High School class of 2011

[agnes!]

DD & I drove from the Mid-Atlantic to Nashville in two segments, stopping overnight in Bristol VA, took us about 11-12 hours total including rest stops & driver changes.

Stayed in the Renaissance Marriott hotel in downtown Nashville, got a GREAT AAA rate, for some reason this place was cheaper this time than the Courtyard we've stayed at in the past.

DH flew down separately, couldn't take the time off work to drive with us...besides we really didn't have room for another person. That Prius was *packed*.

D-Day/Move-In Day was Friday and the school did a fantastic job.

Per their instructions, we had all of DD's stuff labeled with her name, Room # and dorm. We also had a check-in card and a hang tag on our rearview mirror identifying our time-slot and day. We drove up to campus, went up to the first alley with 'This way to Parking' signs and that gentleman pointed us to around the corner where one of Nashville's finest directed us into a parking lane. We checked in with the head of Residential Life (yes, the man was out in that dusty construction zone helping to direct traffic) and then drove up onto campus where...

we were swarmed by cheering and helpful college students! It was great, they took EVERYTHING up to DD's 4th Floor room, her stuff got there before she did! There was a lot of slicing and dicing of the furniture and by Saturday night (the one roomie moved in Friday before DD, the other one moved in Saturday afternoon), the three girls came up with a floorplan that works for them. One bed is lofted, the other two are bunked. In addition to the provided furniture (3 dressers, 3 beds, 3 desks, 3 deskchairs) they also fit a dorm fridge, a microwave, a 27" TV, various hampers/lamps/trash cans. DD's folding desk hutch I found at The Container Store worked out great (DD really needs the shelf-space for all her textbooks) and some over-door coat-hooks help with coats & jackets.

Getting the books delivered to her room worked pretty well. The Bookstore did mess up one of her sets of books, somehow she got some books for another class in her boxes (and we got billed for them too!) No worries - she is going to return them on Saturday after a week of classes (in case there are any other mistakes in her other subjects) and probably end up getting a refund after everything works out.

We even came back late on Saturday from our Target run and the Res Life fellow let us drive into the Move-In slots and our new stuff also got swarmed up to the room.

DD & I have been texting back and forth while she's been doing all the Freshman Week things - they had floor meetings, sundae parties, community service, campus security seminars and so on. They didn't feel the Mineral VA Earthquake yesterday but we texted back and forth quite a bit afterwards. We also tested Skype last night - it was great to see her and hear her voice.

Her first classes weren't until today. Yesterday some of her profs had already sent her syllabi for a few of her classes, she has some essays and a powerpoint due soon.
She just texted me about her first class, said it went ok and she's back in her room at the moment signing up for a talk by Maya Angelou .

DH & I sent a postcard Monday on our way to the airport and after he left on his business trip I got a care package together - a small rug she wanted from her room, a microwavable cooking dish and various little things. I went on Amazon and have ordered some additional things we couldn't find locally. Found some weighted bags that are intended to help hold GPS units down but she's going to use them to help steady her TV's pedestal-stand.

I'm doing pretty well, most of the time it just kind of feels like she's in the other room or is at class nearby. I'll tear up every so often and had a crying jag yesterday, doesn't help that it's just me and the cats (thank GOD for all our pets eh?). I am so grateful that she has kept in touch and that so far things seem to be going well.

agnes!

 

[kbeverina]

Dropped DS off last Tuesday..not heard anything since .. so I guess it is OK... did text him to ask the address - no answer..so texted GF - got a text back right away with his address.. figured she would now..

My current strategy is to have my husband send him a message. He ignores mine (like, did you pick up your prescriptions?) but he doesn't ignore my husband.

agnes--glad everything went well. My son had a man-cave in the basement from which he rarely emerged the last 6 months, so it's like that here, too, just seems like he's in the basement.

We talked to him Sunday and everything seems to be going great. He said the guys on his floor are all really tight and do everything together. That evening they were going to make "family dinner" in the kitchen and are thinking about pitching in to get a futon or something for out in the hall. There's a large space on one end that looks like there used to be desks there--there's a line of outlets halfway up the wall. So I guess they all hang out in that area.

I was really hoping there would be more facebook pictures he was tagged in so I could get a glimpse of what he was doing. Like, when we go on a cruise, he always gets tagged in other people's albums and I think, "Oh, that's what he was doing when I never saw him." So, either they aren't picture-takers or he has blocked me from seeing pictures he's tagged in.

