Independence Day

I've often wondered, from my freshman year on, what college life is like for people who aren't in fraternities and sororities... the often referred to "GDIs."

For me, my entire college social life has been wrapped up in the Greek system. I have had little brothers, little sisters, bigs, and siblings. I parade around campus every Wednesday in my jersey. I live with sisters and have made some of the best friends I will ever have in Greek organizations. I will spend hours shopping for a themed party or social, or a formal dress (and please don't tell me other girls don't spend hours shopping... let's be realistic), and if I can't find anything or am strapped for cash, hey, I'll just send out a message to all 150 of my sisters to see who can lend me something. No biggie.

But while talking to a friend (aka the little bro), we started wondering how different and similar our college experiences were to theirs.

Sure, I'm sure they go out, drink, study, just the same as we do. But do they attend themed parties on a regular basis? Do they have any formal events... ever? How about the trends? Do they ever "frat it up?" When they see a tan, skinny, blonde-and-straight-haired girl with a Panhellenic Poof in said hair, Sperrys on her feet, and Vera on her back, do they know, as I do, that she must be in a sorority?

I guess the thing that is most difficult to understand for me is where they make their friends? Where do they get their potential dating interests? I know that as a proud sorority girl, I shouldn't be perpetuating the stereotype of Greeks as people who pay for their friends, but in a way, we are. Joining a Greek organization doesn't guarantee that you'll get friends, but it's definitely an effective way to make friends. When you first join, everyone's trying to get to know you and you try to get to know them. They bring you around different fraternities and you make friends there too. They've got a vested interest in you. I've never made a friend in class, nor in any other on campus clubs I'm in. I can't imagine dating someone from a job. Would a GDI think it's weird that I think that?

I don't really know how a different kind of college experience works, but I know that for me, being a Greek was a fit. I have more friends than I know what to do with, and I have something to do most of the time.

Jenuinely yours,
Jen

Edit: Several people have commented basically saying that I'm attacking the GDIs. Independents. Whatever you want to call them. Sorry if that gives off that impression. Please note that this post is all about me wondering. This is what parts of my life are like. It's not an attack on yours, it's wondering how yours works because it's not something I've experienced.