7 Ways Sororities Impact Your Post-Grad Life

When I joined a sorority my freshman year of college, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I had never really thought about the benefits of joining a sorority, because it was never something I had ever pictured myself doing. However, I went to a large university, and I was looking for a way to get involved and meet new people. At an activities expo the first week of school, I walked by tables for improv troupes, activist groups, dance teams, and even a Quidditch team. I decided to sign up for a hiking club and met with the school newspaper's staff, but something else kept catching my eye: Greek letters. There were sorority tables mixed in with the rest, and when my gaze lingered too long at one, I was approached by one of the members — and I found myself intrigued by what she said being in a sorority was like. Flash forward a few months, and I was a full-blown sorority girl. Who would've guessed?

When I signed up for recruitment, when I pledged, and even when I became a sister, I had no idea how much being in a sorority would change my life. I'm sure you've heard it all before: in my sisterhood, I met some of my best friends, grew as a person, and really found myself. It sounds corny, but it's all true, and even after graduating, my time as a sorority girl has affected my post-grad life. In my work life, in my social life, in my hobbies, and even in myself, I can see the way that my sisterhood has changed me.

If you were in a sorority, then you probably know exactly what I mean. Here are seven ways being in a sorority affects your life after college.

1. You find excuses to craft as often as possible.

Bachelorette parties, baby showers, work events, and birthday parties — no matter what the occasion, you're the first to volunteer to make the decorations. You find your hot glue gun trigger finger itching constantly, and it surprises no one when you spend your Sunday afternoon in the company of scrapbook paper or a basket of puffy paint. You can't help it, it's ingrained in you now.

2. It takes a while to drop the lingo.

How long will your Big be your Big? Always, of course, but when do you stop calling her that, and start addressing her by her real name? It feels a little like calling your mom by her first name, but eventually, you'll drop the sorority lingo — well, mostly.

3. You're an expert conversationalist.

Be it a job interview, small talk on the elevator, or meeting your future in-laws, you can make it through a conversation with anyone. You sat through recruitment on both sides, talked to hundreds of sisters and potential new members, and after that, there's nothing you can't talk (and smile) your way through.

4. You can balance work and fun like a pro.

You're not the type of person who leaves their "to-do" list half-checked. You can manage to go to the gym, show up for work early, meet friends for drinks, and update your blog all in the same day, because in a sorority, you got used to the juggling act. If you could plan recruitment, attend weekly chapter, work part-time, keep your GPA up, and go to a mixer every week, you can do pretty much anything.

5. You still love giving back, and not just around the holidays.

Being in a sorority gave you a chance to be philanthropic in a lot of ways, from raising money through a bake sale to volunteering at a homeless shelter for a weekend. After graduation, you will find that your giving spirit grows instead of shrinks, and you'll want to do a lot more than toss your change into the red buckets at Christmas time. You will seek out ways to give back, whether it's through a work fundraiser or a charity run. Embrace it, because it's one of the best things about your post-sorority self.

6. You'll seek leadership positions, at work and otherwise.

Your experience being in Greek life pushed you to explore your boundaries, challenged you to take charge, and gave you an opportunity to be a leader. Post-grad, you have that same drive to be in control, so you will push yourself toward the next promotion, or take point on organizing a charity event for an organization you're involved with. You will always be looking for the next opportunity to lead, and maybe if you're lucky, even make a difference.

7. Even on your worst days, you can pull it together.

After a bad day at work, when family issues are going on, after a break up, you name it, you can always shake it off and put your best foot forward. Being in a sorority and wearing letters meant that when you walked on campus, you represented not just yourself, but your entire sisterhood, so you learned to leave your bad days at home and put your best face on. You still know how to act your best, even when you're feeling your worst. Don't worry — you can always go home, eat cookie dough, and Skype your Big and tell her everything.

Images: Greek@Duke/Flickr; Giphy (7)