Man oh man, hearing that first thing day one of rush, I was shocked, overwhelmed and almost started laughing because it was just so ridiculous. However, I was going to have a good attitude about all this. Not only because that’s what my mom told me to do, and she’s mostly to blame for getting me into this whole process, but also because I was intrigued.

Maybe I could like being in a sorority.

So in Chacos and braids I embarked on the strange and emotional journey that is Panhellenic recruitment, and it turns out I actually fell in love with the first house I encountered: the wine and silver blue, the ring and the ching, Pi Beta Phi. And thank goodness they liked me, too, because I had no idea how perfect of a fit we were going to be.

So how did someone like me make it through the process? Honestly, I’m not really sure, but I think it had something to do with me staying true to myself.

Because every day I woke up 30 minutes before we left to get ready, when I knew some girls had been up hours before doing their hair and makeup. And I still received a bid.

Because I wore my Chacos the first two days and overheard girls in my walking group talk about houses that cut girls for wearing Chacos. And I still got a bid at the end of the week.

Because I refused to use heat on my hair in the dead of an Oklahoma summer, even on preference night, while girls screamed about their hair one day when it poured. And I was still wanted by my favorite house.

I have mad respect for those girls who curl hair to perfection or create a flawless smoky eye, but I automatically assumed that every single girl in a sorority was like that. Thus, I was a little intimidated and self-conscious at times, and actually believed that I didn’t stand a chance against those other perfect sorority candidates.

However, I couldn’t have been more wrong.

If sororities consisted only of “typical” sorority girls, they wouldn’t have the popularity that they do, especially at OU. Here, 25% of the student body belongs to a Greek house and I can guarantee you that that 25% doesn’t wear Lily Pulitzer dresses and pearls to class or speak like a Valley Girl.

Nope, there are plenty of normal, everyday girls who wear Nike shorts and no makeup and eat Taco Bell at 3 a.m. and swear and play sports and act like dorks in sororities. And when you see that side to a house, it makes you wonder why you were so nervous about meeting these girls in the first place.

Recruitment can be intimidating and there will be frills and flowers and typical sorority things, but it’s all intended to sell the chapter and the experience that each house could give someone, along with its traditions and values.

But I promise you, that picture perfect side you see when you go through recruitment isn’t the real deal. Behind those bump lines, sisterhood videos, and precisely coordinated outfits are regular everyday girls (like you) who know what its like to be where you are and want to help you find where you fit best.

So whether that’s in a house or not, have no fear normal girls who are terrified of rush, because if you be yourself, be nice and have a good attitude, then you’ll end up exactly where you need to be.