by: Olivia Kerper
What is a Sorority Little?
One of my favorite traditions as a sorority woman is Big and Little sisters. In Greek life, every sister is assigned a Big Sister, or a “big”, as a mentor and more experienced sister to guide them through college as a sorority woman.
Traditionally, a big and little will be paired based on a mutual ranking system, in which both women show interest in being paired together.
The big has the opportunity to take more than one little if she feels like she is able to take on the challenge, both financially and time-management wise.
I decided to take twins because I felt like I had so much love in my heart for both of the girls that I took as my littles, and I made the decision to be able to provide for them in relationships and give them both an equal amount of time.
Recruitment & Meeting Potential Littles
Before and during recruitment are the perfect times to be on the hunt for a potential little. We are always told that rush is first about convincing the girls to Go Greek and eventually join our chapter, and afterwards is the time to start creating bonds with the younger girls in hopes of finding that big-little connection.
I met one of my littles before recruitment. We actually went on a PNM (Potential New Member) date, which is where we meet up and hang out prior to rush starting to see if we have anything in common and answer any questions about Greek life and what to expect from rushing. We immediately connected and I knew I wanted to share my sisterhood with her, but it was important not to get too attached in case she joined a different sisterhood. It was after she became a New Member that I was able to establish that bond with her as an older sister.
I actually met my other little during one of the recruitment parties. We hit it off and she was incredibly sweet, but again, you are encouraged not to get too attached until after you’ve recruited your new members.
After the new member class is established and recruitment is over, big little festivities officially begin. We had set “mixers” for potential littles and bigs to meet and get to know each other, and my other little and I solidified our relationship after I reached out to her to get coffee! There will be plenty of opportunities for you to meet your future big/little, but don’t ever be afraid to reach out to someone and hang out so you know it’ll be a good match.
Crafting
One of the reasons I was most excited to take littles is because I looove to craft!
I had been searching through Pinterest ever since I was a freshman and working on canvases and clipboards for my potential littles.
Now, every sorority is different in which materials you are required to provide for your little(s). For my chapter, we had to get an embroidered pillow, a clipboard, raised letters, wooden letters, and a few other things for ritual. It is important that you get a list from the sister in charge so you are able to provide everything that is necessary for your baskets.
My sorority had a special week leading up to Big Little Reveal where we would give gifts to our littles, but we also had a week leading up to Initiation where we were required to give baskets.
Make sure you know what is required of you before you sign up to take a little, so you don’t feel overwhelmed by all of the necessities! Other than that, it can be extremely fun to spoil your little sister!
Baskets
These are the baskets leading up to initiation that I was talking about. My sorority had smaller baskets in the days leading up to initiation, but once the sisters were actually initiated, they got the BIG basket! (See below!!)
I filled my littles’ final baskets with plenty of tshirts, candy, canvases that I painted, notes, fake plants, bracelets, and more!
You might be asking yourself how on earth someone can afford all of this, and the answer is, you don’t have to!! My most important tip for taking a sorority little is to ask older sisters, like your big, g-big, etc to pass down some tshirts or provide a few canvases to make it easier on you!
My g-big gave me a huge stack of tshirts that really helped me out in filling up the basket. Trust me, I’m sure sisters have shirts lying around that they haven’t touched since freshman year! They’d be more than happy to help.
To Buy or Not to Buy?
Some things that we are required to provide as bigs simply cannot be made or crafted. For me, that was my embroidered pillows and raised letter shirts. Of course, you can cut out fabric and sew it on yourself, but that just wasn’t realistic for me.
Make sure to be organized and make a list of things you absolutely need to spend money on, and other things you don’t have to stress over financially and get creative with!
Big Little Reveal
For my family, we picked a theme based on the shirts I selected. I was responsible for buying the shirt for me and my two littles, and my Big and G-Big reimbursed me. Be vocal with your family and see if you can make other arrangements if necessary.
I would highly recommend checking Pinterest for “big little reveal ideas”, “big little reveal outfits”, etc. Make it fun and don’t hold back!
Making the Most of Your Sorority Experience
Being a Big is so much more than spending money on your sisters. For me, it is having people to lean on when the sorority experience gets overwhelming or college becomes frustrating. It’s all about having people to go through life with.
There will come a point in everyone’s sorority experience when you consider whether or not you made the right decision in choosing your chapter, but I guarantee, the people you surround yourself with will remind you why you made the best decision of your life.
Taking littles has made my sorority experience infinitely better, and I would highly recommend it!!
Be sure to check out my Pinterest for more inspiration on Sorority Recruitment and Little Crafts:
wanderlustingliv 