High School Class 2013: Picking Colleges..Check in Here!

[Christine]

I'm jealous of those who are done! Tonight is prom, so I've got kids coming over for after-prom. This weekend is the "easy" weekend. Next weekend is Baccalaureate on Sunday afternoon. The following weekend is graduation, and I'm knee deep in grad night committee plans, along with his graduation party.

Meanwhile, we're shopping and packing since he leaves for the summer right after graduation, then he's got to be ready to leave for college shortly after he gets back.

It's going to be a crazy couple of weeks followed by a very quiet summer!

It is a wonderful relief to be "done." I'm not as nearlly busy as you but, still, I've kind of been smiling all weekend because I don't have anything I need to do now. Your next few weeks sound incredibly busy!!!

We have orientation on June 26th but even will be pretty easy as the school is just under 2 hours away and it's only for the day. DS is working all summer so it's all just kind of OVER!!!

 

[LisaR]

DS graduated 9 days ago! No tears for me at the ceremony. I'd cried them before, because DS lost our rain out tickets for Graduation! Luckily, we had beautiful weather and a beautiful ceremony. DS was the only Senior Tuba player this year, and highly loved by the other Tubas. They all taped a letter "J" to their backs, his first initial. So sweet! I did tear up seeing that!

Thursday and Friday we had orientation at Oklahoma State! DH and I attended only Thursday, we left DS there for the night and he drove himself home Friday. Leaving him felt like leaving him at Pre-school, all those years ago! Friday morning, without us, he met with his adviser and enrolled! He's got 15 hours, but due to several labs and one class that is only 8 weeks, its closer to 18 hours of class/lab time. Fingers crossed it will go well!

I didn't cry at DD's graduation either. I think I kind of went in a zone because it is all a blur to me. I cried the week before graduation for no real reasons so I guess I was just all cried out.

The reality for me hit when she registered for classes by phone. She was in her room talking to the adviser and I was in the living room crying! It was confirmation that this was really happening. I am so happy for her and I know this will be a great experience for her, but I am going to miss my little girl so much!

 

[spima3]

This is going to be a crazy week as I have 3 kids w/ 3 different school schedules! DD18 will be finishing up this week w/ graduation next Tues.

We had awards night and class day, where they play the videos and show pictures of them when they were younger. I did tear up a bit, remembering how little they all were in Pre-k together and now they are parting to go their separate ways.

DD received a few awards for Forensics and some "class" awards as chosen by the other students. You would think she had a great time in HS, but all she has done for the past two years is complain about how much she hates it.

She has still to meet w/ the advisor at Penn State, local campus for her classes, which was delayed due to a placement exam they said she didn't take.

She was also notified of a scholarship! Yipee!

Does anyone know when the "final" numbers for tuition & aid come through? We got the preliminary financial aid package, but they were not final numbers.

DH is being furloughed soon, so it would be really nice to know exactly what we are looking at cost wise.

 

[marcyinPA]

DS18 got his cap and gown this morning at rehearsal. He tried it on for me when I got home from work. I started to cry. OMG- pass me the tissues!!! I am going to be a mess tomorrow night!!

 

[NewCrew42]

What a great thread! I should have been on here this year.

My DS graduated May 28. Today he shipped off to work at a summer camp as a counselor until Aug. 3. I haven't really cried yet which is shocking to me. DS and I have a GREAT relationship and are very close. I guess I just feel so happy for him about everything that the sadness of him being gone just hasn't hit me yet!

 

[spima3]

Well, graduation is over, now what?

First time for this w/ oldest DD. She is suppose to get an ID for Penn State and we are scheduled for an orientation next Tues.

She is a commuter, so I know her experience will be different than those who dorm on campus.

But, I am wondering what we can expect. She picked a major that she already wants to change.

Also, the financial aid package was not "finalized", so when do we get the real numbers?

What can we expect over the next two months?

lori

 

[mom2travel]

Well, graduation is over, now what?

First time for this w/ oldest DD. She is suppose to get an ID for Penn State and we are scheduled for an orientation next Tues.

She is a commuter, so I know her experience will be different than those who dorm on campus.

But, I am wondering what we can expect. She picked a major that she already wants to change.

