Alpha Xi Delta

Going on college visits as a junior in high school and hearing about all the things different schools had to offer, I decided I never wanted to be apart of any Greek organization. Throughout my senior year when I was asked if I was going to rush in the fall, I told everyone I was swearing off sororities. To me, sororities looked fake and like a waste of money and I didn’t want to be apart of that. When my mom was in college, she was apart of Alpha Xi Delta at Ohio Northern and although she talked highly of the organization, I thought she was dumb for doing it (sorry Mom). But, that all changed when I got to school. Going to college at such a small school, I was nervous about making friends and finding a group of friends I could trust. I am not an independent person so besides my roommate and friend from home, Marie, I felt almost alone. That is when I decided that maybe I would give Greek life a chance.

As I started going to events and learning more about each chapter on campus, I noticed the difference in the sororities at ONU versus a larger school. I felt as though on a smaller campus, it is much more personal and about meeting people who share the same passions as I do. In all of the different chapters, I saw something similar in all of them, yet they were all different from each other. I saw love and friendship that would not have been there if it wasn’t for the sororities they were all apart of. I then made the choice to continue with the process through recruitment, which I somehow convinced my roommate to do with me. Going through the three rounds taught me about each sorority and what kind of people were in each one. By the last night, I had made multiple connections that made it difficult for me to chose which one was my preference. With my mom and aunt both being Alpha Xi Deltas, I felt like picking that one meant I was only doing it because I was a legacy. But the more I thought about it and the people I met during the rounds, I knew Alpha Xi was the right choice for me. The morning following preference night, I, along with my roommate, received a bid for Alpha Xi Delta and was on my way to becoming a full on sorority girl. Bid Day was a rush of emotions and it is difficult to remember exactly what I was feeling, but I know now how grateful I am that I decided to take my bid. Although the stigma that sororities often have on college campuses, I have found a place I can call home, girls who will be my friends for life and a mom who is now my sister (weird).

I think the best part of rushing was the fact that my roommate and I got bids for the same sorority. Although we have been close from the beginning, being in the same sorority has made us even better friends. By participating in the same events and doing practically everything together, we have become close in a short amount of time. Even though she was doubting the idea of taking the bid and joining Alpha Xi Delta, I know she is happy with her decision and I am happy that she made it too. Joining the chapter gave me a closer bond with my roommate than I could ever imagine and I will always be thankful for that fact.

Not only was I given a close relationship with my roommate, but I also was given the best big and fam. I got the chance to meet Karlyn on the second night of recruitment and instantly knew I was meant to meet her. She already knows me so well and is always there for me and I couldn’t imagine being at Ohio Northern without her. We are very similar not only because of the fact we have the same major but we are also similar in personality. Karlyn and I share similar passions in life and can relate to each other for almost any situation. I know the impact she has already had on my life and I can’t wait to see how our relationship develops in the future.

Lastly, joining Alpha Xi gave me a special relationship with my mom that I did not expect to come out of joining the sorority. For some reason, I feel closer to her knowing I am not only at her school but also apart of the same sisterhood she was back in her day. It is a unique feeling because not much has changed between us, yet it feels different. I also think it is hilarious telling people that my mom and I are sisters because they often get very confused. Living her legacy, even if I’m not going to be a pharmacist, is something that will remain special to me for the rest of my life.

Even being apart of Alpha Xi for the short time I have, I already have made great friends and lasting memories for years to come and I know there will be many more in the future. I am grateful I decided to give Greek life a chance because it is the best decision I have made thus far at college.