From Oldest to Youngest

I am the oldest in my family.  I have two younger sisters, but I've always wondered what it's like to have a big brother or sister.  Being the oldest means you're always the "ground breaker" for new things, like college for example.  My sisters get the benefit of being able to experience the college process through me before they have to go  They have the advantage of learning from my experiences and mistakes.  Oftentimes, I wonder what that's like.  I always liked the idea of having someone close to my age I could ask for advise and who would look out for me. I'm usually the one people look up to and ask for help.  Don't get me wrong, I don't resent being the oldest.  On the contrary, I believe my personality has been shaped by being the eldest.  Being a big sister has taught me to be responsible and mature, and I am very thankful for these traits.  I wouldn't change being the oldest for anything, but having an older sibling has always been something I've been curious about.

My sisters and I always had the same friends growing up, which means I grew accustomed to being the oldest in the group.  Even among our friends, I felt like the "big sister," but now in college, that is all changing.  The moment I stepped on the campus as an incoming freshman, I no longer had that "big sister" feeling.  Now I am the youngest.  It has actually been a little disorientating ; I've had to adjust to being the one asking for help rather than giving it, but has also been fun for me.  One of the reasons I love TLU is that everyone is so friendly and helpful.  I know that sounds like something someone would make up to put on a brochure, but it's true!  The upperclassmen have all been so welcoming and supportive, almost like big brothers and sisters.  I already feel like I've been adopted by several upperclassmen as their little sister.  It feels really good to have a peer who is going through the same things I'm going through that I can rely on for tips and suggestions I wouldn't have known without them.  It makes me feel more confident when I have someone there looking out for me.

I've already made it a future goal to "adopt a freshmen" when I become an upperclassmen.  Maybe that's why TLU continues to be so friendly: one person helps out another and then that person helps someone else, paying forward every good deed.  I'm looking forward to the day I can carry out that unspoken tradition, and make someone else feel as welcomed and cared about as I have been.