What it’s like to be a part of a Christian sorority

I walked up to this purple, Victorian style house/mansion (see bottom) during the first full week of classes last fall. It was Thursday, dark already, and I noted the cute cobblestone driveway.

I never thought I’d be checking out a sorority in college, and I’d only been here a week.

I don’t know about you, but when I got accepted into Cal, I wasn’t planning on having too much fun. We know that acceptance into and attendance at Cal isn’t a light idea – we expect the work, since we’ve worked hard to get here. I planned to study all the time, take breaks when I needed to, and go out with my boyfriend on Fridays. I enjoy Doctor Who, collecting succulents, and staying in on Saturday nights. Not much of the typical sorority girl.

You’re probably asking, “then how did you end up in a sorority?” My mindset was “Get in, get out. Study, work hard, and always be on top of things.” Have I completely turned over my philosophy of college?

One may say that.

How? All my misconceptions were turned over, first of all.

Confessions and Misconceptions of a UCB Christian Sorority Girl.

Can a Christian Sorority even exist?

That was my thought the first time I entered the sorority house. Are these people even real? What about all the crazy stories I’ve heard about sororities? Do they drink? Are they really Christian?

After going to that first rush event, yes, I did evaluate the girls. I had had fun. They were nice, they were welcoming, and no, I didn’t catch any weirdness or any sense of cliquey-ness. They were just normal girls who have a Christian faith (like many of my friends back home).

If anything, it was the sense that I could  relate to at least some of them (see #3). It looked like they were all good friends with each, and that’s when I felt myself want that.

The spiritual aspect is there, as it is important to us. The encouragement and genuine love I have with these girls through our faith is something that is unique, and, I believe, makes us stand out as a sorority on this campus. It has meant more than I could have anticipated, to be able to be accepted, loved, and encouraged no matter what.

Sororities are creepy and weird

My conceptions of a sorority came from movies (probably), and I can’t even remember now which those are. I think I watched one that had a cultish ritual scene in a dark room and it felt like they were summoning spirits (good or bad, I don’t know).

However, the only “weird” thing I have found so far is the keeping of sorority “secrets” and the strict adherence to tradition. Just Google it! You won’t find ANYTHING about sorority secrets online.

We do have traditions, but even these don’t make it weird, so much as they just create a sense of belonging to the organization. Knowing that everyone else goes through the same makes it nostalgic as the semesters go by.

But what about that cult-like vibe? Well, believe it when I say that if there were any of that, I definitely wouldn’t be a part of it.

Sorority Girls are not my type

My understanding of sorority girls who drink and party all the time was just not a picture I had painted for myself, so why would I associate?

My understanding from some of my sisters are that they too did not imagine themselves joining a sorority for one reason or another. The thing is, sorority girls aren’t a “type” that walk onto campus ready to join a sorority, so much as they are just normal girls who are looking for friends they can relate with. I have found the most caring, inspiring, and hard-working, faith inspired girls through my sorority, whom I can trust with all my stories and experiences and struggles; it’s like having a big group of really close best friends.

You go partying every weekend

Mine doesn’t, in the traditional sense. Mostly in fact, we go shopping with each other, study together, and take a semesterly retreat away where we can refresh and rejuvenate spiritually, emotionally, and communally. We also have social events with our brothers (all without alcohol involved).

We go rock climbing, do lots of crafts, go to the gym, drive each other around, cook food, have movie and game nights, and just generally hang out.

They take a lot of time (away from studying)

Now, this is a true one. It does take away time during the week, but the bigger issue was that I thought joining a sorority would mean that I wasn’t being serious about school.

I definitely didn’t plan to sacrifice a whole weekend for a retreat. And I DEFINITELY wasn’t planning on committing my time to any meetings or social events. I wouldn’t have time for that.

But no, the time spent did not mean I wasn’t serious about school; it meant that I was providing for my well-being by surrounding myself with girls who could encourage me through all my academic/non-academic experiences and be there for me when I was ready to really wind down and take a break from it all.

What IS a sorority anyway?

The concept just eluded me. What was the purpose of a sorority? Why was it so official? I could just make friends normally, right?

I do have friends outside of my sorority. However, these girls are my main. There was something lacking when I began school here last fall– I wasn’t acknowledging the fact that I needed and wanted a group, community, squad, fam, whatever you want to call it. Yes, maybe I was setting unrealistic study commitments. But yes, I still work hard so I can graduate next year. But it’s these amazing sisters I have found that are definitely one of the things at the top of my list during my time here at Cal.