Around this time many upcoming girls planning on going through sorority recruitment at their college of choice are picking out their prettiest pictures, correcting their A+ resumes, finding people to write good letters of recommendation, and of course going shopping for all of their party outfits. But don't forget that it'll be here before you know it. During rush you will have many different emotions and questions, best thing to do is not freak out and just try and take it all in. If you don't have an older sister or cousin to educate you on all the sorority details like I didn't, some things may surprise. During recruitment you will be very busy going from party to party, meeting many new people, and also trying to make decisions. You be greeted every day by loud, smily girls who are full of pep and bouncing and clapping. But before you judge or have a panic attack...just take a deep breath and take it all in, remember this is a new experience for everyone. And after it is all over, which you will be happy it is, hopefully you found your home and sisters for life.

So during recruitment you may need some advice and words to keep you calm and on the right track. Here are some things to keep in mind while you are going through recruitment:

The most important thing: KEEP AN OPEN MIND.

Yes, you may have 3 sisters in a certain chapter and your heart is set there and only there...yes, you want to stick with your high school buddies and all join the same chapter...but no, this isn't what you should do. During rush anything can happen and many things can change. The best piece of advice I've gotten before rush week was to keep and open mind. This means not listening to girls who are already in those chapters of your college and also not listening to the stereotypes people put on each chapter. Go into every house with an open mind, give every chapter a shot.

You do you.

Another important thing...please be yourself. This is how you find which house you truly belong in. Wear the party clothes you feel most comfortable in and not the most popular Lily Pulitzer dress... because I promise you, 30 other girls will be wearing it. Let your true personality show. When you're having conversations in all the different houses be yourself, talk to those girls like you're talking with your friends.

Don't follow the crowd.

If you have friends that are also going through rush with you, I would honestly keep my house opinions to myself. You never know, you might have not clicked with a certain house down the row but one of your best friends did and that's okay. It's okay to not be in the same sorority as your friends. This is an opportunity to really branch out and make lots of new friends and it also awesome to have old friends in different houses down the row. So when it comes down to picking the sorority you want to be in, go off of your thoughts only, just listen to yourself.

Be confident.

...but not too confident! lol But yes, have confidence in yourself. Show them how great of a person you are and all the good qualities you have. And if a certain house doesn't pick you, don't let that get you down, yes it can be upsetting at first but that just means you didn't fit there anyway and that there is an amazing house waiting just for you. Hold your head up high, but not too too high.