It's that time of year again. Girls everywhere are going shopping for the perfect dresses, putting together their cutest outfits, and anxiously awaiting their return to campus for the spring semester. When they arrive, they will navigate their way through a series of events that is both nerve-wracking and exciting and both stressful and rewarding: sorority formal recruitment.

This one goes out to all those girls waiting in anticipation to see how things will go. You may be feeling a huge mix of emotions, but that is completely normal. Girls in sororities seem to build it up so much, constantly talking about how much they love their sisters and all the ways in which receiving their bid has changed their lives. It can easily feel like these few days will make or break the rest of your college career. Recruitment is certainly a bit intimidating, with so many rules and schedules packed to the minute with activities. But keep in mind that every girl you will meet has been through the same busy week as you and knows exactly how you're feeling. They want to feel welcomed and comfortable, and to get to know you on a personal level just as you do with them. The point of recruitment is to find the place where you fit in and can feel at ease amongst all the madness.

The best advice I can give to you is to simply be yourself. Talk about your hobbies, your interests, causes you care about, and all the other things that make you uniquely you. Sororities seem to get a bad rap for being "fake", and nothing more than all glitter and smiles. But behind the upbeat songs and bright decorations are real girls just like you who want to make genuine connections. Don't be afraid to share your feelings by expressing what you hope to get out of this experience or any fears you may have. You will quickly realize this when you have conversations with members and realize they shared many of your feelings during their own rush process. Ultimately everyone is looking for the same things; friendship, support, and sisterhood.

So what happens if you give it your all and end up falling short? Perhaps you get dropped by the one chapter you were pining for, or end up with fewer invitations back than you had anticipated. I urge you to not get too discouraged. Look at it this way, would you want to be a part of something but feel like you are not totally welcomed there? Like you are surrounded by people who only like you by obligation? Of course not. So while it is perfectly acceptable to feel disappointed if things do not go exactly how you would like, remember that a group who does not fully accept you is simply not a group you are meant to be in. When you do receive a bid from a sorority, it means all of the current members have agreed that you are a girl who would be a great asset to their chapter. More so, it means they have all decided that you are a girl they would like to have in their lives. Ultimately, the decision to accept or not is up to you. But I believe it is always worth it to give things a chance even when they divert from the plan you had in your head.

Once all the parties are over and the decision making has commenced, you will have found your place. For many, that will include an invitation to join one of the chapters on campus. For some, it will be the end of your experience with Greek Life. Your week will not conclude with a bid, but rather with you remaining unaffiliated. And that's okay too! Though a sorority is ideal for many, it is by no means the only way to get involved and seek out friends and fulfillment. Your college experience is filled with countless opportunities, and maybe not pledging to a chapter is simply a lead-in to you finding your niche elsewhere. If you still aspire to join, there is always next year. The skills you have gained through a week of recruitment-making small talk, successfully presenting yourself, and more will only serve to help you in the future with whatever you choose to do next.

By the end of this week, each of you will have had an experience that is completely unique. Though you will end up in all different places, you will have one thing in common. You will have learned an incredible amount about yourself and all that you are capable of. Whether you have known your whole life that you wanted to join a sorority or decided last minute after suggestions from your friends or family, know that it takes an insane amount of courage just to put yourself out there and give this new experience a try. And for that, I'm proud of you! I want you to remember that, even during those moments of recruitment that aren't so great. Simply having the ambition to seek out this opportunity and the perseverance to make it through all the up's and down's is an accomplishment in itself.

So for all girls gearing up to enter the crazy world of formal recruitment this semester, remember these things. Smile, put your best foot forward and try not to stress yourself out too much. It sounds so cliche to advise you to "trust the system", but by going with the flow you will without a doubt end up where you are supposed to be. Keep a positive attitude, and everything will work out. Promise!