If you asked my high school self if I would join a sorority in college, my answer would be, “No way in hell.”

I’m not a typical “sorority girl” in any sense of the word. I have thick, curly hair, I’m not skinny, preppy or a partier. I’d rather wear black over pink, get covered in tattoos than wear bows in my hair, and go crowdsurfing at a punk show over any frat party.

When I went to all of the Greek Life recruitment events during the first few weeks of my freshman year, I was skeptical, yet still somewhat interested. I even paid the fee to go through formal recruitment during the fall semester, but my RA had me convinced that all sororities haze and make you do drugs. So, I immediately withdrew myself from recruitment and went on with my life.

During the spring semester, one of my friends told me how great her sorority was and claimed they didn’t haze and that all the girls were great. This time, I put everyone else’s opinions about Greek Life aside and decided to try again. After visiting a few houses, I was asked back to the sorority I liked most, but still wasn’t quite sure what I was getting myself into. I remember walking up to my dorm room and seeing it covered in decorations. A bid had been slipped under the door, formally inviting me to join. I was ecstatic to be apart of something and to meet so many new faces — I couldn’t wait to get started.

Throughout the past three years, not everything went as planned. My closest friends now seem to be strangers, and at times I feel lost in a sea of people. We’re all supposed to be “sisters,” or at least friends, yet some people I know I will never talk to again after graduation. Just like high school, there are still cliques and backstabbing people. There are still rumors, judgements and bullies. When I began to lose friends around me, I considered not only dropping out of my sorority, but transferring to a whole new university. I remember feeling just like I did when I was 14 — an awkward, lonely, ghost-like teenager just passing through time.

Just before I decided to make any final decisions, I had the pleasure of meeting my “little sister,” who is essentially a miniature version of myself. We instantly clicked, and I started to feel like I belonged again. Shortly after, I met a surprisingly lovely guy in a fraternity and accompanied him to a formal dance.

Now a senior in college, I look back and try to decide what my college career would be like without Greek Life. Sure, I would have made friends within the other organizations I’m involved in, and I would maybe be a little less broke, and if I had the chance to do it all over again, I’m not exactly sure that I would. However, I don’t regret joining. Throughout my involvement, I met two best friends that I know I’ll keep for life, along with my boyfriend.

Before considering rushing a sorority or fraternity, just remember that being in Greek Life does not mean you’re “joining a cult” or “selling your soul.” You’re not “paying for friends,” you’re actually getting the chance to meet people similar to yourself who you may not have met through your classes and on-campus clubs. Most of all, the stereotypes aren’t necessarily true. I mean, I’m a walking contradiction to the cliche.

With recruitment season coming up, think about the possibilities. Don’t let others pressure you into joining or into not joining. There’s a world inside Greek Life, but there’s also a world outside on campus, and both are waiting to be explored.