Freshman year of college can be scary. On top of that, going through sorority recruitment as a college freshman may seem even scarier. Signing up for registration and searching for the perfect outfit when going through the process might appear to be daunting at first look. However, as I reflect back on my recruitment experience as a Potential New Member from almost two years ago, I've come to both a significant and simple realization: I, among all women going through sorority recruitment, had received the greatest amount of encouragement and support from current sorority members as well as other Potential New Members. We were experiencing the same things together, which built for an incredible bond. I feel grateful to know I had such amazing women who had my back during such an uncertain time.

Before recruitment began, I was so worried about how I was supposed to act once I stepped foot into the first sorority house. Big smile? Check. Positive attitude? Check. School spirit? Check. I had marked off all the boxes, so I was going to be fine, right?

What I soon found out was that there were no "boxes" I needed to mark off. I just needed to be myself.

That was what all of the sororities were looking for. They want you to embrace who you are, including all of your unique qualities, and show them the true parts of you; what sets you apart from others, what you’re the most passionate about, and who you want to be. They want to find out the features and aspects that make up who you are, not who you think you should be.

When going through recruitment as Potential New Member during my freshman year, a common theme that came up was authenticity. We were encouraged to be our most authentic selves when talking with current sorority members. This idea developed as a worry for some of the women because they worried about whether or not sorority members would like their true personalities. However, we were reminded that every person and every chapter was different. We were going to find our place in the end, so it was important to remain open-minded throughout the process.

One question I distinctly remember being asked was the following: "Tell me something you haven't told anyone throughout this recruitment process. What do you like the most about yourself?"

This question hit me hard. 

As women, we oftentimes focus on the negative aspects of ourselves instead of the positive. We tend to bash ourselves for all of the things that we find "wrong" instead of complimenting ourselves for what shines the most about us: our lighthearted sense of humor, our kindness towards others, our love and passion for volunteering. Those are the things we deserve to brag about, because they make us who we are. 

So, when that specific question was asked, it set me back. That question allowed me to open up about the things that define my sense of self, what I am the proudest of. When I told the sorority member about my passion for involvement in extracurriculars and my experiences in high school, we got to talking about the similarities we shared – Student Council, school spirit, cross country, – and we found a common ground. The conversation flowed easily, and there was no pressure to try to be this "perfect" girl going through sorority recruitment. The perfect girl doesn't exist. But you exist, the girl reading this right now. And you are more than enough.

It warmed my heart to know that these women I aspired to become were really just like me.

After being asked that question about myself, I let my guard down. I was unapologetically real with the girls I talked to each day, and I felt so much better knowing that I could be relaxed around them because they wanted me to feel that way. As for the women preparing for recruitment in the fall, I encourage you to be real as well. It will take you so much farther than attempting to be someone you're not. Authenticity is not only value, but appreciated, and you will be nothing but successful by embracing yourself and your amazing attributes. There is nothing to worry about!