Since sorority recruitment is just around the corner, I have been reflecting a lot on my experience as a potential new member. Now that I am on the flip side of recruitment, I thought it might be beneficial to compile a list of the most important things I learned from my experiences, both as a PNM and as a sorority woman. My hope is that this list might help some of you who are thinking about going Greek.

First off, let me start by saying that sorority recruitment is not, by any means, easy. It is a long, stressful, emotional process. Everyone has a different experience. Some people live and breathe recruitment and some people can’t wait for it to end. You will see people laugh, you will see people cry, and you will see people experience a lot of bizarre emotions in between (usually a mix of exhaustion, adrenaline and anxiety).

Trust me, this is normal. There are many highs and lows throughout the week. Sometimes it is hard to wrap your head around everything, but I promise that it will all be worth it in the end. Even if you are unsure about whether you should register for recruitment or not, do it. You have nothing to lose and so much to gain.

Here is a list of 10 things I think you should keep in mind before embarking on this journey.

1. Keep an open mind.

I strongly believe that this is the most important thing to remember. You will hear positive and negative things about each house throughout the week. It's unfortunate, but it’s true. As hard as it might be, try to block out the stereotypes. Keep in mind that just because your best friend put a particular chapter at the bottom of her list does not mean you have to agree with her and do the same. Don’t let anyone sway your opinion. Give each chapter an equal chance. Who knows, that house your friend couldn’t see herself in might be your favorite by the end of the week. You should be looking for sisters that you feel comfortable around.

2. Be yourself

This may seem obvious, but it is easy to get caught up in a conversation and feel the need to agree with everything the other person is saying in the hopes that they will like you. Be honest and genuine about who you are and what you are looking for in a sorority. Trust me: sorority women are able to tell the difference between a heartfelt conversation and one that is fake or forced.

3. Don’t focus on the “rankings” at your school.

If your primary focus while going through sorority recruitment is to get a bid from a “top house” at the end of the week then, frankly, you are doing this for all the wrong reasons. Joining a sorority is a lifetime commitment. You should be joining a chapter and a sisterhood based on similar values, interests, and personality. I can honestly say that each and every chapter on your campus has amazing, kindhearted, intelligent women. You can’t go wrong with any of them. Refrain from looking at ranking websites. Yes, they exist. No, they are not a fair representation of the women in each chapter.

4. Don’t listen to the opinions of fraternity men.

Fraternity men do not know anything about sorority recruitment. Plain and simple. They have never been through sorority recruitment, and they will never go through sorority recruitment. Recruitment is like speed-dating: You are there to meet women, not men. Focus on that. Don’t make decisions based on the fact that some guy told you that X Sorority has the most social events throughout the year with Y Fraternity. That is not what this is all about. At the end of the day, you come home to the women that you will share a bond with for the rest of your life.

5. You will get dropped, and that’s okay.

Dropping houses and getting dropped by houses is how the process works. If a house drops you, try not to take it personally. It’s hard, I know; I’ve been there. However, it is important to focus on the houses that want to keep you and see you being a part of their sisterhood. Just because a house drops you does not mean that they didn’t like you – it simply means that they see you fitting in and finding your home at one of the other chapters.

6. Just because you are a legacy doesn’t mean you are guaranteed a bid.

If a family member such as your mom, grandma, or sister was in a particular sorority, you are considered a "legacy." Contrary to popular belief, just because you are a legacy does not necessary mean you will end up in that particular sorority. Legacy rules for each chapter are different. Some chapters will take your legacy status into consideration, and some won't. At the end of the day it all comes down to whether they think you will be a good fit or not. I know this from personal experience. I got dropped by my mom's house and was devastated at first, but as the week went on I realized that my home was still out there. It does happen, and it's not the end of the world. Also keep in mind: If you are a legacy, don’t feel pressured to choose a sorority simply because your family member did before you. This is your decision, and it is important that you choose the home that is right for you.

7. Don’t put down other houses.

Just don’t do it. If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at all. You don’t want to be that girl who badmouths other chapters. You never know who is listening, and you never know whose feelings you are going to hurt. Like I said, every chapter has amazing women, and you should take the time to get to know them before being so quick to judge.

8. Make friends with the girls in your recruitment group.

At the beginning of the week, when you arrive for recruitment, you will be assigned a recruitment counselor (we call them Rho Gammas) who will guide you through the week and answer any questions you may have about the process. There will be other girls in your Rho Gamma group and you will go through the entire week with them. Try to get to know the girls in your group. Some of them might end up in the same chapter as you, but others will not. However, you will always have that special connection. The girls in my group were my first friends at school. They are still my best friends to this day.

9. Dress comfortably.

I cannot stress this enough. Nobody is expecting you to walk in the door wearing a dress and five-inch wedges every day of the week. It is okay to dress up, but usually the first few days of recruitment are casual. If you do want to wear heels, bring a pair of flip-flops to change into between each house. This will make your trek down Greek Row a lot smoother.

10. Trust the process and make the most of each day.

This is a once in a lifetime experience. You only have four (sometimes five) years of your undergraduate education, and to waste such precious time would be a shame. Take everything in, and put yourself out there. Even if things don’t seem to be going the way you had planned throughout the week, stick it out. You may realize the home you always needed is right in front of you.

Best of luck with recruitment, ladies. You are in for the best years of your life!