The easiest part about my freshman year was having an older brother at St. Lawrence to guide me through the ups and downs that come along with beginning college. When I first stepped on the St. Lawrence campus as a first year student, I immediately felt comfortable. Although I did not know anyone in my grade, my brother had introduced me to his friends and team members who immediately welcomed me into the community. Despite the other first year students around me, who were feeling homesick and lonely at school, transitioning to college felt easy for me because part of my home was here at St. Lawrence, and I knew I had someone on campus who I could always rely on. Now, I know that I am not the only person to attend St. Lawrence following in the footsteps of an older sibling. In fact, two of my closest friends have siblings at St. Lawrence. Yet, no matter what grade your sibling is in, there is something to be said about how your St. Lawrence experience changes after your sibling graduates.
   It really has its pros and cons. For one thing, I feel a bit more lonely now that my brother has graduated. I have no one to call late at night to eat Sergi’s with me after I’ve had a bad day, and no one who I can always count on to have my back 100% of the time. I love all of my friends, but it will never feel the same as having a sibling who has watched you grow and change your entire life. Even driving home for fall break will be lonely this year. Tim and I used to have a throwback playlist of boy bands from the 90s that we used to belt out on every drive home, and there is no way in hell that I am doing that alone this year. However, with that being said, I do find that being at SLU without a sibling has also given me a new found independence. Although my brother and I have always been very different, I feel as though I’m no longer living in his shadow. People know me as Lizzy, not as Tim’s little sister. I can make my own choices at school, without having to worry whether my brother will care or not. I can make my own friends and do all of the things that I like to do without having to rely on someone else.  I can dance at the Tick Tock as crazy as I want without getting that “what are you doing” look from my brother across the room. I can truly be myself.
   So, in conclusion, It’s really hard to watch your sibling leave St. Lawrence and go out into the real world. However, at the same time, you also have the chance to make your own SLU experience and do things differently than they did. Make the best of all the time you have with them, but never forget to do your own thing knowing your brother or sister has set the best example for you!