Recruitment what to do's

Sorority recruitment is only 2 months away, and it has me thinking of my time as a PNM. As a PNM, I found myself thinking of things I wished I’d known to bring to Tuscaloosa. First, don’t underestimate the heat of an Alabama Summer. You will sweat. I never used to sweat a lot, even during sports, and I found myself dripping after house number six on the first day. So, I’m going to make a list of things to bring to recruitment that I wish someone had made for me.
Almost all the PNMs had portable fans. They’re a no-brainer for in between parties and during break times. Oil Blotting wipes, which you can get almost anywhere, are great for keeping your makeup looking fresh all day and keeping the shine away. Matte Powder makeup in a skin color or sheer will help to set your original makeup and keep you from having to redo anything too major during the short breaks. Also the shade of lip gloss or lip stick you put on in the morning should always be with you for after it fades or after meal time. Extra deodorant and waterproof mascara are a good idea for any PNM who isn’t well acclimated to the heat of the Alabama Summer. Breath mints are good to chew between parties if you’re self-conscious about having bad breath. They’re better than gum because you may forget to spit it out, and probably won’t want to be chewing it in a house. It’s important to bring a few pens for jotting down notes in the Greek Chic. I made the mistake of only writing one or two words for the first few parties and quickly learned that it takes more than “blue dress” to differentiate the 17 houses. Having extra pens would be ideal in case one runs out of ink or a friend in your rho chi group doesn’t have one. (Side-note always bring the Greek Chic. I lived by that little book, and did not want to be the PNM always asking to see someone else’s) Plenty of Snacks and a water bottle will keep you full and hydrated between mealtimes. A large, cold water bottle was ideal for any girl who didn’t want to get dizzy or sick in the hottest part of the day. If you’re wearing heals, flip flops are a great idea between parties. I remember when my best friend from my rho chi group, thought we were supposed to be at the same house for a preference party and she ended up having to run down the row with her shoes in her hands to get to her party on time. Fall Primary Recruitment can have a ton of walking and you’ll save yourself a lot of pain and heart ache by taking care of your feet when you can. Lastly, it is important to bring a good attitude. As cheesy as that sounds, I wish I’d known how hard the actives had been working the week and even semester before recruitment week. The houses really get pumped up and excited for the PNM’s, and the least I could do was show the same amount of optimism and excitement when being invited into their houses. I wish I’d known to brag about myself and ask questions when I was curious. Recruitment week is one of the only weeks when you get to see inside all the houses and get to know girls in your own grade before the schoolwork hits. If I could do it all again, I’d share exactly what I have here and tell myself to have fun and be myself because that’s how you find the house that’s the perfect fit for you.