10 "Do's and Don'ts" of Recruitment for PNMs

Photo courtesy of Alpha Delta Pi

The time has finally come! As of Sunday, it’s officially Recruitment Week at the University of Mississippi. If you are a PNM (and even if you aren’t) take a look at these dos and dont’s for Recruitment Week as you finish preparing yourselves to find your home away from home!

DO:

1. Get ahead on your homework

There is no doubt that this week is going to be stressful. Use any free time you have to get ahead on your homework. You are going to be stressed already, and the last thing you need is that Biology assignment sneaking up on you!

2. Plan out your outfits

Take some time before the week starts and plan out your outfits! You don’t want to be scrambling around at the last minute looking for your Lilly shorts on Philanthropy Day.

3. Talk to your Gamma Chi throughout the week

You have probably been talking to your Gamma Chi throughout this entire process, so definitely don’t stop now! Gamma Chis are there to help you through all of the crazy emotions you are going to experience this week, and they might just have a few pieces of last minute advice!

4. Have an open mind

Photo by Holly Horton

You have heard it over and over again: “Have an open mind.” But it is honestly SO true. Put any existing opinions regarding houses and reputations out of your mind and just let the system and your experience guide you to your new home!

5. Get plenty of sleep

This is so important! This week is exhausting and stressful, so DO NOT cut yourself on sleep. You are going to need every bit of energy you can get, so find some time to take a nap.

DON’T:

1. Skip class

Whatever you do, DO NOT SKIP CLASS this week. Houses are not going to count it against you when you miss a round for class. Academics always come first, and this week is no exception.

2. Trash talk the sororities

It makes you seem like you are going through Recruitment for all the wrong reasons. Obviously, you are not going to like everything about every house you visit this week, but keep any negative opinions to yourself.

Photo by Caroline Waller

3. Wear a watch

You have heard this rule many times by now, but DO NOT wear a watch, FitBit, or anything else that tells you the time. Someone at each house will be keeping track of the time, so that is one less thing you have to worry about! Just focus on having great conversation!

4. Be someone you aren’t

Recruitment Week is about finding a home away from home and connecting with girls who will become your sisters. You don’t want to make them think you’re someone you aren’t, because if you do, odds are you are going to have a rough time in that sorority later if you’re having to put on an act. Gavin DeGraw said it best in the One Tree Hill theme song: “I don’t wanna be anyone other than me!”

5. Forget to have fun!

This week is the first step that will lead you to so many amazing people and memories.  It’s easy to get caught up in the frills, but don’t forget what it’s truly about. This is such an exciting journey, so don’t be afraid to have fun with it! You are finding girls that are going to become your sisters for a lifetime… that’s exciting! So when it gets tough, slow down, take a deep breath, and remember to just have fun because Bid Day is right around the corner!

Caroline Waller is a Social Media Intern for HottyToddy. She can be reached at cgwaller@go.olemiss.edu.