@actives

1. Definitely don't listen to the tent talk. I'd listen less to people around me and more to myself and where I'd see myself the most happy.

2. I wouldn't be upset that I didn't get the maximum amount of houses back during an invitational round. More likely than not, you will NOT get back a full schedule, and that's okay. Think of it as a blessing - you don't have to be out in the August heat and can more in your room watching Netflix or exploring campus.

3. I'd get to know more girls during rush. I kind of secluded myself off during rush and didn't actively try to get to know people. This is your first week at college - reach out and talk to people! It's everyone else's first week as well. Ask them to eat lunch with you, or go explore downtown Tuscaloosa one night. But don't just sit in your room all night (see number 2).

4. Know that it's four years. You probably won't fall in love with your house on the first day. And that's okay. It's for four years, and you have plenty of time to find your niche in your house and fall in love. Don't drop bid night because you feel you don't fit in.

5. Focus on your grades. It's SO easy to slack and forget that you're here for a reason. Reach out to your new sisters - they want to see you succeed and more often than not, there's twenty sisters in your major and probably a couple of sisters in your actual classes. Form study groups and get amazing grades!

Remember when you open your bid, THAT house saw something in you-something that they wanted as a part of their house's unique character. They chose YOU. ...And those girls you met and got to know through the process are genuinely excited that YOUR name is on their list and they are going to be so thrilled to see you on Bid Day. That house may not have been your first choice, but they want YOU, so you have the choice to get excited about being a part of a sisterhood or be bummed that you didn't get your first choice and let it ruin something great. Trust the process and go make memories!

I would say just don't take anything personally! Sadly, even houses where I thought I had had great conversations/connections at still dropped me the next day, and at the time some of them were really upsetting and disappointing. Now that I've been on both sides, I can tell you that a LOT of your decision to stay in a house is outside of your control (and often even outside the control of the girl(s) you talked to.) Every house can only keep so many girls and they have to draw the line somewhere, especially to accommodate their legacies/in-house sisters/close friends of actives/etc. Many times you could've been great and gotten great scores, but just not quite reached their cutoff. In other words, don assume that if they didn't ask you back it's because they hated you. Just move on, keep doing yo thang and putting forth the most genuine version of yourself you can - and TRUST THE SYSTEM. Most everyone will tell you that it works.

I would say, ENJOY BEING ON THIS SIDE OF RUSH!!!!!! So many girls act like its the most miserable time ever, but it's what you make it! I absolutely LOVED every second of rush. Yes, it cuts deep when you're dropped, but keep your head up! Keep a smile on your face! Be positive! Laugh! Love every house!
I promise, this will completely change your experience. Don't complain about how hot it is. Or how early it is. Or how it's a bad hair day. Or how you got cut. Or how horrible that house was.
When people around you see how bright and positive you are, it reflects on them. Your rho chi will notice. She will pick you out of the group and who knows she could tell her sorority about your awesome attitude (they're not supposed to, but you never know who's watching)

Just enjoy it. Don't get caught up in the negativity. I'd go through rush 1000 more times because looking back, it was one of the most crazy and fun experiences that you'll never ever have again. It may not seem like it, but your job is the easiest! Heck, you get to go to every house, sit down, drink fun drinks, have girls love you and want you and scream your name and it's just an awesome feeling.
The next few years on the other side are so much tougher than yours that you're about to face.
Meet the girls in your rho chi, use your rho chi leaders, don't act like you're better, HAVE FUN!!!!!

Great thread! Keep it bumped!

Yes!

Bump ^^^

Bump

Self, I know that you are a freshman going through rush and you're being a little superficial and just want a sorority with a new house. But please, for the love of God, rank that "bottom tier" house that you love a little higher or you'll always regret it. Also, don't listen to bid promises.

bump