It’s that time of the year again ladies, and this year, it’s bigger than ever. 2012 spring rush week will commence on January 16. It will be a week full of endless conversations, constant cheering, and decisions, decisions, decisions! As we all depart for winter break, it’s time to consider the do’s and don’ts of rush week, and how you can prepare yourself for the craziest week of your life.
DO: Smile as much as possible.
As hard as it is to look happy all the time, sorority girls are basically trained to smile 24/7 during recruitment. They want to make you feel comfortable and welcome during their parties, and the simplest way to do so is to smile back at you. Coming in with a smile means you’re coming in with a positive attitude, and you can’t go wrong with that. Your smile is the easiest way to win people over, so why not show them what you’ve got?
DON’T: Go into it with your heart set on one sorority.
Hosting recruitment in the spring has its positives and negatives: on the bright side, you get to see what every sorority is like on campus and how they interact, but on the other hand, you learn the supposed stereotype of each chapter. Going into recruitment with a closed mind can cause you to make the wrong decision; just because five girls from a specific chapter talk to you all the time does not guarantee you a bid. You may think you know where you’d fit in before the week even begins, but by setting your heart on one sorority, you might close yourself off to the other chapters and everything they have to offer you.
DO: Ask questions.
There’s no denying it; conversations with girls you’ve never met before can be extremely awkward. It’s the equivalent of walking up to a stranger and asking them their hobbies and what they like and don’t like. To avoid any awkward moments, come prepared with questions like, “Why did you join XYZ sorority?” or “Can you tell me more about your philanthropic efforts and service work?” are exactly what sorority girls want to hear; they ease the conversation and they’ll help you learn about their chapter. Coming prepared with questions also impresses the sisters: it makes it seem like you’re really interested and prepared to join a sorority.
DON’T: Talk about other chapters on campus.
Comments like, “I heard your chapter doesn’t get along with XYZ sorority on campus” or questions like, “do you hate all of the other chapters here?” puts sorority sisters in an awkward position. You can guarantee that every girl has a friend in each chapter, but that doesn’t mean every chapter has to be BFF’s. Avoid questions like these, and focus on the chapter whose party you’re at.
DO: Be yourself.
The girls you meet from each sorority can become your sisters not only for college, but also for the rest of your life, and there’s a high likelihood that some of them will become your bridesmaids. By being yourself, you’ll find out where you fit in and with whom you’re most comfortable. Don’t try to pretend you’re someone you’re not: if you really hate designer brands, don’t tell the girls you’re in love with Michael Kors or that you own seven Lilly dresses. Being honest and being yourself is the best way to find out where you belong, and it’ll guarantee you satisfaction by the time bid day rolls around.
Elle & Bruiser Woods were Delta Nu’s.
DON’T: Let someone else make the decision for you.
Just because all of your suitemates want to be in one sorority doesn’t mean you need to join that one as well. Joining a sorority should be your sole decision and no one else’s. Don’t let your friends persuade you to join X sorority because they’re prettier and party more often than Y sorority. If you don’t wind up in the same chapter as your best friend, so be it; it doesn’t mean you can’t be friends, it just means you’ll have different groups of friends.
DO: Get sleep.
While the sorority sisters slave away voting until 1 a.m., you’ll probably be twisting and turning in your bed, wondering what parties you’ll get invited back to and who will offer you a bid on Saturday. Or maybe, you’ll be emotionally eating Dominoes with your roommate until 2 a.m., wondering if you should’ve ranked the sororities differently when you met with your Pi Chi Wednesday night. Whatever you do, sleep as much as you can! You don’t want to be cranky when you get to the last party of the night, especially when you’re trying to set a good impression. Get as much rest as possible, because a week walking around in heels and dresses and talking for five hours straight a night takes quite a toll on the body!
DON’T: Stress.
Many potential new members get caught up in the craze of rush week and never step back to look at the big picture of joining a sorority. Picking a sorority is not an easy decision and there’s a lot of things to consider when choosing one, but don’t second-guess your choice. Go with your gut feeling. Relax. Breathe. And remember that wherever you wind up, you’ll have the time of your life.