It’s exam week here at UF, which basically means it’s time to peruse every meaningless website available every time you get bored of studying. And let’s be honest — that happens about every five to 10 minutes. As a previously studious individual who just completed her last exam and is now in full summer mode, I know the ins and outs of these sites better than I know the Study Edge packet of calculus 2.
My dedication towards wasting time left me feeling a little sick to my stomach, however, and not because of the precious study hours that were wasted. After I re-read probably every article on GainesvilleScene, I moved on to nationally recognized pages like Buzzfeed, which I hate to admit, and Total Sorority Move. With the upcoming popularity of the new app Yik Yak (an anonymous app used to make fun of everyone besides your own Greek Life affiliation), and the steady flow of college students who consistently visit websites like Total Frat Move, I witnessed a horrendous amount of pointless information that sends the idea of Greek Life from all outside points of view into the nearest trash can.
We’re all aware of the effect of online personas on an individual, but what does it mean for a collective group of national organizations?
Unfortunately, adults and the large portion of the student body unaffiliated with Greek Life look down on those who are involved, and with good reason. The first thing I saw on Total Frat Move was a list of pretentious tweets that were sometimes comical but, for the most part, made me slowly shake my head and stalk out of the virtual Greek Life portal.
For example: “Bragging about how you finished the test before everyone else.” Really? Do most people in fraternities’ complete exams a faster rate than everyone else?
I’m not here to pick on every useless post by websites like TFM and TSM that push Greek Life deeper into a cultural landfill because that could take years. While there are people involved who actually do believe they are better than everyone else, that’s not the case for everyone.
As someone who joined a sorority this year, it took me a while to get over the stigma of Greek Life and consider getting involved with this segment of campus. However, after two semesters of adjusting to what was previously such a foreign concept, I find that the online façade of Greek Life is entirely inaccurate.
The drug and alcohol binging makes up a large portion of TSM and TFM, and yes, there is a lot of intense partying, and I’ve personally mornings where I wake up on my friend’s couch wondering what exactly happened last night, but these stereotypes overgeneralize far too much.
Via: TFM.com
A lot of young adults who recently left the nest are spending hefty chunks of time abusing various substances, but if you tack a nationally recognized name onto a group of people instead of one individual it sounds much worse.
While these extracurricular activities are fun to participate in and talk about, they should not be broadcasted via the internet, as it creates a bad name for Greek Life and labels its members as lazy, privileged students with no ambition.
Through my sorority experience, I’ve volunteered for nonprofit organizations multiple times, raised thousands of dollars for breast cancer and been encouraged to become involved in other ways on campus. I’ve gotten to know older girls who helped me pick classes, pass classes and survive a hectic first year away from home in general. I spend way more time studying in the library than I do playing beer pong at a fraternity house.
It’s only the mask of a name that gives people the confidence to say things they shouldn’t say online, even more so than hiding behind a screen.
We are going through all kinds of new experiences and it’s important to maintain perspective. While TFM posts about a “bunch of topless supermodels and famous chicks,” remember that there are people involved in Greek Life not calling unaffiliated members “GDIs” and spending every second of every day chugging alcohol.
When the sorority and fraternity labels are stripped away, we’re left with nothing but normal college students learning how to function in the real world, and not behind a computer screen.
Featured photo courtesy of: Westword
