Having a very hard time with DS going off to college

[wiigirl]

If anyone is looking for something to send their kids or throw in a care package, this was a hit:

http://www.amazon.com/Magnetic-Poet...1672&sr=8-1&keywords=magnetic+college+letters

They have dozens of different kits. Some are quite interesting. I sent DD the starter kit and the college one. She said it is a huge hit.

 

[nancygirl1]

Thanks Lisa. The residence hall they are demolishing is the one they were initially going to put him in this year and we were all against. And we're not that picky. It was really old and run down. So yes, it needed to go. But......

They did something similar a few years ago with another residence hall. I have heard that they did end up putting kids up in a hotel. But so far no word that they would do that again. And once again, I don't think there are any close enough that he won't need a car. And it would put him in a position of needing to get to campus for ever meal, so I'm not sure that's a great alternative either.

I did tell him he should get together with his friends and talk about looking for an apartment, but I'm not sure where or when he should even start. Once the semester is over, he'll come home 3 1/2 hours away. And I'm guessing apartment housing will be in very high demand now.

Of Course it's just one more thing!! One of my sons is living off campus. The school he goes to doesn't provide housing for juniors and seniors. They have all started looking for housing now and him and his roommates (4 of them) have already secured a place for next year. But, there always seems to be a group of kids that are looking for one or two more kids to live with them in order to bring the cost of rent down. You might check with housing to see if they have a network that the kids use to find housing. My son's school has a section of the school website dedicated to it. My son doesn't have a car either, but his school and the town have an awesome bus service that has a lot stops so the college kids can use the bus system. You might want to check into that, also. We find it less expensive for him to live off campus. He can control how much money he spends on food and expenses. And the more they live with the cheaper the housing cost is.

 

[LisaR]

Thanks Lisa. The residence hall they are demolishing is the one they were initially going to put him in this year and we were all against. And we're not that picky. It was really old and run down. So yes, it needed to go. But......

They did something similar a few years ago with another residence hall. I have heard that they did end up putting kids up in a hotel. But so far no word that they would do that again. And once again, I don't think there are any close enough that he won't need a car. And it would put him in a position of needing to get to campus for ever meal, so I'm not sure that's a great alternative either.

I did tell him he should get together with his friends and talk about looking for an apartment, but I'm not sure where or when he should even start. Once the semester is over, he'll come home 3 1/2 hours away. And I'm guessing apartment housing will be in very high demand now.

If you think there is even a chance that he will have to live off campus next year, you might want to have him start looking now just to get a feel for what is out there. Just like dorm housing comes up this time of the year for returning students, leases start to get signed for next year, as well. There will always be something somewhere, but the best ones go quickly. If he lives off campus, he wouldn't need a meal plan to cover every meal because he would have a full kitchen. I know, I know, he probably won't cook! He can heat up meals, make some pasta, reheat leftovers, etc.

 

[Arielle22]

It is always something, isn't it?

Personally, I've always found off campus living to be cheaper than the dorms at all the schools we looked at. Of course, he'd need one with transportation or he'd need a car which kind throws the word "cheaper" out the window.

If they are demolishing an entire housing unit, it must be in pretty bad shape.

I hope he gets the dorm he wants. One college DD was looking at bought a Howard Johnson down the road and housed all the overflow kids in there. Neither one of us liked that option. All of these campuses seem to have housing shortages.

Was that a college in Boston by any chance? It sounds like one my SIL works at.

 

[minniebeth]

Just checking in, thinking of you all, the college topic is never too far away from conversation in our house

LisaR, How is your DD's roommate situation going? I'm thinking of her and really feel for her. I think the whole roommate ordeal is probably one of the most stressful issues for college students to deal with.
Not that it makes you feel any better, but I hear a multitude of crazy roommate stories from my DS and other friends with college aged kids. She's certainly not alone in a difficult situation. Hoping she's able to cope with it well until the end of school.

