High School Class of 2016/College Class 2020

[indimom]

DD will have a dining plan at her school, like most, but hers works in straight dollar values, not "meal credits." We got the middle of the road plan, but she will be spending most weekends on campus due to the distance. DD tries to eat healthy most of the time. I'd love any suggestions on healthy meal options (not snacks) which she can store in the room/dorm fridge.

 

[WVMomof3]

It is now showing as departing Louisville, again. Lets hope it goes in the right direction this time. LOL

 

[gemini2727]

DD will have a dining plan at her school, like most, but hers works in straight dollar values, not "meal credits." We got the middle of the road plan, but she will be spending most weekends on campus due to the distance. DD tries to eat healthy most of the time. I'd love any suggestions on healthy meal options (not snacks) which she can store in the room/dorm fridge.

Does she have access to a microwave?

 

[sk!mom]

In the dorm Freshman year, DD kept...
Greek yogurt
cereal and milk
baby carrots
grapes
peanut butter
bananas

She was 4 hours away so on campus most weekends, as well. She typically slept in on Saturday and Sunday so never went to a dining hall for breakfast. She'd usually eat a yogurt or cereal when she got up. She normally went out Friday and Saturday nights and would then eat those leftovers on Sunday. Or she and her roommate liked to order in pizza or Chinese on Sunday nights.

 

[Eeyooore]

Interesting hearing all your stories of moving into dorms! My two aren't interested in dorm living at this time, so they're commuting. They have four options: driving, public transportation, commuter rail, and carpooling. They've been exploring all of them this summer to figure out times, traffic patterns and costs, etc. Although they're going to the same school, their schedules are very different so they'll be going in separately on most days, probably.

For graduation, DD wanted a full size bed and to do her room over. She did most of it herself, purging most of her childhood things, and made a beautiful Zen-like space which she loves! I think she'll get a lot of work done there without a lot of stress. She'll keep the jobs she loves and with which makes good money. (Her goal is to buy a condo she has her eye on shortly after college graduation, which we wholeheartedly support!) We started a while ago making sure she isn't relying on us, so she's been taking care of business matters herself and doing her own laundry, cooking for herself, etc. She's already figured out where all her classes are and knows the campus well as she's been going there since she was in middle school. She's still getting involved in activities at school - she's attending a party before school starts and enrolled in the gym this summer, etc. She's happy. DS is still heavily involved in summer sports and working too, but he's chipping away at things, as well. Both are happy with their choices, but we'll continue to re-evaluate as time goes on. He'll be playing his sport in college so his days will be long, but he's up for the challenge.

Who else is commuting?

My daughter is. Feels like she is the only one, as all of her friends are living on campus, even those staying in-state. But she's a homebody and its just not for her. Glad to hear she's not the only one!

 

[indimom]

Does she have access to a microwave?

Sorry I didn't respond sooner. Yes, she will have a microwave and fridge. But, her dorm does not have a kitchenette (not even a community one), so she's limited to those two appliances.

In the dorm Freshman year, DD kept...
Greek yogurt
cereal and milk
baby carrots
grapes
peanut butter
bananas

She was 4 hours away so on campus most weekends, as well. She typically slept in on Saturday and Sunday so never went to a dining hall for breakfast. She'd usually eat a yogurt or cereal when she got up. She normally went out Friday and Saturday nights and would then eat those leftovers on Sunday. Or she and her roommate liked to order in pizza or Chinese on Sunday nights.

Thanks for the suggestions.
DD loves milk so she was planning to try storing a small jug
She is bringing PB2, flavored tuna packets, and flat out wraps.
Cheese sticks. Yogurt and Granola.
She's planning to keep some fruit and veggies also.
But we're pretty much blank after that.
And I know she'll get sick of eating "healthy" from the room if she doesn't have some variety to her options.
I figure there has got to be more options, but I'm really blank. lol.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

It is now showing as departing Louisville, again. Lets hope it goes in the right direction this time. LOL

I hope you get it soon! DD's (and DS's) was delivered to our home this morning, she ordered it Monday afternoon. Not bad! She's been setting it up today.

