Coming into a huge school like Penn State, rushing is a semi-quick way to meeting some of your life long best friends. While the process is long, tiresome, and emotional, in the end it's worth it. Here are my top 10 tips for Fall Rush:

1. Be yourself.

I know this sounds so cliche, but it's true. If you pretend to be something you're not, if you end up getting a bid from a sorority that is not like you, you will be unhappy. I had my heart set on one sorority and acted like them while I was there, then during second rounds I realized I had nothing in common with those girls. If you stay true to yourself, in the end, you will find where you belong.

2. Keep an open mind.

When you are rushing, don't get your heart set on any one sorority. If you do this, you will be crushed when they drop you (I know from first-hand experience). Don't listen to what other people say, make sure that your opinions just come from your own experiences at that sorority.

3. Make sure your hair and makeup is done!

If you look put-together, you will feel more confident when talking to the girls. It can be uncomfortable when you're the only one who didn't get ready for rush.

4. Check the weather.

For one of my open house rounds, I didn't know it was going to rain, and I showed up with my hair soaked and makeup running down my face. All that time I put into getting ready went to waste when my hair was curly and messy once again, and I looked like I was crying for hours before. My white shorts also became see-through, which was embarrassing as well. To save from feeling uncomfortable, check your weather app before you leave your room so you can be prepared for all weather conditions.

5. Don't listen to rumors.

We all know from experience that most rumors are not true. If you believe everything you hear about the sororities, you will continually be disappointed throughout rush over things that aren't even the least bit accurate. My roommate kept putting down almost every sorority during rush, and she could not have been more wrong. Her words stayed in my mind during each round, and made me crazy. Do not let other people's opinions influence you during rush!

6. Be nice.

Even if you don't like the girl you are talking to, be nice and respectful to them while they are talking to you. Chances are if you don't like them, they probably don't like you, and you won't be invited back, so there's no reason to be rude while you are there. All of the recruiters are always nice, so it will not kill you to return the favor. It takes more effort to be mean than to be nice, so why try so hard to be rude?

7. Make friends in your Pi Chi group!

Rush is so much more enjoyable when you have people in your Pi Chi group to talk to, sit with during down time, get meals with during breaks, etc. The friends you make during rush will help you through your ups and downs and makes the experience so much easier to handle.

8. Listen to your Pi Chi's.

If it weren't for my Pi Chi's, I would have dropped out of rush. They were so supportive throughout the whole process, and helped me when I was sad about being dropped by my top choice. They are there to listen and help you, so take advantage of that. They were specially-selected for this position, through an intensive interview process, so these girls are the best of the best for this position. They know what they're doing, and they know they can't be biased.

9. Remember the recruiters are just as nervous as you are.

If you think that the recruiters are just doing this because they have to, then you're wrong. The girls recruiting are just as, if not more, nervous than you, because they want to recruit a great group of girls and they want girls who want to be there. It's so hard to make a good impression on people, and that's the biggest part of the recruiters' job.

10. Trust the process.

Throughout rush, and especially on bid day, don't be disappointed with your results. The recruiters know better than you where you'd be a good fit and that's what rush is all about. And why would you want to be somewhere that the girls don't want you? Everyone ends up where they belong, and that's the crazy, wonderful thing about rush.

Rush is one of the most stressful weeks at school, but if you remain calm, listen to your Pi Chi's, and stay open-minded, in the end you will be happy and love your sisters.