KatyBelle, I sorry about your DS' ticket~ Hopefully, it will be one of those life lessons that thankfully didn't result in any worse off of a situation. I hope you are enjoying your spring break in Disney World! Wishing you a vacation filled with pixie dust! Send us polar vortex peeps some sunshine!

mom2rtk, ugh! So sorry about the housing situation! I know some of the schools we looked at only guaranteed on-campus housing for one year, and I crossed those off the list right away (well, thankfully they were schools DS didn't love anyway lol). I like that some schools require students to be on campus for at least two years. I guess I may be a little protective, but I just feel kids have so much time in their lives to live on their own and be independent, I just like the on-campus housing option. It stinks that when you are expecting one thing, it changes and leaves you looking for other options you didn't anticipate. I hope it all works out with the best fit for your DS! Best wishes!

DS is home for spring break this week. It's SO nice to have him home and we've had some great family time together. He's been busy catching up with friends, etc. and started training for his summer job. He seems happy right now, so that's good!

 

[mom2rtk]

Thanks for the moral support everyone. I called the Residential Life office today and am just more confused than ever.

My DS says they flat out told them at that meeting that the residential hall is being demolished. They told me by phone it's not being demolished, just taken permanently offline. It seems the campus's new geothermal heating system can't heat those older buildings. They have purchased a number of other buildings close by to convert to student housing. There is a flyer with a picture of each building and very limited info about the units. They tell me we can't come tour the buildings since they don't take possession until June. Yet commitments have to be made before then. So I glance down at the schedule my son gave me and it says tours start Monday 3/17. I'm about to give up believing a single thing they tell me!

They apparently do have enough spots for all the students, and as such will not be granting any waivers to live off-campus. So much for that option. Whether those options are desirable or not seems to be immaterial.

 

[minniebeth]

Thanks for the moral support everyone. I called the Residential Life office today and am just more confused than ever.

My DS says they flat out told them at that meeting that the residential hall is being demolished. They told me by phone it's not being demolished, just taken permanently offline. It seems the campus's new geothermal heating system can't heat those older buildings. They have purchased a number of other buildings close by to convert to student housing. There is a flyer with a picture of each building and very limited info about the units. They tell me we can't come tour the buildings since they don't take possession until June. Yet commitments have to be made before then. So I glance down at the schedule my son gave me and it says tours start Monday 3/17. I'm about to give up believing a single thing they tell me!

They apparently do have enough spots for all the students, and as such will not be granting any waivers to live off-campus. So much for that option. Whether those options are desirable or not seems to be immaterial.

Oh, no! Not sure which is the better option~ having to be forced to find off-campus housing because they cannot accommodate the students, or being held to the on-campus housing obligation and having no control over where they will be put.
I'd be all over that one, making sure they are accommodating the students in a satisfactory manner, not just slapping anything together for someplace to put them.
I have a personal thing about housing, lol...my DS' dorm this year is the oldest dorm on campus. It was slated to be torn down and then they had an overflow of students needing housing, so they opened it back up again. It is the cr***iest dorm on campus and I'm not kidding when I say I think a prison cell and facility would be nicer. With what we pay for housing, it's a shame.
He's in a much, much nicer dorm next year and is and will be ecstatic with your typical dorm room. It's all relative

Again, best wishes for the housing situation to work out for the best. Keep us posted!

 

[mom2rtk]

Oh, no! Not sure which is the better option~ having to be forced to find off-campus housing because they cannot accommodate the students, or being held to the on-campus housing obligation and having no control over where they will be put.
I'd be all over that one, making sure they are accommodating the students in a satisfactory manner, not just slapping anything together for someplace to put them.
I have a personal thing about housing, lol...my DS' dorm this year is the oldest dorm on campus. It was slated to be torn down and then they had an overflow of students needing housing, so they opened it back up again. It is the cr***iest dorm on campus and I'm not kidding when I say I think a prison cell and facility would be nicer. With what we pay for housing, it's a shame.
He's in a much, much nicer dorm next year and is and will be ecstatic with your typical dorm room. It's all relative

Again, best wishes for the housing situation to work out for the best. Keep us posted!

