Recruitment 2014 Countdown

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.