Greek life seems to have a very polarizing effect on most people. Either you love it, or you hate it. In some cases, you might love it, but you aren’t capable of doing it, and in others, you might hate it, but its benefits clearly outweigh its faults. In the end, participating in Greek life is a very personal choice and the effect it has on your life, both during and after college, is completely dependent on your personal situation. If you’re on the fence, you’re going to have to ask yourself a few key questions and answer them honestly. Here is how to know if it’s worth it to join Greek life in college.
Can You Actually Afford It?
A lot of people really want to pledge for a sorority or fraternity, but they simply can’t afford it. You may get free housing, but there are a lot of other financial burdens that really start to add up, and you need to be aware of what the sum total will be at the end of each semester. If you are looking into any particular house, make sure you get a detailed list of all the expenses involved so that you can determine whether or not the financial burden is something you can truly handle.
Are You Outgoing?
Greek life is not for the introverted. When you share a house with dozens of people and you are constantly required to plan and organize events, you are going to need to be very socially adept. If you have any kinds of social anxieties that you’re working through, then you will want to make sure you’ve worked through them completely before you try to pledge for a house. The last thing you want to do is get yourself into a living situation that sends you into anxious panic attacks.
What Will it Do for Your Resume?
For some people, listing their involvement with a sorority or fraternity can be a great way to really boost their resume. For others, it really doesn’t do anything. It all depends on the role that you play in your particular house, and the types of jobs that you will be applying for. If you’re not sure how Greek affiliations will look on your resume, be sure to talk to your guidance counselor and get their opinion before you pledge.
Are You Capable of Taking on the Extra Responsibilities?
One of the reasons why a lot of people are moving toward online colleges, like Case Western Online, is because they want to earn their degrees without having to make their whole life about college. Then again, some people really revel in the ability to immerse themselves completely in the college experience. If you want to be in a fraternity or sorority, you’re going to have to work very hard all year long. There are chores, meetings, events, and all kinds of bonding activities that you will be expected to participate in to your fullest. If you start falling behind on these responsibilities, you could be fined and/or kicked out.
