Three Suffolk sisters have headed off to university together to study the same subject.
Aneetta, Anjel and Aleena Shibu Matthew from Woodbridge have all begun their nursing studies at the University of Suffolk.
The women are not just sisters, however, but part of a group of quadruplets all starting university at the same time.
“Our mum is a nurse, that really influenced us,” said Aneetta.
Inspired by their mother, who works in the Oncology Department of Ipswich Hospital, the women decided that they would all apply for the Adult Nursing course.
Aneesha, the fourth of the quadruplets, decided to follow a slightly different path, deciding to study physiotherapy at the University of East Anglia in Norwich.
“I think it’s quite exciting. We were hoping all of us got in,” said Anjel.
Aleena added, “We were all pleased that we were able to go to the same university.”
The three students were offered unconditional places at the University of Suffolk which meant that results day was a little less stressful for the family.
The sisters say that it’s not always immediately obvious to people they meet that they are related because they are not identical. When their new friends do find out the girls are related they assume there are only three of them.
“No one knows we are sisters,” said Aneetta, “but we have the same surname.”
“People are calling us triplets,” added Anjel, “which is really weird.”
Spending time away from their other sister, Aneesha, is going to prove tough as the girls attended Thomas Mills High together in Framlingham and have always been together.
“It’s quite odd when she goes, it’s going to be sad,” said Aneetta.
However, having been at the university just over a week, they are finding there are a number of benefits to being together.
“If I get stuck with something I can ask my sister,” said Aneetta, “one of them will know the answer.”
Paul Driscoll-Evans, Dean of Health Sciences at the University of Suffolk, said, “We’re really delighted to welcome Aneetta, Anjel and Aleena to the University, following in their mother’s footsteps. This is certainly the first time we have welcomed three sisters into the same cohort of students.”
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