What We Do For Dues
Deciding to rush was not an easy decision for me. This was not because I did not want the experience, but because I did not know if it was worth the cost. One of my fears was that I thought I would be alone in any given chapter in paying dues myself. However, if I could go back and tell myself a year ago today how much Chi Omega would mean to me, I would have been so much more excited and carefree about the cost. The truth with paying your own dues is: it is hard sometimes, and it's not easy seeing the balance come out of your own bank account. But, I would not trade it for the world. Paying for my own dues has not been a burden, it has been a learning experience and worth absolutely every penny.
Without paying for my dues, I never would have learned how to pay a bill, balance my checkbook, or even work the banking app on my phone. Likewise, I never would have gotten a summer job, or even thought twice about taxes. These important life skills are something we all have to learn eventually, and I am very grateful to be learning them now.
Not only do you learn so much from paying your own dues, but I did not realize until writing this post how great the community of women are who do the same. At Chi Omega and across the row, there are so many women who pay their own dues joyfully and they are always willing to give advice. We use money from working at restaurants, boutiques, paid internships, left-over scholarship money, babysitting, and SO MUCH MORE! Working is not always the most fun activity on a Saturday morning, but it teaches you a myriad of lessons, and is always something good to have on your resume. Paying my own dues has taught me to value every meal, work diligently during study sessions in the dining room, and cherish each and every friendship at Chi Omega.
Overall, the life lessons and work experience are great, but what encourages me to continue is the sisterhood. Chi Omega has been my rock throughout my first year in college, and I would work at the craziest of places to be a part of something so special. This sisterhood is priceless, and paying my own dues only makes me appreciate it that much more!