Thanks Minneibeth. Yes, the term "prison cell" does come to mind in describing the one of these alternatives we did happen to tour last year. I'm a little concerned they might all be of this caliber. Last year I felt like he got low priority because he was a freshman, but this year would be better. This year it seems they are prioritizing the incoming freshmen. All we can do is cross our fingers and move ahead pursuing all the alternatives until the lottery is over for the few spots they are saving for sophomores in his current dorm. He's not even in the fancy dorm with suites and private bathrooms. He's ok with the bathroom down the hall. He just doesn't want the prison cell.

He had kicked around the possibility of applying to be an RA next year. Had he known this was coming, he probably would have done it. But now it's too late.

 

[marcyinPA]

Thanks Minneibeth. Yes, the term "prison cell" does come to mind in describing the one of these alternatives we did happen to tour last year. I'm a little concerned they might all be of this caliber. Last year I felt like he got low priority because he was a freshman, but this year would be better. This year it seems they are prioritizing the incoming freshmen. All we can do is cross our fingers and move ahead pursuing all the alternatives until the lottery is over for the few spots they are saving for sophomores in his current dorm. He's not even in the fancy dorm with suites and private bathrooms. He's ok with the bathroom down the hall. He just doesn't want the prison cell.

He had kicked around the possibility of applying to be an RA next year. Had he known this was coming, he probably would have done it. But now it's too late.

So sorry about the dorm situation for next semester. That really stinks!!

At my DS's school, upperclassmen can't live in a traditional dorm. They are limited to either suite style or apartment style on campus housing- which is fine, but costs about $1K more a year. GRRRR. We had picked the cheapest option this year for a reason! We certainly don't have more money to work with next year! He did look into an apartment, but it only housed 4- and would cost $3800 per person plus utilities and had a 12 month lease. Since he won't live there year round, we decided against it.

My DS applied for an RA job and was interviewed but did not get the job. He was disappointed. I think his nerves got the best of him and he did not interview well. Maybe another time.

He is home on spring break this week. He has been busy filling out job applications for summer jobs, and hanging out with friends (including his ex girlfriend. Don't ask. ) it is good having him home but I can't keep dnough food in the house. I have been to the store three times since Friday!! Lol.

Hope everyone else enjoyed their spring break with their kiddos!!

 

[cabanafrau]

Housing is one of THE most miserable details of college life, and one of the most expensive. DD is burned out of dorm life, dorm food, etc., but has to suck it up for one more year. When she moves to off campus housing it's going to add other challenges to the experience. She has a car, but it will do her no good as there is no place to park on campus, period. All of her classes are concentrated in an area that is well removed from any off campus housing.

Honestly I think this issue probably winds up driving some kids from completing. For the $$ paid in I think it's inexcusable how many of these schools treat their students.

 

[LisaR]

LisaR, How is your DD's roommate situation going? I'm thinking of her and really feel for her. I think the whole roommate ordeal is probably one of the most stressful issues for college students to deal with.
Not that it makes you feel any better, but I hear a multitude of crazy roommate stories from my DS and other friends with college aged kids. She's certainly not alone in a difficult situation. Hoping she's able to cope with it well until the end of school.

Thanks for asking! Things are going okay. DD is pretty much ignoring her and just giving yes/no answers when she asks her something. The roommate told a friend of DD's that the two used to be best friends and she doesn't know what has happened to them now. Best friends? They haven't gotten along from the beginning. DD did come home yesterday to find her once again completely passed out right inside the door. This time she took a picture and saved it. Oh, it was 10:30am.

Thanks Minneibeth. Yes, the term "prison cell" does come to mind in describing the one of these alternatives we did happen to tour last year. I'm a little concerned they might all be of this caliber. Last year I felt like he got low priority because he was a freshman, but this year would be better. This year it seems they are prioritizing the incoming freshmen. All we can do is cross our fingers and move ahead pursuing all the alternatives until the lottery is over for the few spots they are saving for sophomores in his current dorm. He's not even in the fancy dorm with suites and private bathrooms. He's ok with the bathroom down the hall. He just doesn't want the prison cell.

