They took their first breaths together when they were brought into this world. Took their first steps together when they began to walk. For them, their first scary adventure of going to kindergarten was conquered side by side or hand in hand. Now, they will be taking their first steps on the road to college, but this time, separately.

Seniors Tasnim and Taniza Haq are one of the many sets of twins parting ways for college. Tasnim is attending Mizzou for pre-med and her sister is attending UMSL for engineering. For Tasnim, change will be an adjustment.

“It’s going to be ridiculously different going to other schools,” Tasnim said. “College will feel empty without her. I can’t even imagine how things are going to be when we are apart because I depend on her for a lot of things. She’s good at keeping me in line with time and is helpful with school work.”

Taniza isn’t as concerned about leaving her sister for college, as she sees it as part of the growth process.

“Everyone needs to separate,” Taniza said. “It will make us closer and we will develop new ideas about each other, which will also help us to appreciate one another.”

Seniors Kevin and Scott Schaefer also are going to separate colleges. Born only three minute apart, college will separate them with a much wider time gap, 1,021 minutes.  Scott will attend the University of Colorado and is planning to major in business finance. Kevin is attending Indiana University to major in business.

“It will be weird not being known as the other Schaefer twin,” Scott said. “I feel like I can make an even stronger identity. There will only be one of me walking around campus, so I’ll feel more unique.”

Seniors Ricky and Peter Gutberlet will break away for college as Ricky will attend Ole Miss University, located in Mississippi, and Peter will set out to Mizzou. Ricky said he will either major or minor in graphic design and business. Peter is planning to major in mechanical engineering.

Ricky said going to college without his brother will bring forth a fresh start.

“I’m not going to have an automatic friend like I had in high school with my brother, who gets me better than anyone else. I’m going to have to walk my journey to college alone,” Ricky said.” I will find out more about myself through the process.”

Peter said just because he is going away from his best friend, doesn’t change the fact that they will still communicate and see one another as often as possible.

“I’m going to miss him, but I’ll still visit him a lot,” Peter said. “I won’t have him to lean on all the time when I need him, but we’ll still remain close and keep in contact.”

Ricky sees the change in a positive light.

“When we visit one another, we will get to experience both of the campuses,” Ricky said.

Seniors Jamie and Jordan Fendelman are looking forward to traveling separate paths for college. Jamie will be attending Lindenwood University and is planning to major in psychology.

“I am very independent and have always done everything on my own,” Jamie said. “I have taught myself everything on my own, so I don’t have any fear of separation.”

Jordan said he planned on going apart from his sister for college.

“I’m looking forward to not being compared to someone else and doing my own thing,” Jordan said.

For the senior twins, parting ways for college will bring forth and exciting adventure.