Protecting Your Peace In Recruitment: How To Prioritize Mental Health Within Your Recruitment Role

We spend so much time before recruitment preparing what we’re going to wear and what we’re going to say, that we forget to prepare our minds for this intense, emotional experience. 

After going through recruitment as a PNM and a recruiter — and now preparing to go through it as a Panhellenic leader — I’ve seen the toll it can take on everyone’s mental health. But it doesn’t have to. 

Recruitment presents challenges for everyone involved, but there are ways we can all protect our peace and minimize the mental strain. By starting the conversation about mental health before recruitment begins, we can help prevent burnout before it happens.

PNMs, chances are you are on your own for the first time in a new place.

Not only are you trying to talk to recruiters and put your best foot forward with them, you are also trying to build friendships with the other PNMs. Having to make selections when every chapter is so welcoming and feels like home can cause a lot of doubts. You are running on little sleep, emotionally drained, and homesick.

• Prioritize sleep - You might want to stay up late catching up on screen time, but you won’t be able to put your best foot forward in conversations if you are tired.

• Fuel your body - Don’t skip meals just because you think you don’t have time — your energy matters. Stay hydrated, especially in the summer heat, and bring snacks in your bag just in case.

• Call your friends and family - You might be too tired to talk, but even a quick check-in on your walk back to your dorm can help ease homesickness and keep you grounded.

• Communicate with your recruitment counselors - Your RCs are there to help you, but they can’t read your mind. If something feels off or overwhelming, tell them — they’ve been through it and want to support you.

• Avoid comparisons - Comparison is the thief of joy. Avoid talking with others about which chapters you’re visiting, and don’t stress over who got invited where. Everyone’s path is different — stay focused on yours.

• Trust the process - If you don’t get a chapter back, remember: everything happens for a reason. The chapters you are going to deserve a fresh perspective — look for the good, and stay open to where you’re meant to be.

Recruiting is draining — and for many, it’s even more challenging than being a PNM.

Long before recruitment officially begins, you're already waking up early for work week, spending long hours practicing door chants, polishing conversations, and preparing to present your chapter in the best light. 

The pressure doesn’t stop there. Social media can amplify insecurities, making you question whether you look the part or say the right things. You’re expected to be confident, warm, and persuasive — and when a PNM doesn’t choose your chapter, it’s hard not to internalize it. You wonder what you did wrong, even if it had nothing to do with you at all.

• Don’t get caught up in the social media of it all - Not everyone loves being on camera — and that’s okay. Refer back to our Curating Recruitment Ready Content guide if you're looking for low-pressure ways to show up on social media.

• Stop scrolling - After being off your phone all day, it’s tempting to stay up late catching up — watching what your hometown friends are doing, checking other sororities’ posts, or stalking the PNMs you loved. Don’t do it. Protect your peace and rest your mind.

• Give yourself grace - We don’t expect perfection from PNMs — so why do we expect it from ourselves? If you’re struggling to balance what your chapter wants you to say with what feels genuine, revisit our Remaining Authentic During Recruitment resource.

• Listen to your body - Recruitment is physically demanding — long hours, lots of standing, nonstop energy. Make sure you're eating enough, staying hydrated, and taking any medications you need. If you’re not feeling well, communicate with your VP of Recruitment. You can’t pour from an empty cup.

• Don’t take it personally - It’s hard not to feel disappointed when a PNM you connected with doesn’t return. But there are so many reasons behind her decision beyond the conversation between the two of you. Her choice isn’t a reflection of your worth.

If you’re giving your team your all, leadership during recruitment can feel heavy. 

You carry the emotions of everyone you serve — your chapter, the PNMs, your team, and the community. You’re the one people come to when something goes wrong, when someone’s upset, or when decisions need to be made on the spot. 

You might struggle with balancing being a good friend and being a good leader — especially when it comes to enforcing expectations or setting boundaries with people you care about. It’s hard to feel like the “bad guy,” even when you're doing the right thing.

You’re constantly making calls that matter, and it’s normal to start doubting yourself — questioning whether you're doing the right thing or if people are even noticing the work you're putting in.

Unlike most people, your job doesn’t start when you walk through the doors of the sorority house or end when the last PNM leaves. You’re thinking, planning, and problem-solving before, during, and long after rounds end.

• You are not alone - Let the people around you support you. Lean on your advisors, and delegate to your team — they want to help.

• Separate yourself from the emotions - It’s natural to feel empathy for your community, but you can’t carry everyone’s emotions on your back. If something is outside your control, let it go — for your own peace of mind.

• Set boundaries - Decide when your day ends — and honor it. Staying up all night to tweak plans won’t help your team if you’re exhausted and running on fumes the next day.

• Let yourself feel proud - You are doing something incredible — guiding your community and helping PNMs find their homes. Even if no one says it out loud, your work matters and you need to tell yourself that.

  
  

Recruitment is an incredibly meaningful and often life-changing process — but for many sorority women, it can also be one of the most stressful weeks of the year. Whether you’re a PNM navigating being away from home, a recruiter worrying about your rush crush, or a leader trying to keep everyone happy, your challenges are real and your feelings are valid. 

Take care of your mind and body. Give yourself grace and lean on the people around you. Recruitment might only last for a couple of weeks, but how you show up can set the pace for your college experience. We can't show up as our best selves if we are burnt out and not taking care of our minds.