With school starting in just a few short weeks and sorority recruitment right around the corner, I felt it was necessary to write an article this week directed to all the girls who are making the brave decision to rush. Rush week will be exhausting, scary at first, and extremely overwhelming, but it will also be exciting and exhilarating. It might feel like a lot to get used to after the first day, but if you keep some things in mind throughout the process, then I promise you will soar through it.

1. First things first, follow the rules.

The rules are set for a reason. Your rho gamma will tell you all of them, but make sure you follow them. It would be such a waste to attend recruitment, but break the rules and end up not being able to finish the process. You're doing this to find your new home, so you can save gossip, attitudes, and discussing the houses for after recruitment. You will have plenty of time to talk about absolutely anything once you have been welcomed into your new sorority. But for the sake of the rush process, the girls want to get a sense of who you are and what you value, not who your boyfriend is or how many drinks you chugged the week before. Discussing inappropriate things will get you in trouble, so do not do it. You also only get a few minutes to make a lasting impression, so discussing other things really won't set that impression that you're going to be hoping to leave.

2. Keep an open mind throughout the process.

You may think you know exactly where you want to end up at the beginning of the process, and to be honest with you, it will probably change. You may start to realize that a different sorority's values fit a bit better with yours, or you may not get invited back to the house you wanted. And that is okay! It is nothing to be discouraged about, it just means that you weren't a great fit for it. Don't listen to what other girls rushing say about the houses, either. Everyone has their own opinions, and you shouldn't let anyone else's opinions effect where you end up. No sorority is a bad sorority. They are all just different and recruitment is just a big matching game trying to connect people who share similar values and support different causes.

3. Trust your rho gamma and don't be afraid to talk to them.

Your rho gamma went through training and is ready for all the questions you have. They want you to end up in a place that will ultimately be the best fit for you. Although you shouldn't talk about your opinions on certain houses to others, you can talk to your rho gamma about them. Let them know how you feel and listen to what they have to say. They were in your shoes before and give great advice. They can't (and won't) make your decisions in the voting process for you, but they can help you narrow down your options and get you thinking about who you feel like you've been getting good vibes from.

4. Don't be afraid of the process.

Sorority recruitment isn't made to put girls down or make them feel rejected. Rejection does happen, but that is life. It may seem scary the first day, but I promise it isn't scary. Don't think that behind closed doors that the sororities will judge you negatively or talk bad about you. They won't. They all rushed too. They know that you're nervous. They all want you to feel welcomed into their homes and want you to feel comfortable enough to share things about yourself. I've said this already, but they just want to get a vibe of who you are and what you stand for.

This brings me to my next topic...

5. Show them who you truly are.

Don't try to conform to other's values and actions. You are your own person and just because you may be different from someone else, it doesn't mean that there's not a place for you. And you don't want to end up in a sorority that you're not happy in just because you tried to conform to fit in. Speaking from someone on the other side, we really just want to see you for you. We want to see if we feel that we can connect with you and see where your ideals fall with those of our chapter's. Don't ever, throughout the process, or ever at all for that matter, be ashamed of you who are. Rushing for a sorority is a bold and brave move. It shows that you are willing to put yourself out there and that you are dedicated to finding a community that will accept you and take you in and love you.

6. Lastly, it is okay to not like it or to not get a bid.

If you go through this process and end up with no bid, do NOT feel discouraged. It does not mean that you are not good enough. It does not mean that you were disliked. And I would highly encourage you to rush again in the Spring or the following Fall semesters. There are so many people that are rushing, and there are only so many people that can be taken. When girls rush again their faces are recognized and remembered. And you shouldn't hold back from rushing again because you didn't get a bid the first time around. And if you go through rush and decide maybe a sorority isn't right for you, then that is also okay. Although I love my sorority and where I ended up, sororities aren't for everybody. Don't feel guilty for feeling like maybe none of the sororities are right for you and you may be better off joining another club. Like I said earlier, everyone is different.

So to those who are going to rush for a sorority, please keep these things in mind. It's going to be exhausting, but worth it once you end up with your new people. Stay true to who you are and what you value and keep an open mind in finding the right sorority who values the same things as you. Follow the rules that will be given to you and trust your rho gamma to be there for you and to guide you. Trust the process. Don't be afraid of it and don't ever be discouraged if things don't go according to plan. Take the time to enjoy the process, not stress over it. And finally, good luck.