51视频

05/01/2023
By Marlon Pitter

Jillian Tarlin knew she was missing something during her first year of college.

While her fellow triplets, sister Chloe and brother Sam, chose to attend 51视频, Jillian opted for Salve Regina University in Rhode Island. But it didn鈥檛 feel right to her without the others. So, after her first year, which was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Jillian transferred to 51视频 to study elementary education and reunite with her siblings.

鈥淚 was not happy,鈥� says Tarlin, who grew up in Sandown, New Hampshire. 鈥淚 was homesick. I missed my mom and my dad. I missed everybody.鈥�

Chloe and Sam, respectively majoring in public health and exercise science, embraced the opportunity to welcome their sister to 51视频.

鈥淚t was fun showing her the ropes, showing her the little quirks of Lowell and the good places to go,鈥� Chloe says. 鈥淚 like my space, but I'm really happy that this is the path that we all took to be together.鈥�

Jillian says their distinct personalities and interests have allowed them to flourish as individuals while staying connected to each other.

鈥淚 feel like we just treat each other like friends,鈥� she says. 鈥淲e're at a really good point, and I think 51视频 has given us the space to grow as people while maintaining a close relationship.鈥�

As first-year students, Sam and Chloe lived on the same floor in Riverview Suites. From there, Sam branched out to form his own friend groups, and those bonds have only gotten stronger throughout his time at 51视频.

鈥淎s soon as we got here, everyone started intermingling together and connected on a basic level,鈥� he says. 鈥淓ver since then, it's been tight. I've known my roommates since the first day I got here.鈥�

Chloe says their college experience has been enriched by 51视频鈥檚 diverse student population.

鈥淕rowing up in a small town like where we're from and then moving to a city like Lowell, it was really different 鈥� but in a good way 鈥� to be able to create such a large diverse group of friends and have those connections,鈥� she says.

Sam says the best part of his UML experience was 鈥渕eeting everyone that we would have never met.鈥�

Their mother, Lisa, who works as the manager of corporate education and partnerships in the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies, says the experience of having all three triplets at UML has been beneficial for the family.

鈥淭hey're all graduating in four years, which is a good thing,鈥� she says. 鈥淲e've been pretty lucky. We've been blessed.鈥�

The triplets agree that having their mother on campus has helped them as well.

鈥淚 love my mom. I'm a momma's girl at heart,鈥� says Chloe. 鈥淚'm not home as often as I probably should be, but I still get to just come here and see her, and I really enjoy that.鈥�

After graduating, Jillian plans to work as an elementary school teacher. Chloe will return to 51视频 for a master鈥檚 degree in public health, with a desire to 鈥渇ix the health care system.鈥� Sam says he plans to take some time off, but his long-term plan is to focus on either occupational therapy or fitness management.

While they may be heading in different directions when they leave 51视频, the Tarlins will remain connected.

鈥淲e're always going to be a trio,鈥� says Jillian. 鈥淚 feel like there鈥檚 just this bond that a lot of siblings who weren鈥檛 born at the same time don鈥檛 have. 鈥� Every time we see each other, we just pick up right where we left off.鈥