How LSU Changed Me Forever

August, 2011. I moved into West Laville Honors Hall, ready to start anew. High school left me tired, angry and bored. I anticipated the memories I would make, the friends I would meet and the classes I would take. None of it had happened yet, which made it most exciting. I began the fresh start immediately.

I rushed. I met wonderful women in all ten Panhellenic sororities, and I found my home in ZTA. I pledged to be loyal, considerate and loving to my new sisters. I learned the secrets. I made the house my home. Those girls became my sisters after sharing closets, memories and stories. We walked the lakes together, we celebrated together, we studied together. I held a sister's hand when she ended a destructive relationship. I cried when she was hurt. We told jokes and pulled pranks. I lounged in the front yard, adored our housekeeper and laughed loudly at all hours of the night.

I enrolled in classes. I received a 'D' on my very first college paper, a wake-up call for the egocentric high school valedictorian. I met with my professor. I took notes. I listened to feedback. I learned there is always room for improvement. I finished MC 2011 with an 'A.'

I went to every home football game. I tailgated. I learned to like beer. I stood on bleachers in the burning sun, chanting, "Geaux!" until my voice was hoarse. I sweated in sundresses and sandals, and swore nothing, absolutely nothing, could cheer a soul like those hallowed four notes in pregame. I watched Tigers like Reid, Claiborne, Mingo, Mathieu, Randle, Ware, Landry, Hill and Beckham, Jr. become legends. I watched in disbelief when the Tide felled the Tigers. I got upset. I got real upset. Then, I remembered there's more to a college than its football team, and in my case there was a lot more to LSU than its football team. I stormed the field. I sang. I cheered. I cried while singing the Alma Mater for the last time, arms wrapped around my sisters, because there's no place like Louisiana State University.

I took my parents' advice and "got involved." I wrote for The Daily Reveille. My sisters elected me to ZTA's executive council. Twice. I studied abroad for a summer in Ireland.  I represented the Manship School in a purple polo and recruited future students. I landed a few internships. I listened to lectures and concerts, watched movies and plays and volunteered for the community.

I met a boy in class. He walked me from Coates to the Union. He took me to the Northgate for our first date. We picnicked on the Parade Grounds. We danced at Groovin'. We learned everything about each other in Alex Box, on the Indian Mounds and in Middleton. He pinned his fraternity badge on me. I fell in love.

I met people from faraway, mysterious places like England, Bangladesh, New York, California, Missouri... and the North Shore. I laughed until tears leaked down my cheeks, clutching my ribs. I learned much about my major, and the more I knew, the more I understood I actually know very little. I questioned my faith. I ran back to God, quickly. I re-evaluated my political beliefs. I stood firm on the big things, but I did reconsider the smaller issues. I became wiser. I became confident. I became a better listener. I became a better speaker. I became a better thinker.

Louisiana State University made me the woman I always wanted to be. I've done everything at LSU I dreamed I would when I first moved in, except one thing.

And tomorrow, I graduate.

Thinking about whatever is just,
Danielle

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16 Things Being In a Sorority Taught Me

The perks of graduating a semester early are fantastic, but there's one big con. I get a head start on graduate school, but I also have to move out of my sorority house a semester early. One of the biggest reasons I decided to rush is that I always wanted siblings. An only child, I thought having sorority sisters would be the closest thing to the real thing. Today I can say with confidence that those women are my sisters, and I'd do anything in the world for them. Beside gaining sisters, I also gained some practical knowledge from joining Zeta Tau Alpha.

1. Being in a sorority taught me how to share.
I didn't have many opportunities to learn how to share as I child since I didn't have siblings. I learned real quickly how to share everything with my sisters once I moved in the house. Sharing house chores, sharing closets, sharing a room, sharing a mirror, sharing snacks...

2. Being in a sorority taught me how to lead.
I don't know how other sororities function, but there's an opportunity for everyone in mine to lead. I joined programming council the second semester of my freshman year as service chair. My sisters trusted me to organize service projects like Operation: Christmas Child and helping out at the Special Olympics. I even got to throw a 90th birthday party for the woman responsible for my chapter's national charter. After gaining experience as service chair, I decided to run for executive council. My sisters elected me two years in a row on the council as the chapter's public relations chair and ritual chair. I learned so many skills in those leadership positions, like how to be a peacemaker, how to represent my sisters in public and how to communicate my ideas clearly. I know that these skills will come in handy in the workplace.

3. Being in a sorority taught me how to follow.

While it's important to learn how to lead, it's also important to learn how to follow. I learned to respect authority, obey orders and ask how I can help those above me how I can help. This goes full circle, because people are more likely to follow me when it's my time to lead if I follow others when it's their time to lead.

4. Being in a sorority taught me how to fight... fairly.
The thing about have more than 300 sisters is never in a million years will every single person agree on anything. Be it the location of semi-formal, how much money we spend on house renovations or whether to have tacos or pasta for dinner, someone will disagree with you. I learned to pick my fights. What was worth fighting for? When was it ok to let it go? I learned to approach those that disagreed with me with kindness, open ears and strength.

