A New Beginning

By Laura S., Big Sister, University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2008

One of the many, many, reasons that I am sad to be graduating this spring is that I will no longer be matched with my Little Sister, Brianna. I will be leaving Philadelphia for at least the next few years, and won’t even be able to switch our match from the School Based Program to the Community Based Program. I truly wish that I could continue our match for a variety of reasons, but a major one is that in the next few years, Brianna will be starting a new part of her life. She will be entering middle school soon, and with that come a lot of changes. Right now, her biggest concern is to not get knocked out in a game of four square. But that’s not going to last much longer. I feel that if I could stay matched with her during this time in her life, it would make her transition easier. Even with all kinds of changes happening to her, our match would be one of the few constant things. I know that we will exchange emails, and I will always be there for her if she needs anything, but our relationship will inevitably change. I’m pretty sure that she will request a new Big once I graduate, since we’ve both had such a good experience with Big Brothers Big Sisters - I just hope that her next match becomes as strong as ours.

Brianna is one of the sweetest and silliest girls that I have ever met. She is always so respectful to her peers and to me, but at the same time she is able to goof around and have a good time. I definitely do not want these parts of her personality to disappear. I know that when I was in middle school, I suddenly became very aware of what my classmates thought of me, and hid some of my own personality until I regained my confidence. Hopefully she won’t have this same experience. I just feel that if I was in Philadelphia for a few more years, I could help her with whatever challenges come her way. But I know that Brianna has a caring family and a good set of friends, so she is fortunate to have people around her who want her to succeed and who will definitely help her in the next few years.

Taking a Study Break

By Laura S., Big Sister, University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2008

One of the best parts about Big Brothers Big Sisters is that the program is so easy to fit into a college schedule, and yet each college student still has the opportunity to make a huge difference in the life of a child. Every student at Penn is busy. Whether it’s studying, playing a sport, attending a meeting or interviewing for a job, Penn students have something going on all the time. Sometimes we just need a break from the stress that comes with our hectic schedules. That’s why Big Brothers Big Sisters is so great! Yes, we are always running around campus, but a program that only requires a one hour a week time commitment can definitely fit into even the busiest schedule. And that one hour a week that you spend as a Big is one of the least stressful and most enjoyable times that you could possibly have. Being a Big is a chance to just let go and act like a kid again. You can spend that hour running around the playground, working on an art project, or playing a board game - all while laughing and joking around with a child.
I can honestly say that there have been days when I really needed to study for an upcoming exam, and I don’t feel like I can squeeze in my visit to see my Little sister. However, I make the time to go see her, knowing that if I don’t show up, she will be disappointed. Once I’m there though, I don’t doubt my decision at all. I always have so much fun with her that I forget about all the work that I have to do. And as I head home on the van, I feel I’m able to start studying, because I’m more relaxed and happier than I would have otherwise been.

The First Meeting

By Laura S., Big Sister, University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2008

This past week, I helped to introduce a Big and a Little to each other for the first time. Both the Big and Little were so excited and so nervous to meet each other, and I couldn’t help but remember that I felt the same way the first time that I met my Little, Brianna. I think that the first time you enter into any new situation you can’t help but to be scared of the unknown. No matter how excited you are about starting a new activity or situation, not knowing what to expect is extremely intimidating.

When I first went to CPA to meet Brianna, I had so many thoughts flying through my head. I was worried that Brianna would be really shy, and I wouldn’t be able to get her to talk. I was worried that Brianna wouldn’t like me, and we wouldn’t have anything in common. I was worried that it would be an awkward experience, and that I wouldn’t be able to develop a relationship with Brianna. I’ve learned though that these worries are completely natural. I was a twenty year old college student when I was matched to Brianna, and I hadn’t been around nine year olds in a long time. Although I was extremely nervous, I was so excited for the potential that our relationship could have. I really wanted to become friends with Brianna, make a difference in her life, and for her to make a difference in my life.

Looking back on that first day, I find it almost funny that I was so worried. Brianna is a wonderful girl, and over the past year, our relationship has developed into something wonderful. I should not have been intimidated by this new experience. Even though there are many years and experiences between us, I realize now that two people are almost guaranteed to have a great relationship if both of them want it. And we both definitely did. I am so happy that even though I was scared on that first day, I overcame my fears and tried something new that has proven time and time again to be one of the most fulfilling activities in which I have ever been involved.