I’m one of those lucky people that not only has an older sibling, but also has one that I can tell anything. We’re so close, we can talk about everything.
But here’s the thing: as I got older, my sister started treating me differently. When she got into high school, there was a distance between us – she was a high schooler and I was a mere middle school student. But when I was a freshman, and she was a senior, the gap closed considerably – I was adult enough for her to tell me things that she would never dare to say when I was younger. The gap grew again when she got into college. She still told me things she never told our parents about her life in college, but there was still a separation.
I’m lucky despite all of that. Now, my sister and I are closer than ever, and though I know I was often the cliché annoying little sister, we’ve stuck together. She’s the first person I would tell about a new boy, a funny story, or a bad day. She’s the second person in my duets, she’s the Elsa to my Anna, she makes “Call Me Maybe” videos with me, and she’s the only person I trust enough to read my new, unedited poetry. We’re a goofy duo, my sister and I, but we also know when to be serious.
This seriousness in our relationship comforted me when my sister sent me a funny, yet deep email about my freshman year in college. In the words of my sister, “there is no magic piece of advice to make everything perfect and easy … but it’s what makes the next four years so exciting.”
This email she sent me – this read and re-read email I keep flagged in my inbox – was full of good information, and more than that, it closed the gap between us. It revealed truths about college you only ever see in TV shows and movies and then some. I’m going to reiterate some of the advice she gave me. If you’re like me, you’ll find it useful whether you know it or not.
- “College is all about discovering who you are and who you want to be. If that means that you enter college as an English major and leave with a major in Biology with an acceptance to med school, that’s great.” This advice has stuck with me throughout this first semester, as I find my footing in my classes and find passionate professors and my own passion.
- “Always surround yourself with good people.” I went to a small high school, where you were friends with everyone. There wasn’t an option to avoid someone without trying really hard, and sometimes, a friendship became toxic and was hard to get away from. In college, though, even at a small school like Kenyon, it is easier to get away from someone who may be poisoning your life.
- “You do you.” This advice was given in the section of her email talking about parties, boys, and relationships in general. However, outside of the obvious (find your limits, don’t go too crazy) this advice is easy to apply to everything. In college, you have freedom to take classes that will help you find your passion and it doesn’t matter if it’s something completely opposite than what you thought you wanted. If you originally wanted to be a teacher, but then decided to be an archaeologist, that’s okay. Don’t worry about it. You do you.
So whether you’re in your second to last semester here, or you’re still finding a foothold and getting settled, my sister’s advice can apply to you. And here’s a last piece of sisterly advice to leave you all with: “You’re a rockstar, don’t let anyone ever tell you any different.”