So I have actually had the tiring pleasure of going through
sorority recruitment twice. I was too much of an awkward shit the first time
through to get a bid so I shaped up and went through again. Jokes, I went
through rush at one school but didn’t accept a bid because I knew I was
transferring to my current school. To be totally honest, I know very little
about recruitment in the South. It seems wayyyy more intense and I can’t wait
until my daughters get to go through it in a place where you’re not running
from house to house in the cold. However, I have learned some of the things
about rush your Rho Gamma won’t tell you. This set of posts will be broken up
into a few segments otherwise you’d be reading a novel. They will be things you
need, what to wear, conversation tips, and choosing a house. If you have any
other topics that you think won’t be covered in those sections or just want to
ask specific questions go to my ask (ask.fm/LillyandLattes)
Part 1: Things you need
Every
school has (or should have) a Panhellenic website that explains what to wear
and what the rounds are and will give you a little bit of an overview about
things you should know. This is a good place to start, and hopefully if you’re
going to go through rush you’ve checked it out. I’ll discuss outfits later.
Some things to pack that you may not know you need:
-
A waterproof bag
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Anti static dryer sheets
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An umbrella
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Dr Scholls for your heels
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Lip gloss (duh)
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Mints
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Snacks
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Lint roller
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A brush
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Small mirror
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Hand warmers
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A coat with a hood
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Hand sanitizer
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Cough drops
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Bottle of water
While you are waiting to go into a house you should have a
few minutes to get yourself under control. Run the dryer sheet over your hair
and your clothes to get rid of static so you’re not shocking people and your
hair isn’t sticking straight out in every direction. Before you go in the
house, run the lint roller over you if you need to, and pop a mint. Try to get
small mints that dissolve quickly like altoids or something so you don’t have
anything in your mouth when you’re talking to the sisters. Put on a swipe of
lipgloss and check yourself in your mirror. If you need to, brush your hair.
When your Rho Gamma(s) give you like a two minute warning take your umbrella
and put it upside down on the ground. Then put your bag and the bags of anyone
else that you’ve made friends with in line in the umbrella. This way your stuff
isn’t on the ground. If you change out of boots put them upside down in the umbrella
so they don’t fill with snow or rain. If someone else brought an umbrella put
that umbrella open on top of your things if it’s snowing or raining. Before you
go in, have your coat at least unzipped, and if it’s not too terribly cold try
to take it off before you go in. This will make it a lot easier for the sisters
to take your coat and you won’t be frazzled trying to take it off in the door.
When you get your schedule in the morning, figure out where
you’re going and make sure you know the location of each house. This will make
it much easier for you when you’re trying to get from house to house. Find
girls standing in line with you that are going to the same house next, and walk
together. As your walking from house to house or on a lunch, break pop a cough
drop. Talking all day can really take a toll on your voice (coming from someone
that lost their voice during rush) so cough drops will help your throat and the
vitamin C will help keep your immune system strong during the busy week. Drink
water in between houses too, getting dehydrated will make you tired, and
staying hydrated will help you look your best. If it’s cold, use hand warmers to
prevent your fingers from freezing while you walk or wait.
Recruitment can be stressful and it can be tiring, but it is
completely worth it. Making sure that you’re taking care of yourself makes it
easier to show the sisters in each house your great personality, and being
prepared means you’re not worried about your hair being all over the place or
you having something in your teeth. Being confident is the most important
thing, and even if you’re not, fake it until you make it. Be yourself but don’t
be scared. All of the sisters you are talking to had to go through recruitment
too so they get what you’re going through. You will be fine!
LLL
P.S. Remember, if you want to ask specific questions or see specific topics in these posts go to my ask! I'd love to help!