 

[jetskigrl]

OK - my vent for today ;-) DD moves into her dorm room in 10 days but she has not received any information regarding her room number, scheduled arrival time (they must arrive at the pre-arranged time) or her roommate. They sent an email back on the 25th of July saying that the room agreement and deposit were due and that they would be sending the room/roommate information starting August 1 (if they have completed the forms). DD completed everything the same day, and still nothing from the school. She emailed them Monday at the main housing email address to see if she was missing anything and no response. I realize that it is a brand new dorm and we understood not being able to even tour it yet, because of construction (we have seen pictures though). But this seems like it is cutting it too close to move in day. She is supposed to have renters insurance the day she moves in but she doesn't even have a room number/mailing address to use yet. I guess I will see if I can just add her on as an additional policy on my homeowner's insurance.

She asked on her facebook group if anyone else has received theirs and a couple said they had (but only 1 received it without contacting the Housing Director directly). Many others have not received anything yet either.

 

[gemini2727]

OK - my vent for today ;-) DD moves into her dorm room in 10 days but she has not received any information regarding her room number, scheduled arrival time (they must arrive at the pre-arranged time) or her roommate. They sent an email back on the 25th of July saying that the room agreement and deposit were due and that they would be sending the room/roommate information starting August 1 (if they have completed the forms). DD completed everything the same day, and still nothing from the school. She emailed them Monday at the main housing email address to see if she was missing anything and no response. I realize that it is a brand new dorm and we understood not being able to even tour it yet, because of construction (we have seen pictures though). But this seems like it is cutting it too close to move in day. She is supposed to have renters insurance the day she moves in but she doesn't even have a room number/mailing address to use yet. I guess I will see if I can just add her on as an additional policy on my homeowner's insurance.

She asked on her facebook group if anyone else has received theirs and a couple said they had (but only 1 received it without contacting the Housing Director directly). Many others have not received anything yet either.

ugh, that's frustrating! As if starting school isn't stressful enough...Even if there are delays, I know things happen, they could at least keep you in the loop. The lack of communication is not right.

 

[jetskigrl]

ugh, that's frustrating! As if starting school isn't stressful enough...Even if there are delays, I know things happen, they could at least keep you in the loop. The lack of communication is not right.

Yes, that is the part that is really frustrating. At least tell us what is going on.

Well that, and doing everything in my power to make sure I let DD handle it on her own I just want to jump in and send emails or call for her (so hard not to just do it for her) She seems to be taking it in stride though

 

[mjkacmom]

OK - my vent for today ;-) DD moves into her dorm room in 10 days but she has not received any information regarding her room number, scheduled arrival time (they must arrive at the pre-arranged time) or her roommate. They sent an email back on the 25th of July saying that the room agreement and deposit were due and that they would be sending the room/roommate information starting August 1 (if they have completed the forms). DD completed everything the same day, and still nothing from the school. She emailed them Monday at the main housing email address to see if she was missing anything and no response. I realize that it is a brand new dorm and we understood not being able to even tour it yet, because of construction (we have seen pictures though). But this seems like it is cutting it too close to move in day. She is supposed to have renters insurance the day she moves in but she doesn't even have a room number/mailing address to use yet. I guess I will see if I can just add her on as an additional policy on my homeowner's insurance.

She asked on her facebook group if anyone else has received theirs and a couple said they had (but only 1 received it without contacting the Housing Director directly). Many others have not received anything yet either.

Dd20's dorm address was a PO box number at a building on campus where everyone's mail was delivered from her campus. We never did insurance, so I don't remember when we got it.

 

[Arkansan]

I've been reading along for months, but this is my first post! Congrats to all our kids!

Our insurance agent said that our homeowners insurance would cover DD as long as she was in a dorm. Once she gets an apartment, she would need her own renter's insurance. She also said to call her a week before DD goes to school so she can adjust DD's car insurance, as she will be in school in MN and will not have a car on campus--we live in PA. May be worth it to check with your insurance companies if your kids are not going to have cars with them.

 

[Pembo]

I've been reading along for months, but this is my first post! Congrats to all our kids!

Our insurance agent said that our homeowners insurance would cover DD as long as she was in a dorm. Once she gets an apartment, she would need her own renter's insurance. She also said to call her a week before DD goes to school so she can adjust DD's car insurance, as she will be in school in MN and will not have a car on campus--we live in PA. May be worth it to check with your insurance companies if your kids are not going to have cars with them.

Our homeowners covers our kids in a dorm as well. I did have to get a policy for my ds #1 who is moving into an off campus apartment this year.

jetskigirl - DS is moving into a dorm that is 1 year old. We visited recently and the manager was telling us that last year, the first year, was a mess. They didn't officially get the keys to the dorm until move in day. He said they had everyone scheduled to move in on the same day and it was pretty crazy. This year they are much more organized. That said, they are slow to getting information out.

