A lot of schools do recruitment fall semester. If you’re at a school that delays it until spring, you might be bummed because you always knew you wanted to rush or all your friends from home are having the time of their lives pledging. Waiting seems unfair. But I’m here to let you in on a secret: Spring recruitment is actually way better than fall recruitment.

Here's why:

1. You get to figure out what it’s like to be at college without simultaneously figuring out what it’s like to be a member of Greek Life.

2. You have a chance to become an individual.

3. You make friends who aren't only in your sorority #PanhelLove.

4. You can make a more informed decision about which house you want to join.

You learn the true and untrue aspects of each house’s reputation and can meet sorority women outside of the (somewhat artificial) environment of rush.

5. You get a practice round for real recruitment.

Novemberfest, aka informal recruitment, doesn't matter much, so you're more prepared when you go into the real deal higher-stakes arena of formal recruitment.

6. You can pick if you even want to be in a sorority at all.

You might find yourself content being unaffiliated. Greek Life doesn't become a crutch to make friends or gain a community, so it becomes another thing to be involved in with a special meaning.