He had kicked around the possibility of applying to be an RA next year. Had he known this was coming, he probably would have done it. But now it's too late.

That just stinks! Hope the lottery comes through in his favor.

So sorry about the dorm situation for next semester. That really stinks!!

At my DS's school, upperclassmen can't live in a traditional dorm. They are limited to either suite style or apartment style on campus housing- which is fine, but costs about $1K more a year. GRRRR. We had picked the cheapest option this year for a reason! We certainly don't have more money to work with next year! He did look into an apartment, but it only housed 4- and would cost $3800 per person plus utilities and had a 12 month lease. Since he won't live there year round, we decided against it.

My DS applied for an RA job and was interviewed but did not get the job. He was disappointed. I think his nerves got the best of him and he did not interview well. Maybe another time.

He is home on spring break this week. He has been busy filling out job applications for summer jobs, and hanging out with friends (including his ex girlfriend. Don't ask. ) it is good having him home but I can't keep dnough food in the house. I have been to the store three times since Friday!! Lol.

Hope everyone else enjoyed their spring break with their kiddos!!

Wouldn't the $3800 for 12 months still be cheaper than the dorm cost? DD's dorm is something like $6700 for nine months. He could try and sublet in the summer.

Housing is one of THE most miserable details of college life, and one of the most expensive. DD is burned out of dorm life, dorm food, etc., but has to suck it up for one more year. When she moves to off campus housing it's going to add other challenges to the experience. She has a car, but it will do her no good as there is no place to park on campus, period. All of her classes are concentrated in an area that is well removed from any off campus housing.

Honestly I think this issue probably winds up driving some kids from completing. For the $$ paid in I think it's inexcusable how many of these schools treat their students.

I agree. I don't really think it matters where you go to school; dorm living isn't great, roommates aren't always the best, and if you get out of the dorms and into an apartment with friends, parking is a nightmare. But this is suppose to make them stronger and better prepared for the world, right?

 

[mom2rtk]

So sorry about the dorm situation for next semester. That really stinks!!

At my DS's school, upperclassmen can't live in a traditional dorm. They are limited to either suite style or apartment style on campus housing- which is fine, but costs about $1K more a year. GRRRR. We had picked the cheapest option this year for a reason! We certainly don't have more money to work with next year! He did look into an apartment, but it only housed 4- and would cost $3800 per person plus utilities and had a 12 month lease. Since he won't live there year round, we decided against it.

My DS applied for an RA job and was interviewed but did not get the job. He was disappointed. I think his nerves got the best of him and he did not interview well. Maybe another time.

He is home on spring break this week. He has been busy filling out job applications for summer jobs, and hanging out with friends (including his ex girlfriend. Don't ask. ) it is good having him home but I can't keep dnough food in the house. I have been to the store three times since Friday!! Lol.

Hope everyone else enjoyed their spring break with their kiddos!!

I'm sorry your son didn't get the RA job he applied for. Maybe the interview experience will help him if he tries for it again next year?

I actually just made the 7 hour round trip yesterday to take him back to school. You know........ for that St. Pat's weekend break....... Spring Break is next week. I think he has a ride home with his friend from here in town.

We drove past the new housing location options. Not "new" as in "new building", but "new" as in different options for next year. Most were decidedly very "old." There were 5 locations. One was a real dump. One was the dump he didn't want to stay in last year. One was too far from campus. That leaves a couple semi-reasonable alternatives. He and his current roommate have a list of tours and will have to go on their own today and/or tomorrow to see inside them. I'm just crossing my fingers they actually come up with something acceptable. As I said, he's not really picky. He doesn't need a brand new building. He doesn't need a private bath...... just something that doesn't look like a prison cell would be good.

