It's that time of year: RUSH

The time has come, the moment you've all been waiting for, or maybe dreading, or maybe extremely nervous and excited and overwhelmed about, or maybe you could care less and you're just doing it because everyone else on your floor is and you thought, "why the hell not?": sorority recruitment.

Whether you have always dreamed about being in a sorority or you last minute decided to sign up because, really, you've got nothin' to lose, recruitment is a once-in-a-lifetime (or twice, if you decide to rush as a sophomore) opportunity that I am so happy I was able to experience for myself. I'm sure you've all been intently listening to your Rho Gams on types of outfits to wear, different conversation topics, directions and quickest routes on how to get to each house within 20 minutes... the list goes on and, well, it all may seem very overwhelming. It's like you have no idea how you're supposed to remember all this stuff and still be able to have 3 different 5-30 minute conversations at all 21 sororities. But trust me, it's not as scary as it sounds.

If I could give any advice to a freshman girl about IU rush, I would say do not worry so much. Be yourself. SMILE. Show the girls that you are here because you want to share a sisterhood, be philanthropic, make new friends,

Bid night!!

and most of all, find a part of yourself that you didn't know you had. The leader in you, or the kind friend in you, the girl who all her friends come to when they're upset, or the girl who is able to raise over $1,000 for Riley Children's Hospital for Dance Marathon. Maybe in high school you were the girl who was a varsity athlete or maybe the girl who hated sports but was a phenomenal student or artist or volunteer. Whatever it may be, those personal qualities are the things that you want to shine during rush, and trust me, they will be noticed if you let them.

Like I said, be yourself, relax, and have fun with it. Get excited because you are about to witness 21 different organizations that are filled with unique personalities and lifelong friendships. It is so true that you will see some trait in at least one sorority that reflects your own personality and if it's meant to be, you will call that house home soon enough.

With that said, get excited because RUSH IS 3 DAYS AWAY!!

Good luck with recruitment ;)

xx, Maddy