Also, the financial aid package was not "finalized", so when do we get the real numbers?

What can we expect over the next two months?

lori

This is our first one heading off too. I went with DS to his orientation last week. It's not your DD's university, but here is our experience with DS'...

DS changed his major prior to orientation, as recommended by admissions at his school, since they register for classes during orientation. It took all of 10 seconds on the phone with admissions to change it. I'd suggest calling to ask

There was an opportunity during the parent program of our orientation to attend a session with the financial aid office. I would guess they'd need to finalize aid before tuition & fees are due. But, I'd call Penn State and confirm if you're nervous.

DS ordered his ID online and picked it up during orientation. And he handed in his transcript request to his HS counselor before graduation so final transcript will be sent to his univ.

For us, we really don't have much of anything left to do. Just pay the bill when it comes, collect whatever stuff DS needs to take with him, and enjoy spending time together before he heads off in August

Good luck!! It's a fun but busy time readying our kids (and ourselves) for this next phase

 

[LisaR]

Thought I would give this thread a bump. DD leaves one month from today.

Is anyone else going through a whole slew of different emotions? I am so happy for her and can't wait to have her start on this new part of her life. On the other hand, I am so sad and I feel like a part of my life is coming to an end. That sounds so dramatic! I promise that on the surface I appear fine, but this is going to be very hard for me. I hope she absolutely loves this new journey, but I am nervous, anxious, and worried at the same time. A big part of me wishes I could have just left her at orientation last week so I can just get this process started. Instead, it is just looming over me. I know I will be fine once she is settled, but since I know it is inevitable, I almost want it to get here sooner rather than later. So am I the only one in some weird emotional vortex at the moment?

 

[Katy Belle]

Thought I would give this thread a bump. DD leaves one month from today.

Is anyone else going through a whole slew of different emotions? I am so happy for her and can't wait to have her start on this new part of her life. On the other hand, I am so sad and I feel like a part of my life is coming to an end. That sounds so dramatic! I promise that on the surface I appear fine, but this is going to be very hard for me. I hope she absolutely loves this new journey, but I am nervous, anxious, and worried at the same time. A big part of me wishes I could have just left her at orientation last week so I can just get this process started. Instead, it is just looming over me. I know I will be fine once she is settled, but since I know it is inevitable, I almost want it to get here sooner rather than later. So am I the only one in some weird emotional vortex at the moment?

DS18 leaves for "Welcome Week" at his University on August 11. I'm feeling a lot like you! I am thrilled and excited for him, but I'm nervous about it all, praying it goes well for him. I have 2 more boys at home, and we ALL are going to miss him terribly! That doesn't mean I want him to stay here....I really don't. Just so many unknowns! He hasn't even made contact with his roommate yet...hoping they are compatible. His girlfriend just broke up with him recently...hope he can shake that off and get settled in his new place. So many emotions for ME! He has really been responsible with taking care of everything needed for this next step, I know he's ready. But it really doesn't make me less nervous! We will all survive!

 

[mom2rtk]

Thought I would give this thread a bump. DD leaves one month from today.

Is anyone else going through a whole slew of different emotions? I am so happy for her and can't wait to have her start on this new part of her life. On the other hand, I am so sad and I feel like a part of my life is coming to an end. That sounds so dramatic! I promise that on the surface I appear fine, but this is going to be very hard for me. I hope she absolutely loves this new journey, but I am nervous, anxious, and worried at the same time. A big part of me wishes I could have just left her at orientation last week so I can just get this process started. Instead, it is just looming over me. I know I will be fine once she is settled, but since I know it is inevitable, I almost want it to get here sooner rather than later. So am I the only one in some weird emotional vortex at the moment?

Hey Lisa! I'm right there with you.

We drop our son off 3 weeks from Saturday. I'm all over the place with it too. It's REALLY starting to feel very real to me right now. And I have to say I'm not liking it! I know we'll get through it, but the next couple months will be a huge adjustment.

It's not helping of course that they don't have a housing placement for him. No way to know who his roommate will be, or whether he will even be placed with someone right away they intend for him to be with for the entire year. Apparently they had a bumper crop of students this year. They have him on a waiting list. If enough spots don't open up (from students withdrawing or deciding to move into a greek house) they will open up one of the dorms unused last year. Which is in the ONE complex he did not want to be in. This is really off to a bad start. I thought he'd have a chance to get to know his roommate over the course of the summer. It is possible we could move him in, then he has to move himself a few weeks later. Not now we thought this would go.