Housing is one of THE most miserable details of college life, and one of the most expensive. DD is burned out of dorm life, dorm food, etc., but has to suck it up for one more year. When she moves to off campus housing it's going to add other challenges to the experience. She has a car, but it will do her no good as there is no place to park on campus, period. All of her classes are concentrated in an area that is well removed from any off campus housing.

Honestly I think this issue probably winds up driving some kids from completing. For the $$ paid in I think it's inexcusable how many of these schools treat their students.

I'm betting that colleges make more on their room and board than they do on tuition! They have the students over a barrel! If we can get through one more year, at least there will be more options. My DS is required to live on campus the first 2 years.

We keep debating helping DS get a car to bring next year, but the parking in these "new" locations looks far harder than at his current dorm. I drove him through the parking lots of those buildings around 10 AM yesterday and I don't think I saw a single empty spot.

Thanks for asking! Things are going okay. DD is pretty much ignoring her and just giving yes/no answers when she asks her something. The roommate told a friend of DD's that the two used to be best friends and she doesn't know what has happened to them now. Best friends? They haven't gotten along from the beginning. DD did come home yesterday to find her once again completely passed out right inside the door. This time she took a picture and saved it. Oh, it was 10:30am.

I was wondering how things were going now that she's back from spring break.

Best friends? LOL. I remember your posts from the very beginning of the school year.

That just stinks! Hope the lottery comes through in his favor.

Thanks Lisa. At this point, that's our best hope.

Wouldn't the $3800 for 12 months still be cheaper than the dorm cost? DD's dorm is something like $6700 for nine months. He could try and sublet in the summer.

The options open to my son are mostly right around $6K/year. The one nice new dorm is closer to $7K. We'd gladly help him get to that price if he gets pulled for that one in the lottery. But even several of the $6K options look dumpy.

I agree. I don't really think it matters where you go to school; dorm living isn't great, roommates aren't always the best, and if you get out of the dorms and into an apartment with friends, parking is a nightmare. But this is suppose to make them stronger and better prepared for the world, right?

I only lasted one year in dorm living. It just wasn't for me. I didn't like living in close quarters with so many other catty girls, and honestly just couldn't afford to continue there and remain in the dorm. I did some babysitting my freshman year, and they invited me to move in my sophomore year in exchange for regular sitting. The next year I lived with a different family I did some babysitting for. My senior year I rented a room from some little old ladies. I call it the "McGyver" approach to upper education. It worked for me, but it's probably not going to work for DS.

What's so frustrating is that it seems like every time he gets past a hurdle in this housing thing, the pull the rug out and he has to face the next level. Sorry ....... too many video games at this house.

 

[sk!mom]

I've followed this thread because my DD17 will head off next Fall. I'm looking for computer advice and thought someone on here with college freshman might be able to help me out.

I'm thinking of getting her a new laptop as a grad gift. She currently has a 2 year old Dell. She will be a Design major at the University of North Texas. I emailed the design department at UNT and they had no specific hardware advice. They only said that she will likely want Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop software.

Any advice on the best computer?

 

[clh2]

So - my DD is in China over spring break, as part of a Global Studies thing that her school offers. Sounds like she is having a good time!

She facetimes us at a ridiculous hour of the morning on this trip - as she needs to be in the hotel for internet access - this morning was about 4am. We are glad to hear from her at any hour of the day, as then we know she is safe.

So - today's conversation:

DD: We are doing a dinner cruise tonight, but Lauren and I are going out for a drink first.

DH: Oh - you are going out for coffee?

We then heard Lauren in the background literally doing this:

DD: Yeah dad, we are going out for coffee.

_______________
I am missing my baby just a little bit. And - we've been asked to NOT come down over parents weekend in a few weeks, as she has a huge test the following week. I "get" where she is coming from, and I do not want to get in the way of her studying for the test, that cost several hundred dollars to sign up for. It is just a little sad for me.

