Colleges are different in many ways such as location, size, programs of study, and extracurricular activities offered. Yet emphasis on having the best college experience possible is placed on all campus’. The stereotypical experience is generally thought of including football games, excessive amounts of caffeine, loss of sleep, ramen noodles, and making memories that will last a lifetime. Yet college experiences between students involved in fraternities and sororities and students not involved, are drastically different regardless of which school they attend.
Social life is a significant part of college, being away from home and friends means starting over and creating new relationships that can potentially last a lifetime. Part of the allure
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A perk of being in a sorority or fraternity is the amount of parties and events that are scheduled each semester, not having to go a weekend without plans. Unfortunately, there are serious dangers associated with the amount of fun Greek life promotes. Binge drinking (three times the amount of a non-Greek student), substance abuse, tobacco use (two and half times the amount of a non-Greek student), and the use of all substances are highest among Greek students living in Greek housing according to Storch and Storch (242). The need to be socially accepted by their peers and the environment of a sorority/fraternity is the explanation for this high risk behavior (Scott-Sheldon et al. 61). Non-Greek students do not have the pressure of following a group’s risky behavior in order to keep their friends. Non-Greek students do not bond over excessive consumption of alcohol as Greek students do (Scott-Sheldon et al. 61). Plenty of activities are available to non-Greek students including sports events, concerts, night clubs, and performances which all add to the college experience without negative