Hello again, ladies! I hope your summer is going swimmingly. I hope you got the best dorm (the one closest to the dining hall), the best roommate (someone who loves Netflix marathons as much as you do), and the best class schedule (no 8 a.m. classes).

However, there may be something missing. As a sorority woman, one of my hopes is that you will consider recruitment in the fall and add a chapter to your life. I know college can be overwhelming at first, but a great way to meet friends and get involved is to join a sorority.

I previously have written about some very essential recruitment advice, mostly dealing with conversation and making choices. Something else I want to discuss is how to make your life during recruitment a lot easier.

Fall recruitment can be hot, sweaty, and tiring. Scratch that. It is. It always is. At USI, nobody has to wait outside to enter parties, but you still have to trek across campus in the September heat for some parties. Believe me, as a PNM, I came inside for every party and was wondering what kind of fuzz ball had formed on my head from the humidity.

It’s also important to keep yourself healthy during recruitment. Don’t worry, your recruitment counselors will make sure you are taken care of and won't let you wither like a flower. However, it’s still important to take steps to be sure you’re the healthiest you that you can be during what can be a very tiring week.

So, let me begin with what you definitely should bring to recruitment:

• Travel perfume/deodorant. As I said earlier, it can be very hot during recruitment. You’re on your feet for 30 minutes to an hour at a time, walking around campus, and did I mention it’s still technically summer?! During your breaks, head to the bathroom and relieve any fears you may have about being smelly. Obviously, don’t put on too much perfume in case anybody around you has allergies, but a little spritz won’t hurt.
• Water bottle. Your recruitment counselors will be sure you’re hydrated, but it doesn’t hurt to keep a water bottle in your purse so you can avoid waiting in line for a water fountain and have maximum time during breaks to talk to your recruitment counselor, or to jot down notes about the party you just left. Plus, drinking water makes your skin pretty. Win-win.
• Light jacket. I probably just contradicted myself by complaining about how hot it is and then telling you to bring a jacket. However, colleges love to crank the AC this time of year. It won’t hurt to have a light jacket for when you’re on an extended break, regretting wearing a sleeveless blouse, or if you’re just someone who gets cold easily.
• A pen and small notebook. As I stated earlier, you may want to jot down notes about what you liked and disliked after each party. You may also want to list who you talked to, as well as each chapter’s philanthropies, campus events, colors, symbols, etc. Write down anything you can remember that you believe will help you tell the chapters apart and make better choices later on. Some campus Panhellenics provide little books that serve the same purpose, but it’s still a good idea to pack the pen and notebook in case you need more room to write.

Now I’m going to list a few things you should not bring to recruitment. The main reason you should not bring these is to reduce stress and help you have a better mindset throughout the whole process.

• Your phone. Please don’t give me that face. I understand, your phone is probably practically your child. However, hear me out. It’s okay to have your phone in your purse, but leave it off. This is for plenty of reasons. One, using it may just stress you out more. Your mom or best friend from home may be texting you, freaking out about your choice, whether it’s good or bad. They may even be trying to sway you one way or another. You don’t need this kind of stress. Two, you also do not need to be spending time on social media, potentially reading what other PNMs are writing about their experiences. Recruitment is about you and what you want, not anybody else. Stop the pressure by not letting it in the first place.
• Brand new shoes. If you’re planning on buying shoes for recruitment, do it now and break them in; this goes even for casual shoes like Keds, Converse, Sperry’s, and flats. Have you ever worn new flats for an entire day without breaking them in? Um, ow. Keep your shoes clean and pretty, but wear them out a fair number of times so you’re not in agony. It can be hard to think about whether you like ABC or XYZ more when your foot feels like it’s about to fall off.
• Gum. Mints are okay, gum is not. Would you chew, smack, and blow bubbles with your gum during a job interview? No, you would not. Don’t do the same during recruitment. Not only is it rude, it impedes your speech. Plus, nobody wants to have that embarassing moment where you’re in the middle of a sentence and your gum jumps out of your mouth. Save the gum for later. If you’re worried about fresh breath, chew mints before the party.
• A bad attitude. This is recruitment. You’re here to meet your new sisters and find your home. How exciting is that?! Seriously! Smile and have a good time. Don’t stress. Don’t let anybody get you down. This is about starting a new chapter in your life and adding something exciting to your life. Leave the bad attitude and negativity at home, whether it’s yours or somebody else’s.