 

[Jeafl]

I am having a hard time getting ANYTHING from my son. What we have heard is that he is healthy, loves his classes and his teachers, thinks his roommate is nice and that college sports are much more intense than high school sports. I guess that is all good news.

I did have a chuckle yesterday though. My best friend's youngest daughter is starting college as well. When they were moving her in on Saturday, her roommate was moving in at the same time. The roommate came in with TWO large suitcases of Victoria's Secret lingerie with the tags still on, three large trunks of clothes, custom made curtains for the room that match her custom made comforter set and a ton of hanging clothes. You know what she forgot?? All her school supplies! She sent the mom out to Target and TOLD her to pick her up some "paper and stuff".

I think my friend's daughter is in for an interesting year with THAT roommate!

 

[kbeverina]

haha--oh dear.

 

[minkydog]

I'm doing pretty well, most of the time it just kind of feels like she's in the other room or is at class nearby. I'll tear up every so often and had a crying jag yesterday, doesn't help that it's just me and the cats (thank GOD for all our pets eh?). I am so grateful that she has kept in touch and that so far things seem to be going well.

agnes!

I know what you mean. Since DD went to college I have really missed her. And her multitude of friends who were always at our house. And the weirdest thing? I've really been missing my DOG. Minky died in April and I handled that pretty well. But right now I'm really feeling the loss of my little girl and my old doggy. i havn't been able to go into her room at all. It's almost like a sort of death in the family, even though she communicates with us every day or two. DH and I are having to learn how to be without DD. But one of the unexpected advantages has been that I can cook what WE like to eat and not have to worry about making vegetarian food all the time. And we've made two day trips up to the mountains with Christian.

One more week 'til DD comes home for Labor Day.

 

[cruisnfamily]

I talked to DD today for 15 mins! This whole week I've only talked to her in 2 min increments, every other day so the 15 min call just to chat was great!

Regarding the pics on facebook, I know what you mean! I've been stalking facebook hoping for a glimpse of DD in pics!

Last night there were pics of a bunch of the kids on their floor(her included) all wearing camo clothing so I asked what that was about. She said one kid was wearing a camo shirt so another kid put one on and another and by the end of the evening everybody was wearing camo, lol! AND they had a "sleepover" in her suite last night. She said they were all up talking 'til like 3am in the hallway outside her room and then everybody got tired so the boys across the hall dragged their mattresses over to her living room area and they crashed there and DD and 2 roommates plus 1 extra girl all slept in their own beds. How fun!

She loves everything about it so far! Even the classes and has already done 2 weeks worth of math homework ahead as it was online and it was "easy" according to her.

Just happy to hear her voice and get a glimpse into her world!

 

[disykat]

And the weirdest thing? I've really been missing my DOG.

When I was growing up, my dog died three months before my older sister left for college. It was honestly one of the hardest days of my life and I still tear up thinking about it. I barely remember what I was thinking the day my dog actually died, but I sure remember that day. I missed my sister, I missed my dog, and I suddenly really felt the loss and realized my dog was never coming back and my life would never be the "same." Someone at school asked me if my sister had left that day and I burst into tears and said "and my dog died too!"

Now, I seem to be having a harder time with other milestones, than ds leaving. I didn't cry at ds's graduation but I cried a few weeks later taking my younger son to get his driver's license!

It's hard enough mourning each thing without having to re-mourn all the other stuff too!

 

[minkydog]

When I was growing up, my dog died three months before my older sister left for college. It was honestly one of the hardest days of my life and I still tear up thinking about it. I barely remember what I was thinking the day my dog actually died, but I sure remember that day. I missed my sister, I missed my dog, and I suddenly really felt the loss and realized my dog was never coming back and my life would never be the "same." Someone at school asked me if my sister had left that day and I burst into tears and said "and my dog died too!"

Now, I seem to be having a harder time with other milestones, than ds leaving. I didn't cry at ds's graduation but I cried a few weeks later taking my younger son to get his driver's license!

It's hard enough mourning each thing without having to re-mourn all the other stuff too!

I know! I got teary when my DD & I went to have our pedicures the week before she left. And the day after we got back from dropping her off, we found out that my 16yo, Christian, was approved to move into a group home so we could very well be empty nesters sooner than we thought. I've recenty had a resurgence of PTSD, too, from a bad wreck we had at Spring Break 2010 and I'm sure it has to do wth the multiple losses we've experienced this year.

 

[ctinct]

I know! I got teary when my DD & I went to have our pedicures the week before she left. And the day after we got back from dropping her off, we found out that my 16yo, Christian, was approved to move into a group home so we could very well be empty nesters sooner than we thought. I've recenty had a resurgence of PTSD, too, from a bad wreck we had at Spring Break 2010 and I'm sure it has to do wth the multiple losses we've experienced this year.

