Being on "Sister Side" of recruitment is a life changing experience. You meet so many new girls and any one of these girls cold be your new sister, new little, or even twin. One may be the President of your chapter. One may be the next addition to your family line. One may be your new best friend. But first you have to show them why your chapter is the best and why they might want to join your sisterhood. As it was my first time being on sister side, here are 5 things I learned during recruitment week.

1. Sleep is important

During recruitment week I was barely functioning by the end of it. Late nights of staying up with my sisters ranking and voting on PNM's (Potential New Members). Some nights we didn't go to bed till almost 3 in the morning and then we had to be up for class in the morning. When you start snapping at the sister who was offering you more caffeine, you know its a problem. Naps were life.

2. I missed our Pi Chi's

At our school, recruitment counselors are called Pi Chi's. These are sisters who have given up their letters in order for girls to find their homes with someone who in unbiased, guiding them. My Best friend was a Pi Chi and while I frequently saw her, we couldn't discuss anything about recruitment or our chapter while in public. I just wanted my sister back.

3. How much I love my sisters

I would not trade my sisters for the world. I wish we had more reasons to spend hours in our pajamas in our basement. They are some of the kindest, and loving people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. No we do not all look the same, or love the same things. But my sisters are the reasons I chose my house and I saw PNMs choose our house for the same reasons. Because they loved our sisterhood. Which made me re-appreciate the relationships I have.

4. Getting girls to fall in love with your house isn't easy

Some girls come into recruitment with an idea already in their head of where they should go. I should know, I was one of them. Maybe it's because of the philanthropy. Maybe they're a legacy. Maybe they just had the prettiest Instagram. Who knows? When some girls come into your house and it's the last on their list, it can be extremely difficult to change their mind. But not impossible. You have to make them cry, make them fall in love with your sisterhood and see how important it is to you. Because when they're torn between a house for its national reputation and the actual sisters of another house, it is very obvious which one they should choose.

5. In the end, all the hard work is worth it

At the end of the day, we get another chance to make our sorority better. We get new little's, new best friends, and above all new sisters. All the stress is worth it when they can run home and into your arms. Because as we love to say, it's not for four years. It's for life.