Too old?

Triumph · #1 01-26-2005, 04:22 PM

Greetings to the ladies of Sigma Gamma Rho (and friends)!

I'm an older college student and unlike most, my life has gone in reverse order than most of my fellow classmates. I had a long successful career in the military, then left the service to start a family. I'm now a full-time college student and I've been exposed to many dynamic women of all races, but particularly African American.

I have an interest in pursuing membership in a sorority and since African American greek orgs continue their service long after college (undergrad), there's such a diveristy in membership.

As an undergraduate though, I'm thinking I'm too old to pursue membership. I have many assets to bring to an organization, my grades and service are also great, but....I feel like a granny compared to everyone else!

Is is best to wait or go for it? (I'm in my early 30s by the way)! Has anyone ever known "seasoned" undergrads?
Thanks for all responses!

ladygreek · #2 01-26-2005, 04:38 PM

At first I thought you were going to say you were 50--early 30s is not old.

I don't know about SGRho but Delta has some collegiate chapters that are basically centered at commuter schools. The students on a whole tend to be older and those chapters tend to have members over 30--many married and with children.

Triumph · #3 01-26-2005, 04:45 PM

Thanks Ladygreek!
During group projects, most of my fellow students give me the deer-in-the-headlights look when I tell them how old I am! Your reponse was comforting! I've done a lot of thinking and I am willing to make the commitment and balance the scales when it comes to family and service (and everything else). Some of the women I look up to are mothers, wives, students, business owners, and the like. When I see them, it makes me work harder and desire to come up a little higher.

bluethunder · #4 01-26-2005, 05:52 PM

while your situation is not an everyday thing, it is FAR from unheard of...when i first relocated to south florida and got acquainted with the undergrads, before i became the chapter advisor, i nearly fell off my seat when one of the newly inducted members told me she was 32! would have never guessed it! i think if it is in your heart and it is something that you are really motivated to do, then you should by all means GO FOR IT!

1browngirl · #5 01-26-2005, 06:53 PM

Trimuph, I have to agree with my soRHOr. If you are motivated to join and you will bring positive qualities to an organization I believe that you should go for it. After all, age ain't nothing but a number!

BTW: I thought you were going to say you were 50 or older as well. As someone who is in their early 30's, you are not old!!!!

NinjaPoodle · #6 01-26-2005, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 1browngirl
BTW: I thought you were going to say you were 50 or older as well. As someone who is in their early 30's, you are not old!!!!

Ditto

Sistermadly · #7 01-26-2005, 11:24 PM

I hope the women of Sigma don't mind my jumping in... but a good friend of mine joined another NPHC sorority as an undergraduate when she was 36 years old. So good luck to you!

ladygreek · #8 01-27-2005, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Triumph
Thanks Ladygreek!
During group projects, most of my fellow students give me the deer-in-the-headlights look when I tell them how old I am! Your reponse was comforting! I've done a lot of thinking and I am willing to make the commitment and balance the scales when it comes to family and service (and everything else). Some of the women I look up to are mothers, wives, students, business owners, and the like. When I see them, it makes me work harder and desire to come up a little higher.

Good luck to you. If my sistergreeks choose you, you will find it was well worth the sacrifice.

Triumph · #9 01-27-2005, 09:41 AM

Thanks again for all of your responses. Age is really just a number! If I'm granted the privilege to serve, I believe I will approach being committed to serving more seriously. I'm glad I was exposed to greek life later on, because it truly is so much more than I could have imagined.

It's funny-last night in class, a lady sat next to me and asked me how old I was, when I told her my age, she laughed and said I looked like a kid and how she wanted to go back to her 30s. She was a mom with a 20-year old and an 18-year old--and this was her first time in college!

Thanks for encouraging me..I'm gonna go for it!

1browngirl · #10 01-27-2005, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Triumph

Thanks for encouraging me..I'm gonna go for it!

Good Luck in your pursuit Triumph!!

TRSimon · #11 01-27-2005, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Triumph
Thanks for encouraging me..I'm gonna go for it!

Best wishes with your quest!!

MIDWESTDIVA · #12 01-27-2005, 05:03 PM

I am a "seasoned" undergrad. I was inducted at age 29.
Good luck to you in your pursuit!

Triumph · #13 01-27-2005, 06:00 PM

I appreciate all of your encouragement...

WOW!! MIDWESTDIVA--I'm really motivated now! I'm sure you were able to bring a lot to the table in terms of experience, maturity and commitment. I think the biggest mistake I can make is to not try at all--"ole lady" or not