When I went through formal recruitment spring of my freshman year, I didn't know what to expect. I was nervous, excited, confused, and my face hurt from smiling so much. It was so much fun, and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. I always wondered what it was like to be on the other side of formal recruitment, though, and now that I am I have to say that it isn't very different.

1. We're nervous too.

When I came through, I was so nervous, and I just couldn't wait to be on the other side and not have to deal with those nerves anymore. But we still get nervous. Talking to someone you don't know is always hard, and we feel like we have to impress you as much as you feel like you have to impress us.

2. Yes, we sing the same songs all day long.

As a new freshman, I didn't really know what to expect out of formal recruitment, and the singing was definitely a shock. Every house had it's own songs, coming in and leaving. After I got used to the singing, I started to really enjoy it. Being on the other side is a little different, because we don't get to hear different songs all day. It's just our voices and our songs for hours, but it's still a blast shouting out songs with your sisters.

3. The anticipation is real.

When you're waiting nervously outside, we're waiting nervously inside. Same feeling, different location.

4. SO much goes into the decorating.

Look around when you get into the houses, and I promise you won't be disappointed. From our side, we're so proud of all the work our sisters put into decorating and the amazing and creative themes they come up with. Getting to help decorate is a fun plus too.

5. The recruitment video is a lot more awkward than you think.

We're just college students laughing in the snow, on the grass, in a car (anywhere basically) to music. The videos always come out fantastic, and even though the filming may be awkward and silly, it's a blast doing it with your best friends.

6. You're not expected to be perfect.

We're all human, and tripping when you're walking a girl out the door just makes for a funny story for you and the PNM later on.

7. It's tiring.

When you're waiting to talk to a girl, it feels like you could lay down on the carpet and pass out, but as soon as you start talking to a PNM it's easy to perk back up. The best feeling is taking off your shoes at the end of the night and collapsing on your bed after a long fun day of recruiting.

8. Taking pictures is essential.

We're all in the same outfits already, so why not take as many cute pictures as possible while we're running around getting ready for recruitment to start?

Going through formal recruitment was fun, but once you find your home and get to experience formal recruitment from the other side, you'll remember those experiences for a lifetime.