It's that time of the year again! Sorority recruitment is just around the corner. I know a lot of you have already signed up (yay!), and although I'm sure you're very excited, you probably are a little nervous as well. Never fear: that's why I'm here! I went through formal recruitment this time last year. To be honest, it was a somewhat nerve-wracking and stressful experience, but ultimately an incredibly rewarding one. I'd do it all over again, if it meant finding my sisters and my home-away-from home! So, here are some tips for surviving recruitment weekend, and finding your perfect fit.
1. Be yourself.
As a writer, I usually loathe cliches, but this one is actually spot-on. The reason I chose Pi Phi was because I felt completely accepted there. I could truly be myself, without being judged. This is something all potential new members (PNMs) should look for in a sorority. Do I feel comfortable around these women? Do they seem to be interested in and support my interests and life goals? These are some questions to ask yourself when talking to the different chapters. If the answers to these questions are yes, then it looks like you've found a great match! But if the answer is no, or if you feel like you have to try too hard to fit in, then you should probably look elsewhere.
2. Rumors are everywhere, but try to keep an open mind.
There are a lot of rumors going around about all of the sororities, and needless to say, they aren't nice. But rumors are just that: rumors. For the most part, they aren't true at all. Several girls interested in Greek life have asked me, "Is there any sorority I should stay away from?" over the past few weeks. My answer is no, there are not. There are no "bad" sororities, there are only sororities that are either the right or wrong fit for you. I know at least one girl in each of the Panhellenic sororities, and they all are very happy.
3. Getting dropped sucks, but it's not the end of the world.
No one likes being told no, but the hard truth is at some point, a sorority is going to drop you. If you're lucky, the feeling will be mutual. But, if it was a sorority you really liked, you're going to be upset. That's perfectly normal. However, that doesn't mean that you're not good enough, or smart enough, or pretty enough; it just means that it wasn't the right group. Keep your chin up, and remember that there are other chapters who do want you. Rejection may seem like the end of the world, but you'll get through.
4. Don't base your decisions on where your friends are going.
Although it's possible that you and your best friend want to, and will, join the same sorority, it isn't entirely likely. Again, you should be choosing the sorority that is best for you. If you wind up choosing different sororities, or one of you decides not to pledge, your relationship will still survive and thrive.
5. The sisters are just as nervous as you are.
I'll let you in on a little secret: we want you to love us, just as much as you want us to love you. That's why we spend hours upon hours practicing this stuff before school even starts. We want you to be as excited about our sisterhood and philanthropy as we are, and that's a lot of pressure.
6. Your cheeks will hurt from smiling.
If you're a naturally happy, perky person, then this won't be hard for you! If not, then this might take some getting used to. The first night, especially, involves a lot of grinning and answering the same questions over and over again: What's your major? Where do you live? What kinds of activities are/were you involved in? This night can be tedious if you despise small-talk, but hang in there! In the next few days, the questions will be far less basic.
7. Do your homework beforehand.
Recruitment is kind of an all-day thing for four days straight. My advice is to do whatever reading/writing you need to do for your classes early on that week. It'll save you a lot of stress come Sunday night.
8. Wear comfortable shoes.
During recruitment, you're going to have to wear business-casual outfits. Most people would pair these outfits with high heels. And though I'm sure they're just as beautiful as Chris Pratt's, that isn't the best idea when you're going to be standing for several hours a day. Instead, go with a pair of cute flats; your feet will thank you.
9. No one will feed you.
You'd think if you were going to be at an event for a super-long time, that the people hosting said event would provide nourishment. Maybe yes, maybe no. Last year, sometimes we got pizza on break, and sometimes we didn't. In other words, don't count on food being handed out for free. Also, breaks are short, so there isn't a whole lot of time to run and get food somewhere else. Make sure you bring lots of snacks.
10. When in doubt, caff up!
In addition to food, you're going to need drinks: water, juice, milk, etc. Drinking is not only necessary for obvious health reasons, but also for keeping your throat lubricated. You're going to be doing a ton of talking over a few short days, so it's important that you keep your throat and voice healthy. Furthermore, these days are very long, so I would recommend bringing something caffeinated. Whether it be Coke, Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Red Bull, 5 Hour Energy or, of course, coffee, find something that keeps you alert and use it!
11. Do whatever makes you happy.
Remember that joining a sorority isn't just for four years; it's for a lifetime. So, if you don't feel a true connection with any of the chapters, it's okay to drop out. Just because you go through recruitment, doesn't mean you automatically have to join. When I went through recruitment, I was initially doing it just for research purposes. But when I found Pi Phi, my ideas changed. I could see myself growing with these women for the rest of my life; I was home. If and when you join a sorority, I hope you feel the same way about your sisterhood as I do about mine.
