Older sibling eases freshman’s transition into high school

Freshmen students’ first days of high school are often fraught with anxiety and apprehension as they do not know what to expect of their classes, teachers or fellow students. Freshman Rachel Hull, however, has an edge over her peers: her older sister, senior Sarah Hull, has already told her everything she needs to know about high school.

“Because of my sister, I knew exactly what to expect on the first day,” Hull said. “I already had painted a picture of high school in my mind, so it wasn’t as much of a shock for me as it was for some of the other students.”

Having an older sibling who has already experienced what high school has to offer can greatly benefit the younger sibling and make the transition from middle school to high school much smoother.

“[The transition] was definitely easier because I had already seen her go through high school for three years before it was my turn,” Hull said.

An older sibling can also offer useful tips and general knowledge about classes, teachers, the layout of the school and anything else that may cause concern.

“My sister has given so much helpful advice. She’s told me where good places in the quad to eat lunch are, when to use my locker, what school supplies to buy and so much more,” Hull said. “Even though it’s up to me to make my own choices, keeping my sister’s advice in mind always comes in handy.”

She added that her sister also assisted her when the time came to choose her classes.

“She knows that I love writing, so she suggested that I sign up for Journalism 1,” Hull said. “This year, coincidentally, I’m taking all the same classes as my sister did her freshman year, but she assured me that starting on this academic path in my first year at high school will help in the long run.”

Taking similar classes occasionally presents problems since it can be difficult to escape the shadow of an older sibling.

“I feel like I’m constantly being compared to her,” Hull said. “Sometimes I feel as though my teachers like me simply because they liked her, and not because they like me for me.”

This phenomenon makes it essential for younger siblings to distinguish themselves and create their own niche within the school.

“I want to set myself apart somehow from my sister so that I can’t be compared to her in every aspect,” Hull said. “Unlike my sister, who is a cheerleader, I’ve joined the field hockey team this year.”

Despite these obstacles, Hull ultimately believes that it is incredibly beneficial to have an older sibling on campus.

“Having a sibling at the same school as me is like having a net below me while I walk a tight rope,” Hull said. “If anything goes wrong, I always know she’ll be there to back me up. That’s really what being a sibling is all about, and I’m so glad that this year we finally get to be in the same school.”