College is and always will be a time consuming process. Whether it’s filling out applications, writing essays or moving out of the house, this next step in life requires a lot of attention and preparation. The main focus is on the soon-to-be freshman in college, and nobody stops to think about how this change affects their younger siblings. One day your sibling is just down the hallway, and the next, they are in a different part of the world, miles and miles away.
My older sister Faith recently left for college at Chapman University in Southern California. This was her dream school, and I am thrilled that she ended up with her first choice. However, my family and I have been struggling to adapt to this change. Our house feels unbalanced and empty without my sister. Normally, I could just walk down the hallway to her room and chat with her, but I can’t do that anymore. She is all the way in Orange County, on her own. Her absence feels strange, and it is hard to process that she isn’t in the house anymore. It hasn’t hit me yet that she is really in college.
I remember my sister starting college preparations during her junior year of high school, and before I knew it, she was actually leaving. My sister is my best friend, and now I feel like every little thing at home is a constant reminder that she is in college.
It’s difficult to see my parents sad too. At every dinner, I hear my mom make some sort of comment like, “I didn’t get a second piece of salmon because Faith’s not here.” Or, since my mom, brother and I are all vegetarian, my dad will mention that he lost his only other meat-eater in the house. Even my dogs know something is amiss. As for me, I miss everything about my sister. I miss the way she would cheer me on at sports games. I could always hear her voice above everyone else’s as she screamed, “Go Cadence!” Whenever I needed fashion advice, Faith knew just what to do. I miss being able to walk next door to my room and ask if she likes my outfit, or the way she would ask if I liked her outfits before she went out. I miss getting our nails done together. I miss being her number one photographer whenever she wanted photos taken. I have such a great relationship with my sister, and it hurts not to have her around anymore.
I have spent all 14 years of my life looking up to my incredible big sister. She was and always will be a role model to me. So, after having a built-in best friend for my whole life, I can’t seem to fathom the fact that she is in college. It’s crazy to think that she isn’t going to be around the corner when I need her.
During the college process, most people are hyper-focused on making sure everything works out. But, does anyone take a moment to put down the college applications and realize what’s really happening? Some people are so engrossed in preparing that they can forget how this process affects others as well. When a family member leaves for college, they are leaving behind so much more than their home. They are leaving behind their family.
