For those of you who don’t know what formal recruitment is, recruitment is a process in which university undergraduate women join a sorority. It is a procedure that includes a number of themed rounds in which different events are included. There are three nights at Westminster College, nestled in the hills of western Pa., and these are some of the thoughts that were going through my head that week.

Night One

Will they like me?

Will I look nice enough?

Okay, calm down you look fine.

Wait, how many people am I going have to talk to?

Will I not freak out tonight?

Wait, I’ll be fine I can do this.

All I have to do is talk about myself; I’ll be fine.

Okay yeah, I’m fine.

I’m not as much of a mess as I thought I would be.

I’m more calm now that I’m almost done with the night.

That wasn’t so bad.

Night Two

Okay, I just have to talk just a little bit longer today I’ll be fine.

But what if I look weird?

Why did I let Hanna do my eyebrow five minutes before the parties started?

Now my face hurts.

Stop thinking about your face and worry about talking.

Wow, okay. This isn’t bad I’m okay.

I can get through the night.

That wasn’t bad at all. I’m fine.

I’m excited for tomorrow but also really nervous.

Night Three

Okay tonight is the night you make your decision.

You’ll be okay no matter what happens.

Wait, do I look okay?

What if this dress looks weird?

What if they think I’m weird?

Wait, I’m fine. I look too girly, but I’m fine.

I can get through this night.

Okay, calm down. You're just emotional; don’t freak out.

Too late. I'm already freaking out.

Okay, calm down. You’ll be fine.

Just breathe.

Okay, talk about something to calm you down.

Okay, good. You’re fine now.

Just relax. You will get through the night, and tomorrow will be exciting.

Well, relaxing didn’t work.

What if they don’t want me?

What if I said something stupid?

Okay, wait. Stop. Just try to breathe.

Go hang out with friends; you’ll be okay.

Okay I can do this tomorrow everything will be fine.

That week was one of the most stressful weeks of my life but I’m so happy to be a part of a sorority and so happy that I found my forever home! Also the friendships that will last a lifetime.