Maile, Ke’ale, and Makana Young will graduate summa cum laude from San Diego State University. They will each graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Marketing and Communications, as well as a minor in Interdisciplinary Studies.

In an email to PEOPLE, the siblings explained that attending school together sparked a healthy, yet supportive, rivalry among them, which eventually helped them achieve their objectives.

“Growing up as triplets, we had a healthy degree of competition.” Being in the same classes and on similar paths made it nearly impossible not to compare ourselves,” they said in a joint statement.

“However, over time, that comparison turned into inspiration. One of the most significant benefits we’ve had is always having a built-in study buddy: someone to push us, hold us responsible, and inspire us to be our best selves both inside and outside of the classroom,” they said.

“When one of us took on a new opportunity or achieved a milestone, it inspired the others to think, ‘If she can do it, why not me?'” In this manner, our accomplishments have always become shared achievements, reminders that we are stronger because we have grown together!”

The siblings also stated that, while they followed similar routes in college, they made a deliberate decision to study abroad in different places to experience life independently of one another.

“For us, studying abroad meant more than just an academic or cultural experience.” It was the first time in our lives that we were truly alone,” they told PEOPLE.

“Growing up, we went through everything together. We attended the same schools, participated in the same sports, shared friends, and had never lived apart. For the first time, we each had our own distinct experiences. We had created connections, memories, and a whole chapter of our lives that existed independently of one another. Being overseas pushed us to make our own judgments and face obstacles without each other.”

In a recent interview with NBC 7 San Diego, the siblings said they felt ready to embark on the next chapter of their lives, whether together or individually.

“If life separates us — which it may —I’ll be fine with that,” Ke’ale told the publication. “If life continues to keep us together, I will be more than okay with that, too.”

What about the immediate future? It looks like life will keep them together, at least for a time.

According to NBC 7 San Diego, all three siblings have been employed as paid social media professionals in their birthplace of Oakland, California, and will be returning there following graduation.

For now, the triplets are content to enjoy their most recent triumph.

“The fact that we finally get to walk across the stage together is incredibly meaningful,” Makana told the publication.

The siblings have also shown their gratitude to San Diego State by writing messages of thanks on their social media pages.

HAGS (Heels and Gown Slay) 🎓👩🏻‍🎓. Maile thanked @sandiegostateuniversity for “the best years of my life ♥️” in an Instagram post, accompanied by photographs of herself with Ke’ale and Makana in white gowns.

Ke’ale also posted the photographs on Instagram, captioned “Hard launch @sandiegostateuniversity ❤️🎓.”