In almost every college movie or television show one thing always stands out: Greek Life. While most shows and movies’ depictions of Greek Life are not completely accurate, it still tends to give off the idea that you have to join a sorority or fraternity in order to be happy in college.

That is just not true, because when in Rome, you can find other things to do. Greek Life can be an amazing place to make lifelong friends and for some people, it is the perfect group. However, Greek Life may not be for you and that is okay too.

College is a lot of figuring out who you are and what you want to do with your life. In order to do that you have to try new experiences, meet new people, find the things that you like and the people you want to be around.

There are so many different organizations, clubs, departments, sports and religious groups on this campus for you to get involved in from your freshman to senior year.

You can find an accepting, close knit group of people in almost everything on campus, but the goal is to find the ones that are right for you.

For some people that could be finding a club that interests you on campus.

We have so many clubs on campus that range from volunteering to psychology.

You can make a political stance or sit and watch anime; there is something for everyone.

For some people, joining a sport is what is right for them.

There are obviously the varsity athletes who compete for the university, but there are also club sports and intramural sports that are open to everyone.

You could play typical sports like basketball and soccer, or try something new like quidditch.

A great way to get out there and involved if you are religious is to go to a church service. There are so many options on multiple days of the week. I know a lot of people who have made their closest friends at all of the religious options.

Whether it be Sunday morning church, Sunday night mass, weeknight small groups, or Thursday nights at The Well, people enjoy their time there.

Personally, I found my group of people in the Campus Activities Board and my own major.

In CAB I get to plan events for the whole campus to attend and it is something that I love to do and have loved my whole time at Ashland. Not only do I get to do something I love, but I get to do it with people who I have become so close to.

I have laughed and cried in front of my CAB friends.

They have seen me at both my best and my worst.

They are the kind of people who I know will always have my back, cheer me up, give me advice, and I would always do the same for them.

My major involves a lot of work outside of class.

We have a newspaper, a television station, a radio station and I am involved in all three. I get experience for my future career and I get to do the things I love with people who also work hard and love what they do.

Those people have become some of my closest friends in my time here and I even found my best friend and roommate through getting involved within my own major.

Getting involved is the best way to find what makes you happy in your time here in college, so try everything you can.

Try clubs that interest you, get involved in your major, try a class at the rec center, play an intramural sport, get a job, apply for CAB, rush a sorority or fraternity, but know that not everything is going to be something you really like and stick with.

Do the things you like to do. Find the group of people who help you grow.

That may be Greek Life or it may be something else and that is okay.