The bond between siblings is undoubtedly one of the most special relationships you can have in your life. A sibling is a built-in best friend, and they will always be there for you. When siblings go to college, semi-empty nest syndrome, the feeling of loneliness and melancholy when a loved one leaves the household, is experienced by many. Some NDB students who have siblings away at college can say they have semi-empty nest syndrome.

Sophomore Lily Roche and her sister Kelly Roche, who graduated from NDB in 2025, have a strong relationship, even with Kelly away at college. Kelly is currently attending UC Davis, which is only a couple of hours away from home.

Lily commented on her sister being relatively close, sharing, “She comes home a lot on the weekends. So, [Kelly leaving for college] has honestly not been as bad as I thought it was going to be, because she’s home a lot more than other people.” With her sister being gone for a few months, Lily is still adjusting to the loneliness around the house, only having three people at the dinner table and not having someone to give her rides all the time.

As for Ashley Turek, who is currently a junior at NDB, both her brothers are away at college. Both Luke and Austin graduated from San Mateo High School just within the past few years. With one brother at Oregon State and the other at UC Riverside, Ashley doesn’t get to see them as often as she would like to.

Although siblings leaving home and being off at college may feel like a giant heartache, it only makes the next time you see them even more special.