With fall sorority recruitment just around the corner, I can’t help but to think back on my time as a Pi Chi last year and all the great things that came from it. The experience is truly like no other; you will be challenged and tested. But in the end, you will walk away with one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.
I hope the new Pi Chis are excited and maybe even a little nervous. You have been preparing for this for months and probably feel like you know just about every possible situation that could occur and all the possibilities of how to handle it. Don’t be alarmed when you get thrown a curve ball. Here is some of the best advice I wish I had known before I began my journey of being a Pi Chi:
Be a good listener. The girls in your group are depending on you to guide them through this process. Sometimes they just need someone to listen to them. They may be upset, excited, conflicted, confused, or any other possible emotion a sleep deprived, exhausted college girl might be. However, they just need someone to talk to. Be that person for these girls.
Don’t get upset when the girl you thought would be the best for your sorority ends up somewhere else. This may happen, and if it does, you have to trust that she was meant to be elsewhere. Remember, just like you would tell your potential new members (PNMs), trust the process!
You truly can never be too prepared. Have a Ziploc bag inside of your big bag with just about anything you could possibly think of a girl may need in a day. I highly recommend keeping safety pins, deodorant, hairbrush, mints, tissues, coffee filters, etc. in your bag. Having these readily available will make your life and your PNMs' lives so much better when something goes wrong. You are able to fix it before they can ever become stressed.
SNACKS SNACKS AND MORE SNACKS! The last thing you need is a PNM (or yourself) passing out from being hungry, dehydrated, or hot during recruitment! I personally kept a bag of granola bars, gummy snacks, and rice crispy treats in my bag just in case someone needed a little pick me up!
Giving your PNMs their lists of sororities back will be stressful. In an ideal world, every one of your PNMs will get asked back to every sorority they hoped for. Unfortunately, this is not that world. Be aware of what girls you think may be upset about their list and be ready to comfort them. Because let’s be honest, with how sleep deprived they are, they will need it.
Be ready for lots and lots of tears. It is inevitable that someone in your group will get upset during this process. Have a plan of action with your partner as to how to handle this situation. This is why there are two of you.
Don’t forget your resources! If you need help, there are people standing by ready to help. If you don’t know the answer to a PNM's question, don’t be afraid to reach out to someone who can help her!
Form a bond with your Pi Chi group from the beginning. For most of these girls, you are a part of their first experience with their university; try your best to make sure it’s a good one!
Be energetic! If your PNMs see that you are excited, they will be too. They may act like they hate the silly chants and cheers you do, but at the end of the day, they probably like them. If you can get them to be a little less nervous by running around and cheering like a fool, then it's worth it. Your attitude will rub off on them, so try to have a positive and fun one!
Treasure this experience. Like I have said before, it is like no other. Create friendships with other Pi Chis and the PNMs. Who knows, maybe you will meet your future best friend or even your future little from being a Pi Chi. I did! This experience will change you and make you a better person than you were before.