Hugs to you.

I dropped off my daughter on Wed. Check in was Wed. from 8 to 11:30. Up at 4:15, on the road a little after 5 am. We stopped at the Walmart in town to buy a case of water; we could not do that beforehand because there was absolutely no room in the car. As it was, my daughter made the whole 5 hr. drive with two bags around her feet, and we drove down the road with the water on her lap.

Check in was easy---a bunch of kids unloaded everything for us. I think it was less chaotic because we were one of the last arrivals. Her roommate was already there, with a lot of stuff...as in all over both desks and both beds. Hello! Everone is supposed to be there by 11:30...did you not think we were going to need that space? Luckily, there is a lot of storage under the bed, so both girls had plenty of room. Her roommate seems to be a little bit different than my daughter. My daughter's side of the closet is filled with jeans, jeans, and more jeans, while her roommate's side is all dresses and skirts.

If I had to do the whole thing over again, we would have driven down the night before and stayed in a hotel. The bank representative on campus left at one, so we did not have time to set that up, and I missed a few parent things because I was unpacking while my daughter attended a floor meeting. She was exhausted, and they kept those kids hopping with stuff till after 10 pm. They had outdoor lazer tag the next night, and she was still exhausted, so missed that, too.

That afternoon , the college held a very nice convocation ceremony. After the usual speeches and such, the class pinned on their class pins. The entire faculty walked up the steps of an elegant old building that served as a hospital during the Civil War, out the other side, and formed a corridor for the students to walk through, enthusiastically applauding the students as they walked through. I believe they make the same walk, but from the other direction, for graduation. I remember that William and Mary, another college we visited, has the same tradition. Parents were encouraged to leave after the ceremony, which I did, but I knew I was probably coming back the next morning. It was rough on my daughter. Both of us got a little teary on the ride down, but she was sobbing and asked me if she could just get in the car and go home with me. Sorry, honey, no.

I went to the grocery store and brought her water and junk food the next morning, so we had to say goodbye all over again. Running back to the store was another thing we hadn't had time for that first day. It wasn't as bad as the evening before, but she was saying over and over that she didn't know a single person, besides her roommate.

The next couple of days seem to have gone well. There is a volunteering day for those who signed up, and she taught line dancing and served food at a senior center. That evening, the entire class makes their "First Year Walk" to a very famous cemetary where a President once gave a very famous address. She said it was kind of cool because the townspeople were on roofs and hanging out of windows to cheer them on.

She has been kept very busy with floor and dorm meetings, and she plans on going to an improv show and a movie tonight with some new friends. I'm sure there will be rough times ahead when the homesickness strikes, but it seems she is off to a good start. She is a little worried about me and my date with Irene tonight and tomorrow, though. I sure hope the phone lines don't go down, because I'm pretty sure the electricity will, and I want to be able to get in touch with her to let her know I'm ok.

Classes start Monday. I think it will take me two or three weeks for the loneliness to really hit me. I guess I will have to listen to the professor who spoke at convocation with five rules for students (GET to class; GET to know your professors, GET involved, GET off campus, and GET some sleep.) There was one rule for parents- it's time now to GET a life. Guess I'm gonna try. I'm extremely happy for her, but I'm going to miss my baby. Only 54 days till I go down for parents weekend, which also happens to be her 18th birthday.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Saw some pics of the mirrors in my daughter's bathroom and thought of another care package idea.....glass markers! The ones people use to write on car windows...well apparently they're writing all over their mirrors up at school. I'm thinking maybe some windex wipes to go along with them, hehe

 

[MichelleVW]

Moved DD into her dorm at Stephen F Austin yesterday. It was a crazy long day, but it went really well. We made it there in good time, ate some chick fil a. Then found her dorm (after driving around the campus for a few lost). Found a parking spot not too far away (it was a paid parking lot, but they weren't charging for move in). Picked up her parking pass and then went to check into her dorm.

Check in went really well. Not many people checking in at that time (1pm) and we were in her room within 15 minutes or less. Met her roommate who seems really nice and then started moving her stuff in. I learned from her sister's dorm experience that we didn't need that much stuff, so moving her things in was pretty easy. Only took a few trips and she easily fit everything into her little corolla.

After move in we did the Walmart trip and picked up some snacks/poptarts/etc for her room, plus school supplies and other things she needed. We bought shampoo/conditioner/soap and that stuff there rather than bring it from home. DH showed up to take me home after we got back from our Walmart/Sonic trip.

