went through recruitment or decided to after a year or two of waiting and the same story prevails. They indeed met people, but it took a while to finally meet people they felt they shared commonalities. Make it easy on yourself. Let recruitment do it for you.

I won’t get into the sappy sisterhood crap that sororities love to gush about. Yes, I am Greek and I am proud to say the love for my sisters and my big and my little do not in fact gush out of my pores when I talk about them. Rather, they are relationships that have changed me for the better. I respect them. I cherish them. I have learned to love people unlike myself because we share a common bond. The principles of Greek life have taught me invaluable lessons about people, relationships, and life.

Okay, so if you’re not buying it, let me guess, you think Greeks party too hard? You’re not completely wrong. Greek people do party. But so do people who are not Greek. Bars in Tallahassee are packed nearly every Friday and Saturday night. The Greek to non-Greek ratio would suggest that there are more people in this town than just Greek people who like to party. You think your grades will slip? Your grades will slip regardless if they are not a priority. Don’t confuse a fear of slipping grades for a lack of self control.

So, why exactly is this concept of paying for your friends so ignorant? Because you are not paying for people to be friends with you. It could be argued that if you purchase an Xbox you are paying for your friends. Essentially you’re doing the same exact thing. You’re investing in something that encourages community. Going Greek means growing as a person with people who share a similar experience. Going Greek is the best money I’ve ever spent.

http://greeklife.fsu.edu/