Everyone knows what it is like to hear your parents reminisce about their college days. If your parents are anything like mine, you know they actually had some wild nights and crazy stories from “back in the day.” After comparing notes about parties, music and style with my parents, I turned to my mom to hear about her sorority days. Here are 4 differences and 4 similarities between sorority girls of the 80’s and us today.
Differences:
Music:
While getting ready to go out sorority girls of the 80’s blasted Madonna, The Go-Go’s, Bon Jovi, U2 and Tina Turner. Unlike our pregame songs today, the 80’s pregame songs were upbeat and you were able to sing a long to them. Wouldn’t it be nice to actually sing the words to a song instead of thrusting your head to the beat of some house music?
Class:
While trying to find an available computer may have been a burden, sorority girls of the 80’s definitely were on top of their education game No cell phones. No laptops. No Instagram. No Snapchat. As my mom says, “we actually had to pay attention.” Yeah, they couldn’t lay in their bed and comfortably type a paper, but at least they didn’t have any distractions.
Communication:
Today, you can be laying in bed texting from your computer to your friend across the hall just as easily as a friend who is 4,000 miles away studying abroad. Back in the 80’s all sorority girls shared a single phone. You couldn’t text and you definitely could not Facebook stalk the cute guy you met in class. If plans changed you would actually need to pick up a phone or leave a note. Yes, a note. If you couldn’t get in touch with someone you were able to leave a note on his or her sorority or fraternity’s designated table in the student union…how ancient!
Going Out:
Did cops even exist in the 1980’s?! I’m lucky enough to be 21, yet I still get questioned every time I show my ID. Getting into bars was never an issue for the sorority girls of the 80’s. The hookup culture was also different back then. It wasn’t cool to be that blacked out belligerent girl dancing on bar tables kissing every guy in sight. “Friday nights were for your girlfriends, and Saturday nights were for your boyfriend”-my lovely mother. Today, Friday night means one thing…happy hour!
Similarities:
Clothes:
80’s clothing has made a comeback and coming from the girl who actually thinks her mom is trendy, I could not be happier. Going out clothes include(d); Skinny jeans, crop tops, patterned or leather leggings, and oversized sweaters. Going to class consisted, and still does, of throwing on a pair of leggings and your comfy sorority sweatshirt. My mom and I both agree that putting on jeans for class is for special occasions.
Date Events:
Whether it's the themed mixer or the spring formal, every sorority girl loves her date events. Some popular themes include; barn/western, dynamic duo, throw down for your hometown. Any excuse to dress up or get a new little black dress will always be exciting for us sorority girls. To any girls who have a mom who was in a sorority: mention that you have a party or date event. Not only will your mom have amazing ideas, but also she will LOVE to help pick out (& purchase) you a new dress.
TV:
While our TV shows may have changed, watching TV has always been a good way to bond with your sisters. Some of my mom’s best memories of being in a sorority are sitting around with all her friends watching the latest episode of Cheers or Full House. While the parties and late nights always leave you with good stories the next morning, one of my favorite memories is Monday night Bachelor with all my friends.
Best Part of Being in a Sorority:
Without a doubt, both my mom and I had the same response to this one. The best part of being in a sorority in the 80’s has not changed today. There are always people to go to. Whether it’s someone to go out with, go to the gym with or run errands with, being in a sorority means always having something to do and someone to hang out with. These are the girls that will be your best friends for life and will be included in some of your best memories of your college days.
Before you all go jumping to conclusions, your parents are cool so embrace it. They may not always get it, but you’re not so different after all. Take the time to talk with them. You may even learn a thing or two! Cherish your sorority days because you will remember them forever.
