We memorized everything, right down to initiation. I don't think anyone does that anymore.
We made a push while I was a collegian to do things from memory - new member ceremonies, initiation, preference - I'm really not sure if they do it now but it was nice while it lasted - people actually understood what things meant!
My chapter always did little notebooks (black and gold since its Theta) and several different sisters write short notes to the pnm, either saying how great they are and how they think they would fit in with us or even just saying what Theta means to them. Then at pref they got to read their books but had to hand them back when they left but we gave them back to the girls who joined on bid day.