Like summer camp, but you live there all year!
Having so many relatives that participated in Greek life during their college career exposed me to the wonderful community it creates. I have grown up hearing stories from parents, grandparents, and cousins about the lifelong friends and memories they made through their sorority or fraternity. I even got to meet lots of these people that they spoke so highly of! Because of all this, I was certain that I wanted to join a sorority at Indiana University.
Going through the recruitment process was something I looked forward to the entire first semester of my freshman year. Through sorority recruitment I had a unique opportunity to make connections with members of all the chapters on IU’s campus. After several weeks of recruitment, I finally found a home at Alpha Chi Omega.
Fast forward to sophomore year, it was time to move into 1000 North Jordan Avenue. As overwhelming as it may have seemed to some, I could not WAIT to live in a house full of 100 girls (even though I was only just starting to meet the all). My mom was actually an Alpha Chi here at IU and lived in this same exact house!! It was so cool to hear about all of the things that were still the same about Alpha Chi. Through my first year living in the house, I got closer than I ever could have imagined to the girls in my chapter. We spent so many late nights watching movies, going for ice cream runs, and just running around the house. I couldn’t believe that I had gone so long without these people! Not to mention our Chef Clard serves the most UNREAL dinners.
One of the things that sticks out the most about being in Alpha Chi Omega is the never-ending kindness. Whether it’s a sticky note on your desk before a big exam, a surprise birthday basket, or a leftover cookie on your desk, the women in Alpha Chi are always doing things to show that they care. These random acts are only a small way that these friends continue to support me on a daily basis. I can confidently say that I could hang out with any member of my chapter and have fun no matter what we are doing. This year is my last year living in the chapter house and while I am having a hard time coming to terms with that, I am beyond fortunate to have had this unique opportunity. Never again in my life will I live under the same roof with all of my closest friends and I cherish every day spent here.
There are a variety of amazing organizations on Indiana’s campus and I am thankful for the positive experience I have gained through Panhellenic. For many people, Greek life may seem superficial, but Alpha Chi could not be farther from that. Without it, I would not have met some of my very best friends that share similar values and whose friendships extend much deeper than just someone to hangout with on the weekends. I now know the connections that my family members tell stories about and I cannot wait to share the same with my own kids.
