Being a twin is a unique experience. You are born with an automatic best friend, someone who you can tell your inside jokes to, someone who can understand what you are going to say before you open your mouth. While being a twin is central to my identity and is part of who I am, it can be difficult. People stop trying to learn your name, using the convenient excuse, “Well, you’re a twin, I can’t tell you apart.” When it came time to apply to colleges, one decision that had to be made was whether or not my twin and I would attend the same college.
Junior year had finally arrived and we were more than excited to begin the college process. I wanted to be close to home and hoped that we would go to the same school. I had wanted to go to Trinity ever since I was 9 or 10, always saying to my dad, “I want to be just like you, I want to go to Trinity.” As the year progressed and countless college visits came to an end, we had to decide where we wanted to apply. In the end, we both fell in love with Trinity and I was convinced that going to the same school would be a fun experience for the both of us.
As my excitement over the summer began to turn into nervousness, it was nice to know I would not be alone. Having a lifelong best friend, I already had someone I could sit with at lunch and not have to worry about being "that freshman" awkwardly milling around campus. At least I had one friend and wouldn't be friendless my first month of school. As move in day finally came, my heart was beating out of control and my stomach was in knots. However, once I stepped on campus I knew that everything was going to be all right. Everything would work out.
While going to the same college as my twin sister has been a positive experience, I was determined to find my own voice and path. Throughout high school, we were usually together; whether we happened to have a similar class schedule or were on the athletic field together in the fall and spring, it was easy for us to follow the same path. Once I came to Trinity, my goal was to go outside my comfort zone. Try something new. Do things I would never have done in high school. Meet new people. Find my own voice. Be my own person. As a sophomore, I have started to distinguish myself apart from my sister. I started writing for The Odyssey and am a brand representative for Krass & Co. I am a political science major and am leaning towards a Middle Eastern studies minor. As I consider studying abroad next fall semester, my sister and I want to go to two completely different places. Although it will be different not having my sister with me, I think it would be a good experience develop our different interests and experiences.
Going to Trinity with my twin has been the best experience, and I feel that although we are starting to go our separate paths, the memories that we have been able to make with our group of friends and teammates are inexchangeable. I can't wait to see what life has in store and although life may lead us to different places, knowing that I have a best friend for life is surely one of the greatest blessings I could ever receive.
