Greek life is something that often gets spoken about and portrayed on the big screens. Often people associate Greek life with alcohol, extreme hazing, and more generally speaking American colleges. These stereotypes do hold some truths, but also hold a lot of fallacies. 

For example, it is illegal to haze within Greek Life organizations. It can still happen, but organizations can get hefty fines for doing it, and from my personal experience of being in a sorority, we absolutely do not condone it at any point! We try to be as friendly and welcoming to new individuals joining and we do not make anyone have to get numbers from boys etc. So, sad to say if someone were looking for a Sydney White experience, it will not be happening here. 

As for some truths to the stereotypes, yes parties do happen and yes there are girls in tennis girls screaming “Slay!” or “Yas,” which can catch anyone off guard if they see themselves as more of a “bruh” girl or don’t identify heavily with being more ‘girly.’ 

Every year the sorority I am a part of hosts a convention for sisters from all over the country to meet up and go through various workshops. It is also paired with tons of outings and a big formal event at the end of the weekend. During 2022 we all visited Toronto, so if anyone ever hits the biggest city in Canada for a sorority convention, here is the survival guide everyone needs!

This may not be the first thought that comes to mind about surviving a sorority convention, but it can get loud. Sisters are talking and laughing, but most importantly they are constantly throwing their arm in the air and snapping their wrist back in a finger snap to excitedly say the word “Slay!” some of the sisters will say slay as their lives depend on it. 

The earplugs will also be essential for when the sorority chants and songs come on. Not only are they super repetitive and involve clapping, but some actually use a colorful vocabulary. We are talking major profanity. Profanity in itself is not terrible, but when everyone is excitedly yelling it, maybe the earplugs will be of good use.

When it was mentioned earlier that there are tons of activities planned outside of the workshop there are plenty. We had the option of going to an arcade, a Blue Jays game, and a few other activities. Other than that the city offers so many awesome things to do. For example, there is the Kensington Market which is city blocks of small little shops with a variety of thrift finds!

Not to mention there are so many shops and cafes you can visit, and sometimes the easiest way to get around to nearby locations is to walk as transit can take a while or it can be quite costly! When we were in Toronto we walked a lot and I had sores all over my feet after, because my forgetful brain forgot my shoes except for a pair of oversized sandals, so I had to pick up a pair of brand new shoes from Walmart. Much like hiking shoes, I highly recommend breaking in your walking shoes before walking all over a concrete city.

This may seem silly and the first thought of a sorority girl changing outfits is likely so she can get different photos for her Instagram and liven up her feed. This is not entirely wrong, but in the New York of Canada, I promise that the humidity is so bad that an outfit change may be necessary some days. Staying in the big city in early August meant sticky hot weather!

I wish I had brought any spare clothing in a little backpack with me or even some dry shampoo because the sweating life is beyond real!

Shocking, I know. Coming to a big city and the thought might cross someone’s mind and it might not. Unfortunately for me, it did not entirely come to mind and I was stuck wondering if I would have enough money to continue getting around, or if I would be stuck. 

Please note, being from a small town or small city that does not have Uber, Uber can be pricey, this is why I emphasize bringing money even if the thought is to save as much money as possible, sometimes after those long walks, transit is not the answer no longer.

All photos and videos are from the author personally. All graphics are designed by the author on various designing apps.