It's that time again - it's time to make your way back to your sorority house and reunite with your sisters. For some of you this may be a new experience, for others, you could do this in your sleep. Recruitment work week is finally here. Here come the long days and the sleepless nights as you try your best to prepare perfectly for recruitment. Get ready for the songs to get stuck in your head, your voice to be used more in these next few weeks than in the entire year, and memories to last a life time. It will be a tiring week but a fun one and you'll grow even closer to all your sisters. So, put on a smile, listen to your recruitment chair, and get excited to recruit the best pledge class your chapter has ever seen.

It will be a long week, so here are a few work week essentials to get you through the madness.

1. Coffee. Like I said, the days will be long. Start your morning off right with some caffeine to put you in a good mood and get you ready to work.
2. Snacks. Again, with long days, you are going to get hungry. Dealing with 200 hungry girls doesn't sound pleasant so please remember to bring a snack for your benefit and the benefit of everyone around you,
3. Emergen-C or Vitamins. You'll be around lots of girls in a closed room. The last thing you need is to get sick the week before recruitment. Drink hot tea with honey and be proactive when it comes to potentially losing your voice.
4. A good attitude. The days are long and your voice is tired but remember that everyone is feeling similar to you, The more pleasant you are to be around, the more pleasant everyone else will be. Set a good example and remember that complaining wont make the days shorter.
5. A jacket and/or blanket. It can get cold when you are sitting stationary in a room for too long. Bring a jacket/ flannel or blanket to make you more comfortable. It is easier to dress in layers so you can take them off if you get too hot, or put more on if you get too cold.
6. Water. Stay hydrated, it will keep your body happy and healthy and help soothe your voice from all the singing.
7. Slippers/Socks. Just like bringing a jacket or blanket, socks will keep your feet from getting cold. They also makes it fun to slide across the chapter room.
8. Closed toe shoes. These keep your feet protected from being hit on stairs or stomped on by other feet. If your chapter is anything like mine and you have to walk backwards up the stairs, these will be your best friend in keeping your feet free from harm.
9. Mints. I wrote an article a couple weeks ago called "Advice for Girls Going Through Recruitment" that suggested PNMs bring mints to keep their breath fresh and them confident.The same goes for you now. Having to talk and sing so much this week it is nice to keep a mint with you.
10. A cute puppy to boost morale. Okay this one isn't a necessity. Or maybe it is. With so many of you, someone has to have a puppy! I haven't met anyone who could be upset or in a bad mood while playing with a puppy.
    

At the end of this very important week, you will be ready to recruit the best pledge class. Remember to love your sisters, respect your recruitment chair, and have fun. You will learn so many useful things to take with you into the real world. Conversation skills, adaptability when things go wrong, and how to work with different personality types, just to name a few things. Good luck! Can't wait to see everyone's bid day pictures!