Having a very hard time with DS going off to college

[mom2rtk]

When does everyone's kids head back? Mine will be starting class 8/25 so he'll probably head back Saturday the 23rd. It really has been a great summer, very laid back. So nice not to have the stress ahead of us like we did last year. Not to say it will be easy to have him go again, it won't. But not even in the same ballpark as last year. What a lovely change of pace.

 

[marcyinPA]

My DS moves back on the 22 of August. Classes start on the 25th. He has had a very busy summer- working 40 hours a week and taking an online class. He finds his job somewhat stressful- he is a counselor at the local Y day camp and let's just say that these are not easy kids. He comes home really tired, and has thanked my DH and I several times for raising him and his brother to be respectful.

He has not had a vacation, but we have gone on a couple of day trips. It's been a different summer than what he is used to, but I think it has also grown him up some and brought his responsibility to a new level.

This year, he is living in an on campus apartment style dorm with four other guys. We need to do some shopping- we now have to worry about cleaning supplies and paper products and stuff like that! We have decided to forego the meal plan and just put the cash on his account. I could not justify the cost per meal for a block meal plan -75 meals for $975?? I think he can do better with cash- and the local grocery store takes the account dollars that we will put on his card too. So much to figure out once again!!

Enjoy the rest go your summer everyone!

 

[clh2]

My DD just finished her summer job, and will now be home for 2 weeks, studying for the actuarial test she is taking on 8/16, then she heads back on 8/17.

She mentioned that she might be breaking it off with her boyfriend (they started dating at the beginning of their freshman year). I didn't ask any questions, I prefer to stay out of this unless she asks me for advice.

I feel bad for some upcoming changes - DH and I both switched jobs that will mean we need to move. Been a rough year for that - but at least we will both be working. I was just sort of hoping we could stay in our current house until she was out of college before we downsized.

 

[LisaR]

DD heads back on Wednesday. She has to go back early for mandatory orientation training for two jobs and stuff for her sorority. Classes start on the 18th.

She's worked full time most of the summer, but we managed to get in one family vacation, have a few college friends visit for weekends, and she was able to go visit friends out of state.

Okay, I hate to say this, but I am looking forward to her leaving. Shhhhhhhh, don't tell her. The first two weeks she was home were great. She switched BCP's and she has been so incredibly moody. Unfortunately, it took us awhile to figure out that it was the pill and not just her being a snotty teenager. She just started a new pack and says she already feels better. That's good, but the summer wasn't as nice as I was expecting because I was irritated at her most of the time!

Marcy, DD will also be on campus in a full apartment, as well. I swear her school has the worst meal plan options and it is actually very inconvenient. Places close way too early and they put the vast majority of dining at the furthest part of campus where only freshman can live. Really poor planning, in my opinion. It is the only thing DD hates about her campus.

 

[marcyinPA]

DD heads back on Wednesday. She has to go back early for mandatory orientation training for two jobs and stuff for her sorority. Classes start on the 18th. She's worked full time most of the summer, but we managed to get in one family vacation, have a few college friends visit for weekends, and she was able to go visit friends out of state. Okay, I hate to say this, but I am looking forward to her leaving. Shhhhhhhh, don't tell her. The first two weeks she was home were great. She switched BCP's and she has been so incredibly moody. Unfortunately, it took us awhile to figure out that it was the pill and not just her being a snotty teenager. She just started a new pack and says she already feels better. That's good, but the summer wasn't as nice as I was expecting because I was irritated at her most of the time! Marcy, DD will also be on campus in a full apartment, as well. I swear her school has the worst meal plan options and it is actually very inconvenient. Places close way too early and they put the vast majority of dining at the furthest part of campus where only freshman can live. Really poor planning, in my opinion. It is the only thing DD hates about her campus.

Lisa, does she need to get a meal plan, or is it optional? For DS, if you live in a suite or an apartment, you don't need to get a meal plan. I priced it out: it's $975 for 75 meals and that includes $100 flex dollars. So $875 for 75 meals- $11-ish per meal. Most of the meals in the food court are under $11. He would probably only be buying lunch every day, and will make something for dinner. I hope we are making a good choice!

If it makes you feel any better, our summer wasn't all hearts and balloons either- lol. We got along pretty well, but we did have our moments!!

 

[Southernmiss]

Was right were you are this time last year. Minnie mum said it well. Ds jumped right into college life and never looked back. Knowing that he was ok and well adjusted made it a bit easier. Though even with 3 others still at home our house became quieter. His zest for life was noticeably absent. But he came home for the summer more mature and 25 pounds heavier with a girlfriend that might be 'the one'. I will move him back on Monday. It will be sad again but just for a little while because this is one year closer to his paying his own bills (yay) and his stepping out into the real world. Looking forward to what life has in store for him.

And last week he said even when they all move away, we should all get together for big extended family vacations! I will hang onto that and hope we can make it happen.

This was my post last year.

That ds left last year for year two of college, did very well and never looked back. He got a job with an accounting firm this summer (his major) and an apartment in June. So aside from a quick 3 day trip with us, he's not been home all summer. He's doing great and looking forward to year 3. I don't even know what day school starts. I do know it's about the third week of August.

