As August quickly approaches and the sign up for sorority formal recruitment comes to a close, many girls are wondering what to expect during that life-changing week. When do you meet your bridesmaids? When will you get your first Comfort Colors tee? Are your Lilly shorts too much with your Tory sandals? How does any of this work? What am I doing?
These questions race through every potential sorority girl's head: recruitment week is stressful, fun, sweaty, emotional, nerve-wracking, scary, wonderful, and awesome. So, here is a survival guide of tips and tricks to rock sorority recruitment and make the best decision of your life.
What to bring:
The middle of August is not known for its cool weather so be prepared for the unthinkable. If you are allowed to carry a purse or bag be sure to include:
Water bottle - Even if they give you water you will NEED this, stay hydrated and keep yourself healthy, you don't want to pass out walking to a house and miss your chance to meet more incredible women!
Snack - Sad, but true, lunch is not provided in most recruitment processes, you're on your own, so make sure you pack some chips or a granola bar to keep your energy up between houses!
Makeup - Sweating is inevitable people, especially in the August sun, so if you are a makeup kind of gal, make sure to pack your essentials to spruce up between visiting the different houses. Not only will you look great, but you will feel confident too!
Mint/gum - Being six inches away from a girls face will really show you how much it means to have good breath, so be sure to be minty fresh (but maybe don't chew the gum when you're in the houses).
Flip-flops - I will be the first to say that wedges are not ideal when running from one house to the other, so if you know you might have little time to get to each place, be sure to grab easy running shoes so you don't miss your house party!
What attitudes to have:
Recruitment is a crazy time, the only way to survive the tribulations and challenges of the week is to stay happy and on your feet, ready for anything, be sure to stay:
Positive - The week is long and stressful, sometimes the days are hot and you have blisters on your heels and your shorts got dirty, but it is SO important to stay positive during this whole process in order for you to enjoy one of the best weeks of your life.
Optimistic - Your week might not turn out how you plan, but if you hear it now you will hear it again, TRUST THE SYSTEM, you will end up exactly where you are supposed to be, with the girls you will one day call your bridesmaids.
Friendly - You might not think you know what is going on and everyone around you has it figured out, but really those 2,000 women surrounding you, have no clue either. Make friends in your groups, be open to starting conversations, learn about the strangers that surround you, some of them might become your best friends.
How to dress:
Girls spend the entire summer planning their recruitment outfits and what will be perfect for each day, so while you plan months in advance be sure to keep these hints in mind, always be:
Comfortable - If your school provides t-shirts for you to wear, you are given the freedom to choose your shorts/skirt and shoes! I cannot stress how important it is to be comfortable in what you are wearing, make sure your shorts aren't too tight, your shoes are broken in and easy to walk in, and that your skirt is comfy enough for you to sit down and stand up with ease.
Appropriate - I know the new dress you just got from Urban would look great on preference day, but girls make sure your dress is long enough to not be showing too much skin, the fingertip rule from high school is always a good rule of thumb to live by. Make sure nothing is too low-cut or tight, don't wear anything that you wouldn't want your mother or grandmother to see you in.
Authentic - Be yourself as much as you possibly can, this week is to showcase your personality and let the beautiful women in each house understand who you really are. Add jewelry with a pop of color or fun sandals that will grab people's attention and start conversations. You want these girls to love you for your uniqueness and authenticity, so be yourself and love the way you look, because you will radiate confidence and that will speak volumes.
What to say:
Talking to strangers for eight hours a day is exhausting and the conversations can become dull so be sure to always have something interesting to say that will spark meaningful conversation, and remember this week is about showing girls who you really are so remember to:
Be patient and honest - Conversations are long and sometimes weird if they hit a dull moment, so be honest in your conversations and always be ready to have something to talk about. If you find yourself repeating what you said in the five other houses you've been to that day, it's okay, they understand, they just want to see your true self.
Be interested - Ask questions to the members, inquire into their chapter and what they like to do also, this really helps you see if you fit in with those girls. You would much rather have your questions answered so you can learn as much about that sorority as they are learning about you. The process is a two-way street, always remember that.
Be relaxed - The first house is always exhilarating and scary because no one knows what to expect, the girls in-house know you are nervous, and honestly they're nervous too. Just stay calm and take some deep breaths. ALWAYS be sure to drink the water they give you in between conversations, believe me you will need it. Last but not least relax and just act like you are talking to a friend you have known for years, after all these could be your sisters some day.
Avoid the 3 Bs - The simple 3 Bs: Boys, Booze and Bible. Sorry ladies but no one wants to hear about how great your boyfriend back at home was, or how drunk you were with your older sister when you went to visit her in college, and be sure to steer clear of discussing beliefs, everyone is different and has different views, and the last thing you will want to do is offend someone.
All in all, formal recruitment is incredible. At the time, the week was a chaotic blur of loud voices, running in wedges, and nervously talking to people in line around you, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I made some best friends by just standing next to them and sharing the same nervous thoughts, and I owe that to formal recruitment.
If I leave you with anything, I hope it is to trust the system, you will end up exactly where you are supposed to be. If you love yourself and are honest with the women in each chapter on Bid Day, you will have sisters who will love you, not for four years, but forever.