Does anyone know of a good site for suggestions on what kids need for their dorm rooms? You know..... for when he finally has one.........

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Tons of emotions here, too. I'm so happy that she gets to start this next phase of her life, but I know that, realistically, she's not coming back. Not really--her heart will be elsewhere.

We got through orientation already, but she moves in and starts a special volunteer week, the last week of August. I'll be moving her in and setting up her room--I guess that's how they do it, they said parents could set up while the kids were at meetings. While her dad would be helpful, he was deemed unfit to set up a girls' dorm room.

One odd note for us is, DD had requested freshman housing, but was instead put into specialized housing meant for upperclassmen--it's a house for her major. We hadn't expected that, but I'm hoping it will be a quieter environment, with lots of "big sisters" to help her out. But, it means we don't know the room layout (only looked at freshman housing when we were there), her roommates are sophomores (she's in a triple), and I have no idea who's going to be in the building when she has early move-in. So, it should be interesting.

 

[swanmom]

Just spoke with DD's financial aid office since her award is listed as 'pending.'
Her financial aid advisor said that they are putting any awards that contain federal loans on 'hold' as they are waiting to see what Congress does with adjusting loan rates. She explained that any loans that are originated now will be subject to the recent dramatic increase in interest rates. The financial aid office is monitoring the actions of Congress daily in hopes that some rollback on interest rates will occur and then they will notify all the effected students to originate their loans right away. I posted this in hopes that the info will help others in the same boat.

 

[mom2rtk]

I really wish our first to go was a girl. I'm lost on what to suggest to my son for his room. Anything I ask him about needing, he says no. Do you want some sort of mirror for your desk for putting in contacts (bathrooms are likely down the hall)? Nah. Do you want a rug in case your room isn't carpted? Nah. Do you want a fan in case the A/C isn't good enough? Nah. Do you want anything to hang on the wall? Nah. I'm really at a loss here. It took me a month just to get him to commit on new sneakers. So I think I just need to get some things and stop asking. But I just don't know what is typical for boys.

Anybody out there with boys previously away at school have suggestions?

 

[corpcomp]

Thought I would give this thread a bump. DD leaves one month from today.

Is anyone else going through a whole slew of different emotions? I am so happy for her and can't wait to have her start on this new part of her life. On the other hand, I am so sad and I feel like a part of my life is coming to an end. That sounds so dramatic! I promise that on the surface I appear fine, but this is going to be very hard for me. I hope she absolutely loves this new journey, but I am nervous, anxious, and worried at the same time. A big part of me wishes I could have just left her at orientation last week so I can just get this process started. Instead, it is just looming over me. I know I will be fine once she is settled, but since I know it is inevitable, I almost want it to get here sooner rather than later. So am I the only one in some weird emotional vortex at the moment?

DS - our only, goes off Mid August - Same sense of emotions but also excited. As part of the easing process, we already have reservations for Parents Weekend in late September and have planned a Disney vacation with him during Christmas. Even though he's 900 miles away, we can handle the visits.

 

[SplashMtnCrew]

Wow! Just came across this thread and wish I had found it earlier! Our DS's university is 10 minutes from home, so of course he will be living at home. That being said, I have the same emotions that you all have mentioned with sending your kids hundreds & thousands of miles away! I've been telling myself I was over-reacting b/c DS is still going to be here, now I believe that it's a normal parent reaction to sending kids to college. What a relief! I am excited, proud, nervous, happy and sad all at the same time. Best wishes to all of you and your kids in this life changing journey!

 

[krcit]

Thought I would give this thread a bump. DD leaves one month from today.

Is anyone else going through a whole slew of different emotions? I am so happy for her and can't wait to have her start on this new part of her life. On the other hand, I am so sad and I feel like a part of my life is coming to an end. That sounds so dramatic! I promise that on the surface I appear fine, but this is going to be very hard for me. I hope she absolutely loves this new journey, but I am nervous, anxious, and worried at the same time. A big part of me wishes I could have just left her at orientation last week so I can just get this process started. Instead, it is just looming over me. I know I will be fine once she is settled, but since I know it is inevitable, I almost want it to get here sooner rather than later. So am I the only one in some weird emotional vortex at the moment?

