Now that I am a little settled into Wake Forest, I realize that I am still the same person that I was. I still like the same things. I still hang out with the same kind of people. I am no different than I was in high school, really. And that's okay, I have found. It worked for me then, and it should work for me now. (Especially now that I am in a more mature, intellectual setting - ha)

Don't get me wrong. I love Wake Forest. I love the classes (most of them). I love my professors (most of them). I like the atmosphere. I like the people. I just don't really like the vibe that this school, and colleges in general, put out to young women. I like that Wake Forest says a lot of positive things to women in general. It says, "Be intelligent." It says, "Work hard." It says, "Dream." It says, "You can succeed." But, only in some ways does it say, "Be your own person." There are a lot of activities and classes here that promote independent thinking.

I believe I heard while at The F- Word Seminar with Michaelle Browers, an assistant professor of politics, that 60 percent of the female population at this university belongs to a sorority. As much as I would like to express my opinion on this topic, I will refrain. I would like to comment on some issues brought up by this seminar, though.

A professor who attended this as well raised a question about feminism and sororities working hand-in-hand. I believe her exact question was, "How are you in a sorority and call yourself a feminist as well?" That really interests me, because I have encountered that question as well on my own time.

Based upon my definition of feminism, I do think that some things contradict each other. I will not say that I do not believe the two could or could not co-exist though. (I will admit I found it interesting that a sorority sponsored this event.) I am not going to bash any particular sorority, or any for that matter. I am not even going to say what I have heard about them. I will say, though, that I do consider myself to have feminist beliefs.

I believe that women and men should be equal. I do believe that women have come a long way when looking back at the past. I do think we are still looked upon as the weaker sex. I feel women are not always treated fairly.

Now, please don't think of me as some, femi-nazi, man-hating lesbian. I'm not, but so what if I was? I could still have these views. The thing that interests me most, though, is the fact that I have found that it isn't men that are necessarily the ones that make women feel inferior. A lot of times it is other women.

We as women have many guidelines for ourselves. Blame it on the media. Blame it on men. Blame it on how we were raised. Blame it on your friends. Blame it on whoever you wish. Mostly, however, if you are going to blame anyone, blame yourself. None of us have to succumb ourselves to such abuse if you ask me. No one makes you believe such lies. Women (just as much as men) concentrate on physical aspects. Women are just as shallow as men. (Maybe even more in a lot of cases, especially when it comes to judging other women.) I am just as guilty of it. At least, though, I can admit it and learn from it.

I'm not here saying that sororities go against every positive thing about being a woman. I just want to make you think. I want you to maybe see it my way just for a second. Sure, sisterhoods and life-long friends sound charming, (especially when you are a freshman and don't know too many people), but when it all comes down to it, is that what you are really getting? I would hope so if that is what you decide to do. I would hope you are getting all that you bargained for and that your likes outweigh your dislikes.

Just make sure you know what you are getting yourself into. Do some research. Make sure you read the fine print, if you will. I don't know about you, but I want to be a respectable woman. Not just an object. Make sure what you participate in allows you to be who and what you want to be. That's all I am saying.