I wanted to stay and take her out to dinner, but we had a 4 hour drive home, I had a wicked headache and her friend from orientation was already in DD's room and they were going to go do "stuff". So I said my goodbyes and we left her in the care of her friend.

I didn't cry until we had been home about an hour...for some reason it hit me hard and I just lost it. Can't believe my baby is in college.

DD had some drama today buying her books since her financial aid hasn't all come through yet, but after a few phone calls from me to find out what was really going on, we got it all straightened out and she calmed down and was able to get her books. She went around and found her classes today and hung out with her roommate.

Classes start tomorrow and I know she's excited! We will be going up to see her for parents weekend Sep 24th....can't wait!!

 

[MichelleVW]

DD's 1/2 of the dorm room.

DD and her first college friend (DD has on the tank top).

 

[cruisnfamily]

So today is day one of week 2 for DD. So far, so good. She's really loving college life! The Sorority rush starts tonight....we'll see how that goes.

How're everybody else's kids doing?

 

[golfgal]

DD's 1/2 of the dorm room.

DD and her first college friend (DD has on the tank top).

I was going to comment on how much your DD has changed but then I realized this is your younger DD. You are an empty nester now, how is that going so far??

 

[MichelleVW]

I was going to comment on how much your DD has changed but then I realized this is your younger DD. You are an empty nester now, how is that going so far??

Just one small breakdown Saturday night, but for the most part it's ok so far!

 

[johnsontrio]

We moved DD yesterday and it went very well. We had everything we needed and not much we didn't need. It took us about 30 minutes to haul everything in and about 5 hours to set everything up. I'm deciding whether I want to call it the Barbie Dream Dorm or The HGTV Dream Dorm 2011. She moved in early to go on a 3 day retreat so there were only about 30 kids moving in. There will be 700 tomorrow. She was very nervous on the drive to school, turned up the Eminem and ignored me. Thank God it's only a 15 minute ride! Her friend was texting her telling her how nervous she was and that only made DD more nervous. She called me tonight from teh retreat to see how I'm doing and asked if I was sad. I'm hanging in there and reminding myself that this is what's best for her.

 

[Jeafl]

I don't know if it is a girl vs. boy thing, but I hardly hear from my son. My older daughter used to email or text at least every day or two but we have only heard from my son twice since Aug. 17, and once was because he needed some info from us.

In any case, he loves school, loves his cross country coach and teammates, said that math and physics are ridiculously easy and basically a review of last year, started his tutoring job which he likes and really likes the food. I guess we can't ask for much more than that.

Oh, and a girl named Kerrianne introduced herself the first day and has asked to run with him every morning. She also invited him over to watch the VMA's. Hmmm...

 

[golfgal]

I don't know if it is a girl vs. boy thing, but I hardly hear from my son. My older daughter used to email or text at least every day or two but we have only heard from my son twice since Aug. 17, and once was because he needed some info from us.

In any case, he loves school, loves his cross country coach and teammates, said that math and physics are ridiculously easy and basically a review of last year, started his tutoring job which he likes and really likes the food. I guess we can't ask for much more than that.

Oh, and a girl named Kerrianne introduced herself the first day and has asked to run with him every morning. She also invited him over to watch the VMA's. Hmmm...

Boy/Girl thing...We heard from DS19 when we called him . DS16 is going to be the same way. We expect to talk to him when he is home for breaks. DD will be texting/calling all the time for silly stuff like if someone dropped all their books or whatever. All of our friends have said the same things, boys never call/text, girls do all the time.

 

[MichelleVW]

I don't know if it is a girl vs. boy thing, but I hardly hear from my son. My older daughter used to email or text at least every day or two but we have only heard from my son twice since Aug. 17, and once was because he needed some info from us.

I'm waiting to see how often I talk to youngest DD. So far I've talked to her every day, but it's mostly since she has had questions about things. She doesn't like to talk on the phone as much as her sister and when she would go to her dad's in the summer I would hardly hear from her. Her sister on the other hand is starting her 3rd year in college and pretty much freaks if we don't talk every day.

 

[disykat]

I've been TELLING my son I expect at least one phone call a week and, at the beginning, a few extra texts here and there.

I have an excuse that will force him to call me the day after we drop him off. We drop him off on a Friday (the 23rd) and we'll go back (the school is about 1 1/2 hrs away) on Sunday for convocation. He'll need to call us or text us on Saturday if he comes up with anything he forgot.