It’s that time of year again: Formal Recruitment! If you’re considering going Greek, you are most likely busy doing research on your school’s chapters, searching for the perfect outfits, and getting yourself prepped for events! You may feel like you are going through the process alone, but thousands of girls across the country are experiencing the same exact things.

1. Thinking about rush events all week long and being incredibly stressed about it

You will experience many ups and down over the course of Formal Recruitment. It is common for girls to be stressed over every aspect of the process. Overthinking prior to events will undoubtedly lead to nerves, and those nerves may negatively impact your experience. Although a little bit of butterflies are inevitable, try not to let it consume your experience.

2. Cleaning up all of your social media profiles

Some sororities use social media profiles to get a better idea of who you are, since there are so many girls rushing, and not enough time to get to know each and every girl very well. Cleaning up your social media profiles can mean anything from erasing the embarrassing seventh-grade Facebook statuses, to deleting the Red Solo Cup posts on Instagram. Use social media to your advantage during Formal Recruitment. Don’t hide who you are, present the best version of yourself to your potential future sisters.

3. Asking your friends for approval on your outfits

Remember that old saying about first impressions? It most definitely applies while rushing. We are all guilty of picking out an outfit that doesn’t look our absolute best or changing our minds between curled or straightened hair at least once in our lives. Your friends give the best advice, and help steer you in the right direction. Although appearances aren’t everything, knowing that your outfit got the seal of approval from your friends is a big confidence booster, and confidence is most definitely key during rush.

4. When someone asks the question “What if you don’t get a bid?”

This is the question everyone asks, and no one wants to answer. Of course, this possibility is in the back of all of our minds during Formal Recruitment. Even though no one is guaranteed a bid, it can be toxic to go to rush events with a negative attitude. If you are not confident in your abilities to be yourself and get a bid, it will definitely show. Being positive about the process will be most beneficial to you.

5. Over-preparing for the Open House rounds

A key to the Open House round is being able to keep the conversation going with any and all of the sisters you will meet. In order to avoid awkward silences and gaps, be able to talk about things you are interested in and fun facts that make you unique. Also, if the sisters ask if you have any questions, be sure to ask something (anything)! They want to help you make the right choice in your future sisterhood, and they want you to have as much information possible in order to do so. It is important to avoid a breakdown in conversation, especially since the sisters have a limited time to get to know you.

6. Introducing yourself for what seems like the millionth time

Rush events have the potential to feel redundant. You may begin to think that you sound like a broken record, because you have said your hellos and gone through your ice breaker topics more times than you can count. Try not to get annoyed by this, and give each conversation you have with a sister the respect it deserves. You may miss out on a great connection with a sister if you seem disinterested from the get-go.

7. That feeling when you get invited back to a house you wanted

The hard work is finally beginning to pay off. All at once, your heart has skipped a beat, your cheeks hurt from smiling, and a huge weight has been lifted off of your shoulders. Not only did you find a sorority that you like, but they also liked you! Take time to do a little happy dance, but don’t forget that the process isn’t yet complete, and the next round is quickly approaching.

8. When someone talks badly about a house you love

Through Formal Recruitment, you will come to find a sisterhood that sends you head over heels in the best way possible; however, not everyone has the same opinions. There’s a good chance that you will encounter someone who did not clique with a certain sisterhood in the same way as you, and naturally, you’ll get slightly defensive.

9. Daydreaming about hanging out with your future sisters and wearing your letters around campus

At some point during the process, the only thing helping you curb your excitement and nerves is imagining what it will be like to officially meet your new sisters finally have your letters. Any of the other Potential New Members, or PNMs, that you will meet could be your future sisters, and there is a love/hate relationship with this kind of anticipation. You will become extremely close with girls you may have never crossed paths with if it weren’t for your sisterhood. But up until then, the suspense is driving you to near insanity.

10. Waiting for what seems like an eternity on Bid Day and not being able to focus on anything else but realizing, at the end of it all, that everything was worth it

The wait is over! You’ve gone through the ups and downs of Formal Recruitment and have officially been welcomed into the house that you will now call your home. It’s time to start this next chapter in your life! The only thing more exciting than getting your bid will be welcoming the pledge classes to come after you.

Everyone who goes through Formal Recruitment can end up feeling overwhelmed. At the end of the process, you will end up finding your home for the next few years, and your sisters for life. Being a part of a Greek organization can, and will, help you grow into the person you want to be. So, put on your best pair of heels and your best foot forward, and take on Formal Recruitment with all the excitement you can!