DD's birthday is close to the following weekend. Don't know if we will go down (then need a hotel, dog sitter etc) or if we will just see if she wants to meet us half way for breakfast or lunch.

 

[mom2rtk]

So - my DD is in China over spring break, as part of a Global Studies thing that her school offers. Sounds like she is having a good time!

She facetimes us at a ridiculous hour of the morning on this trip - as she needs to be in the hotel for internet access - this morning was about 4am. We are glad to hear from her at any hour of the day, as then we know she is safe.

So - today's conversation:

DD: We are doing a dinner cruise tonight, but Lauren and I are going out for a drink first.

DH: Oh - you are going out for coffee?

We then heard Lauren in the background literally doing this:

DD: Yeah dad, we are going out for coffee.

_______________
I am missing my baby just a little bit. And - we've been asked to NOT come down over parents weekend in a few weeks, as she has a huge test the following week. I "get" where she is coming from, and I do not want to get in the way of her studying for the test, that cost several hundred dollars to sign up for. It is just a little sad for me.

DD's birthday is close to the following weekend. Don't know if we will go down (then need a hotel, dog sitter etc) or if we will just see if she wants to meet us half way for breakfast or lunch.

I'm sorry about not getting to see DD over parent's weekend. But I'm sure you're happy she has her priorities straight. I'd probably be pretty tempted to find a way to see her near her birthday though. We totally got lucky on that front. DS turns 19 Sunday and he'll be home on spring break.

What an awesome opportunity though for your DD to get to see China!

 

[trip]

At my DS's school, upperclassmen can't live in a traditional dorm. They are limited to either suite style or apartment style on campus housing- which is fine, but costs about $1K more a year. GRRRR. We had picked the cheapest option this year for a reason! We certainly don't have more money to work with next year! He did look into an apartment, but it only housed 4- and would cost $3800 per person plus utilities and had a 12 month lease. Since he won't live there year round, we decided against it.

Am I reading this right?

 

[marcyinPA]

Am I reading this right?

It was $3800 per semester- utilities not included- but you had to sign a 12 month lease.

It is actually a little less expensive for him to live on campus. He doesn't need to get a meal plan where he will be living.

 

[RejoyceoverDisney]

I haven't been on the boards much lately. Life is doing it's thing. Today was my 22 year old with Autisms last day of school/voc training sites. Next week he will be starting a more "therapeutic" approach of life and mid week the town is giving him a special ceremony that he will be in cap and gown and "receive" the diploma he earned. Life is surely changing and we have a lot coming up with all those changes.

And now I catch up a little here and see you all have been talking housing.
Yup it's that time of year and I just went through a little stress with my second year college son. His loyalty and patience with his friends/roommates makes me very proud, but.......the return was leaving him the short end of the deal.
So I gave him some things to think about and just found out on Monday that he has decided to move off campus into a house with some friends. Two of the boys that will be living there are brothers and their parents own the house. They have pretty much gutted the place and set up having everything covered. And after reading what some of you said, I think for $6,000 for a 12 month lease, he is doing well. The style of dorms on campus are pretty much a house with a lot of bedrooms (old victorians turned dorm) but no way as nice as this house AND the same price. I'm especially happy to know they installed security cameras.

The house is a block and 1/2 from the campus cafeteria. We haven't talked about his cafe use verses what he will eat in his apartment yet. There are some food plan options for him but we'll see.

The advantages for me is being able to pay monthly instead of coming up with all of it before Summer. This will free up some other options of how to help my son afford high interest loans. It does dig into the option of me using my Disney Visa and gaining points, but.......the sacrifices we make.

You would think with my son being 20 I would be confident that all will be well, but I guess I still see him as an innocent kid. I'm sure Summer break will change my thoughts.
Technically he doesn't need a full year option, especially since we live within a fairly easy commute option, but this to me is a great guided way for him to experience being on his own.

OH and I'm so happy he will have his own room and not be in another triple. I can't believe after 2 years of climbing over roommates, he was actually considering it again. geeesh.

