Going through recruitment as a potential new member (PNM) can be stressful. Trust me, we've all been there. But for those of you who haven't been there, you're about to embark on a week-long journey that'll eventually lead you to the group of women who will become some of your best friends throughout college. So for all you PNMs out there, here's your quick "how to" on surviving recruitment.
1. Over-pack.
Especially during spring recruitment (which actually happens in the winter), you want to bring as many layers as you can. As you're waiting outside to go into each party, it's going to get chilly. Pack extra sweaters, socks, a couple of jackets, scarves, earmuffs, hand warmers, a blanket, a robe, anything that will keep you warm. Even with this considerably warm winter we're having, once the sun goes down, you will get cold. So please, do yourself a favor, and over-pack!
2. Be open-minded.
You've had a semester or more of hearing things around campus about certain chapters. Maybe they're true, maybe they're not. Regardless, keep an open mind when going into each party. You'll likely know women in multiple chapters, or you may even be a legacy, but be open-minded. You'll never know which chapter you'll fall in love with -- don't let anyone or anything aside from yourself make that judgement.
3. Be yourself.
C'mon. As girls, we know when other girls are being fake. It's not too hard to pick up on. So, please don't pretend to be someone you're not. You're looking for a sisterhood that you fit into -- not your friends, not your sister, not your mom. You. So be yourself, and you'll find the perfect chapter women to one day call your sisters. Pretty self-explanatory, right? Right.
4. If you're unsure, ask.
Throughout recruitment, you have so many resources available to you whenever you're not sure about something. You have your Rho Gammas and you have hundreds of sisters you'll talk to all week that you can reach out to. When you're confused between houses, talk to your Rho Gammas -- that's what they're there for. But when you're in a party, I encourage you to ask chapter women as many questions as you possibly can, too. Ask them what made their chapter stand out to them when they went through recruitment. Ask them what their favorite part about their sisterhood is. Ask them questions that will help you figure out if you can see yourself as a member of that chapter. You'll never know until you ask, so make sure you ask.
5. Want to be there.
If your party list includes houses you're not too excited about, build yourself a bridge and get over it. You won't always be happy with your entire party list. That happens. But always, I repeat, always show the chapters that you want to be there, whether you do or not. Your first impression of yourself to these chapter women will dictate how the rest of the party goes. Tell yourself before entering each house that you're excited to talk to these chapter women. Tell yourself before entering each house that you can't wait to get to meet these women who could potentially be your sisters in just a few days. Tell yourself before entering each house that you want to be there. It's a privilege to go through recruitment, so you should want to be there.
6. Do this for yourself.
This goes back to the "be yourself" tip. Make sure you're going through recruitment because you truly want to. Joining a sorority is a big commitment -- physically, emotionally, and financially. You get out of being in a sorority what you put into it. So, while going through recruitment, constantly ask yourself if this is what you want. Not what your friends want, not what your family wants. What do you want? Is this something you'll love for the rest of not just your college career but the rest of your life? As long as you know, that's all that matters. Do this for yourself and no one else.
Best of luck to all you PNMs - see you all on bid day!
