College is all about discovering who you are and what you are interested in. It’s about sharing new experiences, making new friends, and molding the person you’re going to be when you step out into the world. Now, one of the rites of passage that a lot of people face when they attend college is the initiation into a fraternity or sorority. These are time-honored traditions, and these societies generally have a rich and varied past.
If you are looking for something fun to do to help take your mind off the stress of college life and exams, this could be the perfect choice for you. But, how do you know that joining a fraternity or sorority is right for you, and that it will give you everything you need? We’re going to look at some of the pros and cons of joining a sorority or frat.
Pros – it’s sociable
One of the biggest advantages of joining a fraternity or sorority is the sociable aspect. You will get to meet new people who share common interests with you, and you’ll have the opportunity to make some really great friends. This is one of the key reasons why so many people join frats and sororities, and they rank as one of the most important and appealing aspects of college life. So, definitely bear this in mind if you are looking to make new friends and share new experiences.
Cons – hazing
Almost all fraternities and sororities will make their new pledges engage in what is known as hazing. This is generally a light-hearted affair, but sometimes the hazing can be pretty gross or even bordering on illegal. It might be an idea to research your fraternity a little more closely before opting to pledge for them. That way you are less likely to be caught unawares, and you’ll have more of an idea of what to expect.
Pros – could help you find employment
Believe it or not, being a member of a fraternity or sorority house could actually go a long way toward helping you with employment prospects. It’s a wonderful way of networking and building up contacts, which will help you to understand and observe exactly the right people to give yourself the opportunity of employment. You might meet people who know people, or people who are already working in some capacity. Making connections with these people is a really important way of improving job prospects.
Cons – time commitments
College is a great time to socialize, but you need to know whether you have the time to get involved in a sorority or frat. There are a lot of different things you’re going to have on your plate already as it is, and things might get a bit much for you in that respect. Between revision, exams, study groups, and clubs, you might struggle to fit in the fraternity or sorority, and their demands for dedication and commitment. Think about this before you sign up, and do as much as possible to ensure you have time.
These are just some of the things you need to seriously consider before you take the step of signing up for a sorority or fraternity. This isn’t just the sort of thing you sign up to then ignore; you’re going to need to put in work and effort. These are an excellent source of socializing at college, but you need to be aware of what you’re getting into.