So thanks for your posts and helping me feel even more comfortable with this decision. YOu all have had some valuable experiences to help me think through my own letting go. Thank you so much.

I do hope those that are lurking and have kids not yet out of high school find our sharing helpful.

See you all soon. Next chapter ahead.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

So - my DD is in China over spring break, as part of a Global Studies thing that her school offers. Sounds like she is having a good time!

She facetimes us at a ridiculous hour of the morning on this trip - as she needs to be in the hotel for internet access - this morning was about 4am. We are glad to hear from her at any hour of the day, as then we know she is safe.

So - today's conversation:

DD: We are doing a dinner cruise tonight, but Lauren and I are going out for a drink first.

DH: Oh - you are going out for coffee?

We then heard Lauren in the background literally doing this:

DD: Yeah dad, we are going out for coffee.

_______________
I am missing my baby just a little bit. And - we've been asked to NOT come down over parents weekend in a few weeks, as she has a huge test the following week. I "get" where she is coming from, and I do not want to get in the way of her studying for the test, that cost several hundred dollars to sign up for. It is just a little sad for me.

DD's birthday is close to the following weekend. Don't know if we will go down (then need a hotel, dog sitter etc) or if we will just see if she wants to meet us half way for breakfast or lunch.

So sorry you won't get to see her. That does hurt. But I agree, what an amazing opportunity to see china!

I haven't been on the boards much lately. Life is doing it's thing. Today was my 22 year old with Autisms last day of school/voc training sites. Next week he will be starting a more "therapeutic" approach of life and mid week the town is giving him a special ceremony that he will be in cap and gown and "receive" the diploma he earned. Life is surely changing and we have a lot coming up with all those changes.

And now I catch up a little here and see you all have been talking housing.
Yup it's that time of year and I just went through a little stress with my second year college son. His loyalty and patience with his friends/roommates makes me very proud, but.......the return was leaving him the short end of the deal.
So I gave him some things to think about and just found out on Monday that he has decided to move off campus into a house with some friends. Two of the boys that will be living there are brothers and their parents own the house. They have pretty much gutted the place and set up having everything covered. And after reading what some of you said, I think for $6,000 for a 12 month lease, he is doing well. The style of dorms on campus are pretty much a house with a lot of bedrooms (old victorians turned dorm) but no way as nice as this house AND the same price. I'm especially happy to know they installed security cameras.

The house is a block and 1/2 from the campus cafeteria. We haven't talked about his cafe use verses what he will eat in his apartment yet. There are some food plan options for him but we'll see.

The advantages for me is being able to pay monthly instead of coming up with all of it before Summer. This will free up some other options of how to help my son afford high interest loans. It does dig into the option of me using my Disney Visa and gaining points, but.......the sacrifices we make.

You would think with my son being 20 I would be confident that all will be well, but I guess I still see him as an innocent kid. I'm sure Summer break will change my thoughts.
Technically he doesn't need a full year option, especially since we live within a fairly easy commute option, but this to me is a great guided way for him to experience being on his own.

OH and I'm so happy he will have his own room and not be in another triple. I can't believe after 2 years of climbing over roommates, he was actually considering it again. geeesh.

So thanks for your posts and helping me feel even more comfortable with this decision. YOu all have had some valuable experiences to help me think through my own letting go. Thank you so much.

I do hope those that are lurking and have kids not yet out of high school find our sharing helpful.

See you all soon. Next chapter ahead.

I think that housing opportunity sounds like a great deal! Hang in there.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

count me in on one of the sad mom's. DS is enjoying spring break... at school. Didn't want to come home. Says he can't study at home and has a lot he has to do.

We did go see him yesterday and that was very nice, I just like having him home better.

On the flip side, he did get me hooked on Clash of clans, and I am in his clan. (an online multiplayer game). All his friends thought it was funny that I joined up! It does make me giggle, but boy do I spend too much time building up my clan! the things we do to stay connected to our kids