If your newsfeed is anything like mine, the past two weeks have been an overflow of statuses about how much people love their Littles, pictures of gifts and posters, and wall posts between new members anxiously counting down the days until their Big is “revealed” to them. Other than Bid Day and Initiation into their house, for many new members getting a Big is the best part of the new member period. And for older sisters, getting a Little is something they’ve been looking forward to since the end of their first year in a sorority.
A Big’s “job”, essentially, is to take a new member under her wing and integrate the Little into the sorority—although many Bigs feel that their role means much more than that.
Here’s what being a Big and “reveal” mean to some sophomores who are anxiously awaiting their first Little:
“To me Big/Little reveal is about finding someone you can depend on, whether it’s for guidance, friendship, or a role model. It’s one of the few times in life, when you’re given a bond that promises you’ll take care of each other.” –Sami Davies, Kappa Kappa Gamma
“For the first time, I realized that it is my responsibility to be the best I can be, not only for myself, but for my Little. I am her mentor in Tri-Delta, and college in general. It is my role as Big to make her feel at home in our sorority and our campus. For the next three years, I am her example to model and support system to depend on. I’m not only her friend, but her big sister.” –Elana Goldberg, Delta Delta Delta
“The actual reveal is filled with so much surprise and happiness—new members find their families in the house and really start to get integrated into the most meaningful bonds and traditions that the house has to offer. I’m the most excited to be a big because it gives me a chance to give my little everything that my sorority has given me. It’ll give me someone to be a role model for, but most importantly a friend who knows that she can always come to me, for anything she needs.” –Katie Cameron, Delta Gamma
To me personally, being a Big involves being there whenever my Little needs me, and giving her a family away from home. I think that’s what’s most interesting about Big/Little relationships, is that not only does it give you an even closer bond with one of your sisters, but it also gives you a real sense of family full of support, loyalty, and love for one another.
While my family right now is fairly small (just myself and my Big—until my Little joins our family at reveal, that is!), many Bigs can welcome their Littles into a giant group of people, complete with twins, “aunts” (their Big’s twin), Big-Bigs, cousins, and so on. It’s an incredible feeling to know that now, in addition to all the support you can find from your sisters, you have a Big Sister who is constantly looking out for you and has your best interests at heart.
For those who aren’t involved in Greek Life, a relationship like this can be found in various other places such as mentoring and volunteer programs (if you want to be a role model to someone) or with an upperclassman or even advisor if you’re looking for guidance. Sports teams, in many cases, have something similar to a Big/Little relationship: Wendy Liu says that on the swim team, new team members are given older “swim buddies” who make posters and treats for them before big meets. “The idea is that the younger swimmers have someone to reach out to if they need it.”
Whether it be through Greek Life, sports, your major, or another organization on campus, a relationship like this is a major advantage for any student to have. The core of a Big/Little relationship (spoiling and titles aside) is to give someone younger the support that they need, whether that be in academics, athletics, or just to be there when CMU takes its toll on us.
Only a few more days until reveal!