Here's the thing ds#2 is a high school senior this year. Whaaa! It's all starting again. This son is so different. I know what's in store for us this year and next and I'm dreading it already. We've got a lot of work ahead to help ds#2 launch.

The other thing is is ds#3 is a sophomore. So there's even less time to readjust between these 2. I'll be a nervous wreck for a while. Lol !

 

[Katy Belle]

Hi everyone! It Feels soooo different this year!

Big Guy goes back to school in 11 days. I know that because HE is counting . He is ready to go back. He's been busy working this summer, which has been good for him. He did take a week long vacation with friends, to Canada, and we took a 3 day trip to visit family.

The summer was not completely conflict free, but we all did pretty well!

 

[LisaR]

Lisa, does she need to get a meal plan, or is it optional? For DS, if you live in a suite or an apartment, you don't need to get a meal plan. I priced it out: it's $975 for 75 meals and that includes $100 flex dollars. So $875 for 75 meals- $11-ish per meal. Most of the meals in the food court are under $11. He would probably only be buying lunch every day, and will make something for dinner. I hope we are making a good choice!

If it makes you feel any better, our summer wasn't all hearts and balloons either- lol. We got along pretty well, but we did have our moments!!

Thankfully, they do not require a meal plan, not even for freshman. DD's friends who bought a meal plan last year ended up regretting it. They can use their school ID card to swipe anywhere on campus without any kind of meal plan. That's what DD did last year and will do that again this year. Her favorite place on campus is Einstein Bagels and they close at 2pm! I doubt she will ever step foot in the actual cafeteria since that wasn't the greatest food and is a couple miles from her room. If she's going to hop in the car and drive somewhere, she'd rather drive a mile off campus and find pretty much any restaurant known to man. It almost seems like the campus gave up trying with dining because there is too much competition right outside campus.

 

[HERSEY]

How did everyone survive the summer with their kids at home?

For us the summer went so very fast. My son was hardly at home. My budget to a big hit with him being home.

I moved him back in to his dorm this past weekend. I am in a different state of mind this year compared to last year. I will miss him of course but I was so ready to get his stuff out of my house.

How is everyone doing with moving their kids back to school?

 

[kacaju]

DD has a car this year.. I will help her pack her stuff up in her car (ford escape, so with the seats down should be plenty of room!) and see her drive off!! she will be coming home for her cousins baby shower the very next weekend...so anything that didn't fit that rip will go up with her on the next trip!! Of course if she wants my help I will be there for her (she is only an hour away) but I seriously do not see her wanting me to come up to help her.

 

[marcyinPA]

My son goes back Friday. He ends his full time job on Thursday. Nothing is packed except for the stuff I bought for him - he is moving into an on campus apartment and needed a lot of stuff (kitchen mostly). He is taking his car this year, but we are going down with him in ours. He has a lot of stuff including a rug that is not going to fit into a Hyundai Elantra!

He finished his online math class last week, and did well enough that he doesn't owe me for it. The last few weeks of the class sucked to be blunt. His professor held live chats at 4 pm - he and many others in the class worked till 5. She failed to record the last two chats- leaving him and others to teach themselves the material- which of course was more challenging stuff. I told him to make sure the powers that be know about it.

While I am sad to see the summer end, I am ready for him to go back. I will miss him, but a good part of his life is there now- not here like it was last year.

 

[PlutoPony]

Last day of work was yesterday, packing up now and going back tomorrow. He's taking his car back and thus taking himself back to school. It's going to be a really strange feeling to see him drive away by himself..... it's a huge reminder that he's on his own for the most part and doesn't need us as much. That's good and bad, kwim ?! He thinks he can get everything in his car since he left the bigger things at the frat house in the storage room. Guess guys don't need nearly as much as girls, his car isn't that big

Neighbors across the street left this morning to take their freshman daughter down to the same school as my son. Within an hour of leaving they texted that she had forgotten a few small things and could my son bring them down with him tomorrow . I'm expecting a few more texts like that today

Good luck to everyone this year!

 

[mom2rtk]

I wasn't sure if I could even find this thread back! Anyone else have graduation coming up? We're heading down to campus Friday for graduation Saturday morning. This therad is such a blast from the past. It seems like a lifetime ago, but I also can't believe how fast it's all gone.

 

[donac]

I wasn't sure if I could even find this thread back! Anyone else have graduation coming up? We're heading down to campus Friday for graduation Saturday morning. This therad is such a blast from the past. It seems like a lifetime ago, but I also can't believe how fast it's all gone.

Congratulations . Enjoy

 

[robinb]

I wasn't sure if I could even find this thread back! Anyone else have graduation coming up? We're heading down to campus Friday for graduation Saturday morning. This therad is such a blast from the past. It seems like a lifetime ago, but I also can't believe how fast it's all gone.

Congratulations! My family's college adventure is just starting.

 

[mom2rtk]

Congratulations . Enjoy

Congratulations! My family's college adventure is just starting.

Thanks! I really can't believe how fast it all went.

@robinb, I've been reading along the other college threads since my daughter is in high school and we'll be starting this process again soon enough. I hope your daughter gets settled into a school she loves and feels like it was meant to be. My son had a hard time deciding, but in the end was very happy with his choice. I like to say he "found his people".