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What it’s Like Living With Your Sister in College

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Tiana Walker Student Contributor, San Jose State University
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Shellise West Student Contributor, San Jose State University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at SJSU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

When people hear that I live with my sister they assume she’s my sorority sister. I sometimes don’t know what to say and other times I have to explain that she’s my sister, sister – like my actual sister.

A lot of people think it’s cool because for most, when you move away from home to go to school, you are breaking away from your family. You are in a different place with different people and everything is new.

Lucky for me, I got to hold on to that familiarity while also experiencing a brand new place!

My sister and I are not twins but we started school at the same time because she transferred when I started my freshman year. We did not live together for the first year, but come sophomore year, I had moved into an apartment with her.

If you and your sister are as close as I am with mine, then you know that in her you always have a friend. There’s always a person to keep you in check (aka, threaten to tell mom on you if you don’t shape up!)

Another bonus is that you don’t have to go through that awkward phase of meeting your new roommate. You already know each other and are probably used to each other’s annoying living habits meaning there are no surprises.

You two are comfortable with each other which has proven to be a positive and a negative. It’s good because you should feel comfortable in your home. However, it also means that you’re comfortable with leaving your clothes all over the place, and she’s okay with leaving her dishes out for two days. There’s no pressure of another roommate judging because who care what she thinks she’s your sister so she has to love you anyway, right?

Sometimes knowing each other so well means you have a lot more arguments than you would if you had a stranger or even a friend as a roommate. And although you two may have a few bad days, you always have far more good days together.

In her you always have a buddy to hang out with or someone who will go with you for your weekly (sometimes daily) trips to Target. She’s even someone who you can drag with you to that lame movie no one else wants to watch.

Let’s face it she gets on your nerves a lot of the time, but no roommate or friend can equal to her because she just gets you. She knows when you’re ready to leave the party or when you simply want to be left alone. You know she’ll run to the store for painkillers and cookie dough when you’re dying of cramps.

But most importantly she is always there for you, to motivate and to let you know when you’re making a completely bad decision. Even if she is complaining the whole time, you know she’ll be there to help clean up the mess you made just like you are there for her.

 

Tiana is a senior at San Jose State University and she is learning to take each day one step at a time while adjusting to life in the Bay Area. She's often watching YouTube videos on D.I.Y projects or hair care, but majority of the time she's watching Parks and Rec episodes while pretending to do homework. In the midst of all that homework dodging she's also casually planning her dream wedding. 
Shellise West is the current campus correspondent at San Jose State University. Majoring in journalism with a minor in radio, television and film she plans to not fall short of fulfilling her dream as a sports reporter. A Bay Area native her hobbies include singing, dancing and listening to music. Follow Shellise on Twitter @SoulfulPenned.