5. Being in a sorority taught me how to speak in public.
Every week for my two years on executive council I had to stand up in front of hundreds of women and give a report for my office. At first, I rambled. I stumbled my way through my notes and my neck broke out with splotchy red spots. I wasn't necessarily afraid of speaking in public - especially in front of the women I called my sisters - but it wasn't something I was comfortable with. Over the months, I learned tips and tricks to speak concisely and confidently. Public speaking is now a breeze!

6. Being in a sorority taught me the art of conversation.
Perhaps the most nerve-wracking part of being in a sorority is the hell that is recruitment. Bouncing, clapping, singing and dressing in matching dresses has absolutely no benefit to learning about potential members. Unfortunately, we're stuck doing it until the entire row can agree that it's probably best to spend more time speaking to incoming freshman instead of trying to impress them with how pretty we can look while chanting at them in high heels. Rant aside, I learned the art of conversation while rushing potential members. I learned to never ask questions like, "Soooo, what's your major?" and "How's the weather out there?" (answers: "I don't know what I'm doing with my life yet, so stop freaking me out" and "Humid and 105 degrees, please ignore my sweat stains, dripping make-up, and overall stench"). I instead learned how to take the awkward situation of rush and instead make a girl feel at home by simply getting to know her. I can get the small talk out of the way, read body language and ask poignant questions that stimulate real conversation.

7. Being in a sorority taught me how to delegate.
While serving on executive council, some of my sisters signed up to be my assistants. I learned to give my assistants assignments. It saved me stress during busy weeks, and it taught my assistants skills they needed to know.

8. Being in a sorority taught me how to keep a secret.
The absolute coolest thing about being in a sorority is the secret rituals. Rituals are a time when we learn about the qualities that make a good woman, and how to live moral lives. Rituals bind me with my sisters who live across the nation, who are much older than me and who are younger than me. I swore to keep what happens in ritual a secret, and I'll keep that secret to my grave.

9. Being in a sorority taught me to be a feminist.
Despite the stereotype, sorority women are strong, smart and forward-thinking people. Sororities were founded by women in a time when they couldn't even cast ballots. Sororities are little havens of society where women can lead and encourage other women to excel at whatever they want to accomplish in life. I've learned to demand equal pay for equal work and to fight against domestic abuse, sexual assault and rape.

10. Being in a sorority taught me how to give.
Philanthropy is a huge aspect of my sorority, and I've learned to put others before myself. I am cheerful to give my money, energy and time to causes I believe in. I've also learned to help out people I love, including my sorority sisters. When they're caught in a tight spot, I will do anything I can to help.

11. Being in a sorority taught me to say 'no.'
In high school, I was the annoying girl involved in absolutely EVERY club or activity. When I pledged my sorority, I learned to pick and choose what I want to dedicate my time to. I learned that it's best to excel in one or two organizations rather than stretching myself too thin among dozens of organizations. I learned to say "no" when asked to take positions I didn't really want or to do tasks I really didn't enjoy. I am a less anxious and less stressed person, and I'm thankful for it.

12. Being in a sorority taught me to stand up for myself.
My sisters have instilled confidence and composure in me. I've learned to stand up when people try to walk over me. I've learned to keep my cool when others push me around. My sisters encourage me to do what's best.

13. Being in a sorority taught me to stand up for others.
Even more important than standing up for yourself is standing up for others who don't have the power or strength to stand up for themselves. I've learned to use my skills for good. When my sister is being treated unfairly, you can bet I have her back.

14. Being in a sorority taught me how to work on a team.
My sorority has hundreds of different personalities. One of the reasons I chose to accept the bid from my sorority over others is because it didn't have a cookie-cutter personality or image. I enjoyed the diversity. Working with people who are different than you can prove to be difficult though. I learned to work with people from all different backgrounds and hometowns and cultures for a common goal.

15. Being in a sorority taught me how to have fun.
I'm a very serious person. I take my studies and my work very seriously, and sometimes I forget to enjoy life. My sisters taught me to enjoy the moment and to have fun in all things.

16. Being in a sorority taught me how to be a friend.
Above everything else, being in a sorority taught me how to be a good friend. I learned this by watching other women pour their love on me. My sisters have gone out of their way to help me understand economics homework, take me to dinner, do my hair, watch Netflix with me, drive me across town, call me out when I do wrong, thank me when I do right, listen to my rants, laugh with me, congratulate me, cry with me, hold my hand, hug my neck and show me that they love me. I, in return, show my love for my sisters similarly. Love is selfless. Love is putting others before yourself. Love is the foundation of friendship and the foundation of sisterhood. My sisters taught me to love greatly, love fully and love deeply. My sorority has blessed me with friendships that will last a lifetime, and I am so thankful.

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Thanking about whatever is just,
Danielle