I feel exactly the same!!! I cried leaving her at orientation for 24 hours...lol. I really am excited for her but am struggling with how hard this adjustment will be for all of us.

 

[corpcomp]

I feel exactly the same!!! I cried leaving her at orientation for 24 hours...lol. I really am excited for her but am struggling with how hard this adjustment will be for all of us.

The drive from CT to GA is 15 hours. With all his stuff, we need to drive him down. Dropping off for Orientation right before start of classes is not the issue. The drive back will be horrible with DW sitting there crying the whole way. Any further visits will be by plane. I will cry once I'm home, in the privacy of the bathroom.

 

[mom2travel]

I really wish our first to go was a girl. I'm lost on what to suggest to my son for his room. Anything I ask him about needing, he says no. Do you want some sort of mirror for your desk for putting in contacts (bathrooms are likely down the hall)? Nah. Do you want a rug in case your room isn't carpted? Nah. Do you want a fan in case the A/C isn't good enough? Nah. Do you want anything to hang on the wall? Nah. I'm really at a loss here. It took me a month just to get him to commit on new sneakers. So I think I just need to get some things and stop asking. But I just don't know what is typical for boys.

Anybody out there with boys previously away at school have suggestions?

Haha! I feel the same way. So far all DS has purchased are 2 sheet sets and a mattress cover! Hopefully he'll find out this week who his roommate is, and they can plan some of the shared stuff.

I know guys don't generally want/need all the things girls choose to buy, but certainly he needs more than he has. Our DS has agreed to a trunk he can padlock; we just need to confirm what size will fit. I told him we need to sit down together this week and figure out what all he should buy now and what can wait & see.
I can't decide if it'll be harder or easier when it's DD's turn - certainly more expensive!

And I'm torn along with everyone else - really happy for and proud of DS. But will also miss him like crazy!

 

[Southernmiss]

I really wish our first to go was a girl. I'm lost on what to suggest to my son for his room. Anything I ask him about needing, he says no. Do you want some sort of mirror for your desk for putting in contacts (bathrooms are likely down the hall)? Nah. Do you want a rug in case your room isn't carpted? Nah. Do you want a fan in case the A/C isn't good enough? Nah. Do you want anything to hang on the wall? Nah. I'm really at a loss here. It took me a month just to get him to commit on new sneakers. So I think I just need to get some things and stop asking. But I just don't know what is typical for boys.

Anybody out there with boys previously away at school have suggestions?

Got DS a cheapy gray rug at Walmart for his dorm room. His bedding was black with gray. His dorm room had a bathroom with separate sink area so that one could be in the bathroom and another at the sink. Room was centrally climate controlled and there was really no need for a fan. His girlfriend at the time painted him a picture. He hung that on the wall. He did want a blank dry erase calendar for the wall to keep up with his "stuff". He also used a blank dry erase board for other notes, etc.

He used command hooks like crazy-not enough of those. Not really sure what he did with them all, but did say that if you left one on the wall over "damage" then you wouldn't get chaged for room damage. He did that and his roommate ripped it down with the first layer of sheetrock paper. so they shared a $30 dorm damage fee.

His room was pretty basic and really the guys don't decorate like the girls do. Not as fun for mom, but it is what it is.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Yeah, boys aren't as much "fun", but not nearly as expensive, either! My DD can't walk through Target without finding another $100 worth of stuff she needs! She really wants an end table, but I don't know if she'll have bunkbeds, being in a triple.

The good news is, Matriculation Day is a week after she moves in, and we'll go out for that (2 hours away). I can bring anything she needs. Plus, there's a Bed, Bath, and Beyond, literally 2 blocks from campus, and she got a gift card for graduation.

I also set her up with a checking account with a debit card, linked to her savings account, and a credit card here. Our local bank has branches near her school, and this way, we have a way to deposit money for her or manage anything if she needs us to. And it gives her a few weeks to get used to having these items before she's totally on her own. The credit card scares her--not sure why, she has no issue using mine, ha ha...