What Can a Fraternity BIG Do for You?
This semester I am proud to say that in my freshman year of college I hold the unique experience of pledging for a fraternity and having the time of my life. Pledging for a fraternity to gain entry into a privileged group of people and organization is something that takes a lot of time, effort and money. The process can be very strenuous and times and that is why the fraternity provides you with a Big brother or sister called your BIG. This Big Brother or Sister that you are provided with becomes one of your best friends in the fraternity.
As a pledge in the fraternity you are provided with your Big brother or sister midway through the process. Having a big brother or sister is a privilege and you must earn that privilege by first pledging for half the allocated time period to prove to the membership of that fraternity that you will stick through the process until the end and that you aren’t just wasting their time. The big brother or sister that you are provided acts as a mentor to you. They will be there for you whenever you need them any time of day or place.
The bond you share and develop with your big brother or sister is unlike anything you will or have ever experienced. Even if you have an older brother or sister in your real family, it isn’t the same.
In college you will see your Big Brother or Sister in the fraternity more than you see any of your own friends. You big brother or sister in the fraternity will stick up for you when your integrity or commitment is questioned by membership. If you have a big exam or must be somewhere instead of at a fraternity event your BIG will stick up for you and make sure that you need to study or attend that event.
You Big will bring you into their own fraternity family and their own Big that they have who will become your Grand Big. The torch of the family will then be passed on from pledge class and semester when you your self take on a little brother or sister in future semesters in college. Each family in the fraternity develop their own customs and traditions. For example, in my own family one tradition is to receive a shirt that has purple letters which has been passed on to each member of the family. The tradition behind that is that while the original colors are grey, white and black, a member of the fraternal family forgot the colors and used purple instead. That purple shirt has been handed down ever since.
Your Big will be there for more than just the pledging process. You will develop an even stronger friendship with them once you become an official member. The memories you share with them will last a lifetime and you will always remember to be in touch with each other even after you graduate from college
