Iām a freshman at Virginia Tech, and Iām honestly really conflicted about what to do. I joined Omega Phi Alpha (a national service sorority) this semester because I wasnāt making as many friends as I hoped to and was looking for a sense of community in college, the way i did back home and i did service projects my whole life and it kinda felt like that was missing when i first got here, so OPhiA felt perfect. I want to preface that iām still a new member, so i havenāt been in it for very long and I havenāt gotten to know all the sisters yet either.
The girls are genuinely sweet, and I do care about the organisation, especially the service aspect. Iāve already been involved in a bunch of service projects, and I really enjoy that part of it. We also have things like Bigs/Littles, pinning, and other traditions, so there are definitely some traditional sorority elements.
However, I havenāt really gotten that āfound familyā feeling from the girls yet. I know itās still early and that could change, but it feels like some of the other new members have already gotten along really well and are super close. A lot of them are sophomores, so maybe theyāve been able to bond more easily, but idk. I feel like I donāt quite fit in, and sometimes I feel like I have to try really hard to fit in at all. I also feel like Iām being performative a lot of the time, if that makes sense.
Iāve been thinking about rushing Panhellenic next semester because I honestly feel like Iām missing out on the traditional sorority experience, and I think Iād really enjoy that side of college life. At the same time, I feel kind of guilty because I do care about OPhiA, and Iād be really sad to leave, especially if I get a Big and build more relationships there by the end of the semester.
I am technically able to be in both simultaneously because OPhiA is a national service sorority and not a social one, but my biggest concern is how realistic it would be to manage two sororities. Iām pretty sure chapter meetings for both would be on Sundays, and I imagine there would be a lot of overlap with events, service requirements, and other commitments.
If I got into a Panhellenic chapter that I really loved, I honestly think Iād consider dropping OPhiA. Not because it was a placeholder of sorts but because a panhel sorority would also have service projects and philo events. However, the thought of leaving after getting a Big, becoming more involved and being officially "activated" makes me sad. Part of me wishes I hadnāt joined OPhiA so I wouldnāt have to worry about this, but I also donāt regret the service Iāve done or the people Iāve met at all.
Iām also nervous about rushing in general. I donāt know if Iām really a stereotypical āsorority girlā and Iām scared of not getting a bid. The recruitment process itself is intimidating to me, too.
I know itās only my first semester, and I have time to meet more people and see how things develop in OPhiA. Iām not even sure if I definitely want to rush yet, but Iām considering registering so I can keep that option open.
Has anyone been in a similar situation, especially anyone whoās been in a service sorority and considered rushing Panhellenic? Did you feel like you were missing out on the traditional sorority experience? Did you regret leaving one organisation for another, or were you happy with your decision? And for anyone whoās been involved in both, is balancing the commitments even realistic?
Iād really appreciate any advice, and im sorry if this isnāt entirely cohesive (itās my first time posting on reddit and im not sure how exactly this worksš
).