The best thing about joining a sorority is gaining the coveted Big/Little relationship. For Littles, she is automatically your BIGgest supporter, your mentor and, of course, your best friend. For the Bigs, your Little is your baby. She is the person you would kill for in a heartbeat if anyone hurt her and the person you will love unconditionally. For most people, the Big and Little relationship lasts far beyond the college days and gives true meaning to the saying "Not four years, but for life." Your Big/Little is your lifeline.
Unless she's not.
It happens in every sorority, in every school, all across the Greek world. There is always that Big and Little pairing that fails. The Little might have dropped, the Big might have not preffered the Little, or the two were just doomed from the beginning. Either way, an entire semester seems to revolve around the big drama between the two. But what if you are in that Big/Little pairing? What do you do?
1. Don't Freak Out
Though it may be hard to come to the realization that the failed Big/Little pairing involves you, try not to freak out. You and your Big/Little may be the center of gossip for a while, but just try to ignore it and focus on yourself. Even though it may be hard to not walk out on your family or even the sorority, try to wait it out and see if the problem dies away.
2. Try To Talk It Out
Depending on where your relationship is with your Big/Little, talking it out could be a good option to try to mend what you used to have. After all, the excitement from reveal was real, and it may be possible to salvage that again. However, there are some things that can't be salvaged. Unfortunately, there are just people out there who aren't nice or are hard to get along with. The best thing you can do is make an effort to fix things. That way, she can never say you didn't try. If things still don't work out, at least you did something to change it.
3. Accept What Happens
This can be the hardest or the easiest part. If step two works out and you and your Big/Little live happily ever after, accepting what happens can be super easy and things will be forgotten about by next chapter. If you are in the situation where things do not work out, this step could be a little harder. Hopefully, talking it out doesn't lead to full disowning from the family, and you are left Big/Little-less. Sometimes this is the case, though, and all you have to do is move on. For Bigs, recruitment will be around the corner again and taking another Little is always a possibility. For girls who are disowned by their Bigs, things could be a little more tricky, because you can't recruit someone who will be your Big. There is a lot of controversy with adopted Bigs in the Greek world, but sometimes you don't have a choice. After all, everyone needs a mentor when coming into a sorority.
Big/Little relationships should be something every member should look forward to, but sometimes it doesn't work out. The best thing you can do is accept what happened and move on without causing anymore bad blood (thank you, Taylor Swift). Besides, when one door closes, another door opens!
