How to be the Best Big Sister

One of the most important aspects in a sorority is the relationships you develop with your fellow sisters and one of the most vital ones is the big/little relationship. Gaining a little is an extremely rewarding experience that you should be excited about. However, it is also a new and unique relationship that can be difficult to navigate. We listed a few helpful tips to help you and your little have the best relationship possible and ensure they have the necessary foundation when entering their new sorority.

 

Back to School Tips

It’s a new year so start establishing good habits so you have a successful, happy, and fun year. Here are some of your favorite back to school tips:

 

Understand How You Learn and Study

There are SO many factors that can make or break your study sessions so it’s important to recognize what works best for you. Here are a few factors to consider:

 

Learning Style: Audio or Visual?

Memory Retention Tactics: Rewriting Notes or Quizzing Yourself?

Ideal Location: Coffee Shop or Library?

People: With a Group or Alone?

Timeline: Shorter Study Sessions Everyday or Longer Study Sessions Everyday the Week Before?

 

It’s important to note that your answers to these questions may vary depending on if the upcoming task is a test, project, or presentation. It may also vary between different courses entirely or even specific course content or units. You also may find that you work well with both options, or even neither. Any answer is totally fine, it’s just important that you recognize the factors that will lead you to success.

 

Build a Genuine Connection

As a big, you are most likely your little’s closest relationship with an established member of the sorority. You will be seen as a friend, peer, and role model so it’s so important to establish a genuine connection. You can do so by getting to know her interests, goals, and aspirations and showing that you genuinely care about her well-being and growth.

Make plans to grab dinner together, invite her over for wine, go shopping, anything! Plan an outing with plenty of time to chat that will allow you both to bond and get to know each other.

 

Foster a Welcoming Environment

Remember how nerve wracking it was when you first joined your sorority: walking into the first dinner, attending your first chapter, meeting everyone (including the older members) the first night out. It can be so stressful so make sure they feel welcomed and that everyone is excited that they are there.

 

Make sure you invite them to events where they can interact with fellow sisters. This will help them ease into their new environment, fostering a sense of comfort, and ultimately motivating them to become part of the sisterhood, knowing they'll encounter familiar and friendly faces.

 

Be Approachable and Share your Experiences

Building on the previous two tips, establish a caring relationship and safe environment for her. Let her know that she can come to you with any questions, concerns, or just to chat. Answer any questions she has and share your own experiences, both positive and challenging, as a sorority sister. This can help her feel more connected and prepared for her own journey. Additionally, recognize that it can not only be difficult and overwhelming to think of every question she should ask, but that she also doesn’t know what she doesn’t know about. Prior to chatting, make note of important information that she should know about.  

 

This can include:

  • How to Make the Most of their Sorority Experience

  • Rules and Expectations of the Sorority (including unspoken rules!)

  • Typical Schedule for each Day, Week, and Month, for example:

    • Daily: “Breakfast is served from 8 - 9 am, lunch is served from 11 - 1 pm, and dinner is served from 5 - 6 pm Monday through Friday. A lot of girls eat lunch and dinner together”

    • Weekly: “Chapter is every Monday night from 5 - 6 pm, our social events each week typically follow this schedule, and every Sunday night we get together and watch a movie around 9 pm in the living room!”

    • Monthly: “In September we typically have an invite and this philanthropy event. In October …”

     

  • Offer insights on time management and balancing academics with sorority commitments

Be Approachable and Share your Experiences

Building on the previous two tips, establish a caring relationship and safe environment for her. Let her know that she can come to you with any questions, concerns, or just to chat. Answer any questions she has and share your own experiences, both positive and challenging, as a sorority sister. This can help her feel more connected and prepared for her own journey. Additionally, recognize that it can not only be difficult and overwhelming to think of every question she should ask, but that she also doesn’t know what she doesn’t know about. Prior to chatting, make note of important information that she should know about.  

 

This can include:

  • How to Make the Most of their Sorority Experience

  • Rules and Expectations of the Sorority (including unspoken rules!)

  • Typical Schedule for each Day, Week, and Month, for example:

    • Daily: “Breakfast is served from 8 - 9 am, lunch is served from 11 - 1 pm, and dinner is served from 5 - 6 pm Monday through Friday. A lot of girls eat lunch and dinner together”

    • Weekly: “Chapter is every Monday night from 5 - 6 pm, our social events each week typically follow this schedule, and every Sunday night we get together and watch a movie around 9 pm in the living room!”

    • Monthly: “In September we typically have an invite and this philanthropy event. In October …”

     

  • Offer insights on time management and balancing academics with sorority commitments

Stay Healthy!!

SO important! Make sure that you are combatting the added stress of studying and preparing by getting enough sleep, eating well and enough, drinking water, and taking necessary breaks. This will look different for everyone so recognize what you need to make sure to make it a priority.

 

Take Care of Yourself!!

Building on the previous point, go beyond ensuring that you are maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but make sure that you are taking better care for yourself, both mentally and physically, in response to the added stress. If you are adding stress to your life, make sure you are adding as much, if not more, care as well.

 

Some of our favorite ways to take care of ourselves include:

  • Wearing clothes that make you feel good! This can be different for everyone. Some prefer to wear loungewear for maximum comfort while others prefer to wear a cute outfit for added confidence. We love both ways so figure out what you prefer and rock it!

  • Take an everything shower! Go above maintaining personal hygiene by taking a long shower where you really focus on caring for your body. Whether this includes lighting candles for the ambiance, using your favorite body wash that smells like roses, or using 10 different hair masks, make sure you feel pampered and as stress-free as possible!

  • Cook your favourite meals! Fuel your body and mind by preparing your favouritedinners as a way to unwind and treat yourself after a long day of studying.

 

Celebrate Achievements

Celebrate your little’s achievements, both within the sorority and outside of it. Whether it's academic success, personal accomplishments, or milestones, acknowledge and support her.

 

You can do anything from a quick text message or hug to baking her a cake or sending her a gift. Find ways to make her feel special, loved, and celebrated!

 

Treat Yourself!

Make sure to treat yourself after you take that test, present your project, or submit your paper. You deserve to reward yourself after all of your hard work. Here are some ideas on how:

 

  • Order your favorite dessert

  • Hang out with your friends and just unwind

  • Retail Therapy (We’ve heard Hello Molly works wonders!)

  • Take a night in! Put on pajamas and rot in bed with a movie and a snack

 

 

Set a Positive Example

As a big sister, you are a role model for your little sister and other members. Demonstrate the values and principles of your sorority through your actions and behavior. Additionally, encourage involvement by attending as many events as possible, both sorority-driven and social events. This will also help her explore different opportunities that align with her interests.

 

Beyond demonstrating positive behavior and attending various events, find ways to go above and beyond. Rather than just being a kind person, go out of your way to compliment your sisters. Rather than just attending events, go above and beyond by exhibiting a positive attitude about every event. Instill not just the correct behavior, but encourage positive behavior.

 

HELLO STUDENTS
All things Homecoming, Sororities & Advice.

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HELLO STUDENTS
All things Homecoming, Sororities & Advice.

READ NOW