Whenever I think about my college search process, I’m reminded of the stress and uncertainty I felt. As a first-generation student, I couldn’t share my questions or ideas with my family and had no guidance. I was always told to have a plan after high school, but I had no idea where to start. I’ll never forget the moment I received my college acceptance email—it came right after football practice. I was so excited to tell my parents, but their reaction was filled with skepticism and concern. The cost of college weighed heavily on their minds. Determined to make it work, I researched every scholarship I was eligible for and applied to as many as possible. Not to mention, I am trying to figure all this out during the middle of COVID. My university also offered a loan repayment assistance program, which I qualified for. Eventually, my first day of college arrived. It was daunting not knowing anyone from my high school or hometown.
On top of that, I couldn’t turn to my parents for advice because they hadn’t experienced college. I was looking for a fresh start, eager to prove to my family that college was the right path for me. Before arriving on campus, I had expressed interest in joining a fraternity. Despite seeing portrayals of Greek life in the media, I wanted to experience it for myself. After being stuck in my hometown during COVID, I craved a sense of community. [Lindenwood University], a small Division II private school an hour away from home, had three fraternities and three sororities. One of my first memorable interactions was with my dorm’s RA, who happened to be the president of Phi Delt. He gave me a tour of not just the campus but also the surrounding area, and the members of Phi Delt welcomed me with open arms. It was refreshing to feel like I could be myself without having to pretend to be someone else. The Fraternity’s members were all unique, with different personalities and quirks, but it worked—and I knew I wanted to do more than just be a member.
