Siblings connect on multiple levels: on one hand, they are examples to look up to and admire; on the other, they steal your clothes, annoy you to no end and refuse to share. Siblings are siblings, but we love them anyways. The transition from high school to college can be a challenging and exhilarating step for not only many students, but their siblings as well.
Freshman Lauren Stephens’ sister Caleigh will be attending the University of Chicago starting this fall. According to Lauren, she will miss not seeing her sister for months at a time until breaks arrive. Caleigh has taught Lauren a lot over the years, providing her with valuable lessons for life.
Lauren will still be able to cherish these valuable messages when her sister leaves.
“I think [the transition] will make us closer because when they are here you take them for granted, but when they’re gone you miss them and realize what they meant,” Lauren said.
Sophomore Olivia Raskin is experiencing the same transition with her brother Max, who will be attending UC Santa Cruz.
According to Olivia, she will miss watching television shows with Max, including Sherlock, Lost and Stranger Things. Aside from entertaining shows, Olivia will hold on to fond memories of them walking to various places together, playing in the same jazz band and seeing each other in the hallways at school.
Not only has Olivia been able to form a great bond with her brother, but she’s been able to look up to him as a role model.
“We’re both kind of naturally more quiet people, but he always gives me advice about how to be more confident,” Olivia said.
She hopes to stay in touch with Max over the course of his new journey, but knows that she won’t be entirely alone, as she has a younger sister to keep her company at home.
Junior Keaton Ferguson’s brother Aidan will be attending UC Davis. He reflects upon both the positive and negative aspects of his sibling leaving the house.
“I think there is going to be a lot more space in the house and also I think there is going to be less good food because my brother is really good at cooking,” Keaton said.
Aside from the lack of good food, Keaton will miss playing board games and card games with his brother the most, as they had done that for their entire lives together. He also will miss having Aidan around as not only a brother, but a friend.
Keaton quotes Aidan, “‘The best present my mom has ever given me is my brother.’”
Senior Kaitlyn Yang’s sister, Nicki, will be heading down the coast to study at UC Santa Barbara. According to Kaitlyn, she will miss Nicki’s enthusiastic presence.
“There is definitely going to be a lot less energy because she always has a ton of energy and is super loud,” Kaitlyn said.
Kaitlyn recalls times when Nicki helped her navigate her way through different environments.
“She’s taught me how to be more social. She’s the more social one out of the two of us, so I feel like following what she does in social situations has helped me a lot, in high school especially,” Kaitlyn said.
