Reasons why not…Reasons why

I almost didn’t join APHIO. I’m not the most outgoing, social butterfly of the group. I only went to Info Night because a friend asked me to come along with her. It was so late in my college career; I wondered how much I could contribute with so little time left at Davis. And then I almost dropped out during the pledging process because there was so much on my plate already that quarter. All reasons that almost stopped me from having one of the best college experiences ever.

So I might not be the most experienced or best spokesperson or the cheerleader of this fraternity. But I can tell you that you will feel good after performing hours and hours of service. That you’ll feel so much IPhi pride at Sectionals and Nationals. That being invited to extracurricular events by your brothers will make you feel included because it’s not something they have to do but want to do. That getting mugged by someone is the best recognition. That buying gifts for and trying to trick your lil’s makes you feel all giddy inside. That watching guys eat as many bananas as they can or girls jello-wrestle is just silly but hilarious. That you will never work as hard as you do when you’re pledging (unless you’re “in office”).

The point is when I was still naïve and wavering with my decision to join, pledge, and become a brother of APHIO, I used to ask myself all the time “Is this really worth it?” Only now with age (yeah I’m old) and time, I’m finally wise enough to realize that the answer is “Hell yeah.” I don’t know what I would’ve filled my time without the service projects and meetings and fellowships. I can’t imagine not meeting the interesting (and weird) people and making friends with most some a few of them. But I just wanted to reiterate what Dinh, Peggy and Genie said. You can always reach out to someone in the group if you’re feeling like you don’t belong. Remember that you’re always connected to someone whether it is your big or little or pledge brother or sponsor, no matter how far away you go or old you get. Please do try and make the best out of your time in the frat because there’s a whole other world out there that’s full of work and stress and lack of time that all takes away from connecting with people, service and fun that the APHIO had to offer.

[Post by Alison Wong]