For many of you, recruitment will
begin in a few days or weeks. I'm sure you are finalizing your outfit choices
so you can make the best possible first impression. Of course, what you are
wearing is important not only because you want to feel good about how you look
but also it shows you took the time to present yourself in the best light. This
is great training for the interviews you will have in college and the real
world. You must dress the part.
It is also important to identify
those items you will carry in The Bag you will carry and leave in the tent
between parties. Remember all the stuff Mary Poppins included in her bag? You
too should be the PNM that has everything one would need in 100 degree weather.
Thanks to our local Greek women, here is a listing of items you might want to
include. Remember - you will carry nothing into the events. It all remains
outside.
A pen & a small notebook
Chapstick/lip gloss
Comfy flip flops
Deodorant
Face Powder
Flip flops
Hair Brush
Mints
Mirror
Perfume
Small fan
Snacks
Tissues
Water
I brought a handheld fan in my bag.
It helped cool me down between houses and especially when all of the good spots
in the tents were taken. It also helped me make friends! I would
suggest bringing an umbrella because there were quite a few unexpected
showers when I went through recruitment.
A pair of flip flops that are comfy!
(I brought my Chaco’s) just to wear on the row between houses on days your
shoes are uncomfortable.
An umbrella, for the rain that will
most likely happen, and to keep you cool in the summer heat. A book or
something to keep you busy! On the days you can't talk it can get pretty
boring, being something to keep you occupied.
Special thanks to the following for
their advice.
Maddie Street
Kailey Johnson
Christina DeRuyter
Jennifer
Hoyle
And a special message from Abigayle English who loves
to blog and reminds us what is important in the recruitment process - being
yourself so you can meet new friends.
Honestly, I wouldn't put too much
focus into what you bring to sorority row as it can get you confused about the
recruitment process. I remember everyone stressing to bring extra jewelry if
something broke or your whole make-up bag. I think that is good advice if you
want to be over-prepared but I think it also makes us too concerned about what
we look like on the outside and not as concerned about what really matters when
we're in the houses, our character.
I learned this through watching a
girl cry her eyes out outside of one of the houses, because she had lost one
earring and said her outfit wasn't complete without them. I can imagine how
hard it was for her to go into that house and talk about her experiences,
interests and goals when she was so focused on her outfit. So I would say to
bring whatever will make you feel comfortable so that you can focus on being
yourself inside the houses.
The items in your bag should just
help you not be distracted by your outward appearance so that you can focus on
your inner self. For example, I knew that if I had bad breath I would be less
likely to talk and if I didn't have a snack I would get grumpy. So I brought a
snack and some mints. If you are worried about sweating, bring deodorant and
coffee filters for a quick freshen-up. So you can readjust outside to make
yourself comfortable and then reflect on what that last house was like, unlike
some girls who would spend all the extra time redoing make-up or changing
jewelry out.
While you want to look your best,
being on the other side of recruitment I have learned that we are so concerned
about finding out what kind of lady you are, that you could walk in with two
different shoes and we probably wouldn't notice. So don't pack a huge bag that
will put pressure on you to focus on your outward appearance. Just make sure
that you are comfortable so you can be yourself in the house. We are so excited
to get to know you all and don't want y'all to get too worried about the
materialistic side of things. So my end-all advice for the bag is pack what you
need to feel comfortable and to be able to be yourself.
