Recruitment can be a really fun and stressful time. Having gone through recruitment last year I feel like I have a decent understanding of how system works, so here is some helpful tips of advice I have for the first year students going through recruitment this week!
1. Be yourself
This one is the most important. Just be yourself, do not try to act like a person that you are not to try to "fit in" with a certain house you really like. It won't end up well for you or anyone else.
2. Trust the system
You'll hear this a million times during recruitment, and you will start to really hate the phrase by mid-week, but trust me, its true! If the house you thought was the perfect match for you didn't invite you back the next day sure it might sting a little, but give the other houses a chance! You might end up loving and fitting into a house you never even considered prior to recruitment!
3. Don't compare your recruitment experience to your friends'
Everyone one's experience is different. If you only go back to 4 houses on the second day and your friends go back to 6, it's ok! Don't stress too much about it. In the long run, it makes decisions a lot easier for you anyway.
4. Remember that the girls you are talking to are just as nervous as you are
Sure the girls in the houses seem like they have it all put together and know what they are doing, but trust me when I say they are probably just a nervous as you are. They have to be on their A-game just as much as you do and it can be very stressful and exhausting. Take a deep breath and be yourself and engage in the conversation, it makes it easier on everyone!
5. Dress in what you are comfortable in
Now I'm not saying show up in sweats and an oversized tee shirt, but dress to your comfort level. You don't have to dress like every sorority girl you have ever seen in a magazine to guarantee yourself a bid. If you aren't comfortable wearing designer everything with your duck boots and Kate Spade necklace, then don't!
As long as you look put together and presentable, what you wear really doesn't matter. Wear what you would wear to go out to dinner with friends. You also definitely don't need to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe for this, but if that's what makes you comfortable then do it! It's all about what you what to do and makes you feel comfortable!
6. Have fun!
Maybe the most important tip I have is to make sure you have fun! Sure talking to people all day and walking from house to house may not seem like an ideal day for you, but if you want to make it fun you can!
Put yourself in the mindset that it will be fun and not that it is a pain and you will be pleasantly surprised in how your days turn out. And at the end of the long day make sure you find a fun and relaxing way to unwind, whether that be grabbing ice cream with your friends or watching a movie in your dorm. Your friends and nights in the dorm will be what gets you through this crazy week.
While recruitment week is exhausting and can be stressful you also are making so memories that will last for a lifetime. It will all be worth it when you get to run home to your new found sisters on bid day!
Good Luck First year Bulldogs, you're going to kill it!