DS#2 moves in next Tuesday. I think we've got everything we need except for a grocery store run. This is such an emotion filled time!!! Good luck to everyone and don't forget the kleenex for the final goodbye... It's harder than you think.

 

[jetskigrl]

I've been reading along for months, but this is my first post! Congrats to all our kids!

Our insurance agent said that our homeowners insurance would cover DD as long as she was in a dorm. Once she gets an apartment, she would need her own renter's insurance. She also said to call her a week before DD goes to school so she can adjust DD's car insurance, as she will be in school in MN and will not have a car on campus--we live in PA. May be worth it to check with your insurance companies if your kids are not going to have cars with them.

thanks - we are going to check with our insurance agent (they cover both our house and cars). DD's school has asked that they not bring cars, if possible, since the residence hall is new but the parking structure is not (lol - too many cars on campus now). Since she is not too far, she may leave her car at home a lot. But I will definitely check if our homeowner's policy covers her dorm room. That will make things a lot easier

Welcome to the group!!

Our homeowners covers our kids in a dorm as well. I did have to get a policy for my ds #1 who is moving into an off campus apartment this year.

jetskigirl - DS is moving into a dorm that is 1 year old. We visited recently and the manager was telling us that last year, the first year, was a mess. They didn't officially get the keys to the dorm until move in day. He said they had everyone scheduled to move in on the same day and it was pretty crazy. This year they are much more organized. That said, they are slow to getting information out.

DS#2 moves in next Tuesday. I think we've got everything we need except for a grocery store run. This is such an emotion filled time!!! Good luck to everyone and don't forget the kleenex for the final goodbye... It's harder than you think.

Thanks so much! I'm just going to try and keep my patience in check. I'm sure they are going crazy figuring out the new facilities. The old housing was an apartment building down the block so this is the first time having it located on campus (and a brand new building). I'm sure DD will be fine if she doesn't find out her roommates until move in. They will still have a week before school starts to work out what mutual items they need to purchase, etc. And since we haven't even seen the room yet, I'm just going to hold off on a lot of the storage items until she gets in and we get a really good look at how much space there is.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Well today is the day we send in the first checks for school.

That is all.



PS I am amazed at how small and light that MacBook computer is!

 

[WVMomof3]

The macbook came yesterday! Yay, no more trips to Alaska. LOL She is supposed to move in tomorrow AM. It looks like her room exploded into the adjoining area. She has stuff everywhere and nothing ready to load into car. I am thinking she will not sleep tonight. I keep trying to help, but sometimes just have to walk away. It is a disaster area. Ughhh

 

[jetskigrl]

The macbook came yesterday! Yay, no more trips to Alaska. LOL She is supposed to move in tomorrow AM. It looks like her room exploded into the adjoining area. She has stuff everywhere and nothing ready to load into car. I am thinking she will not sleep tonight. I keep trying to help, but sometimes just have to walk away. It is a disaster area. Ughhh

Woo hoo!! I'm glad that the computer made it! LOL - we have a small apartment attached to our garage and DD's dorm room supplies have taken over the living room there (usually her art studio). She hasn't even started packing clothes yet.

I can't wait to hear how the move-in goes

I'm way too tired to do the math, lol, but I think one of the kids said, from the time the oldest started kindergarten and the youngest graduates from high school, we will have had a child in school for 33 straight years.

I only have two kids (5 years apart) but if DS graduates college in 4 years, I will have had kids in school for 22 years, including college though (23 if you count pre-school, LOL). Wow - 33 years!

 

[wishesuponastar]

Apologize if this has been asked but did you get some kind of laptop lockbox or safe? Daughter is leaning more towards a safe as she also wants to put her purse and wallet besides laptop. The safe that we were looking at though weighs 80 lbs yikes!

 

[punkin]

Apologize if this has been asked but did you get some kind of laptop lockbox or safe? Daughter is leaning more towards a safe as she also wants to put her purse and wallet besides laptop. The safe that we were looking at though weighs 80 lbs yikes!

I didn't fit my older one (graduated college in 2014). I probably won't for this one either. As long as she remembers to lock her room, we should be fine. Is there a particular crime problem at this college? Some are more problematic than others.

 

[mom2rtk]

I didn't fit my older one (graduated college in 2014). I probably won't for this one either. As long as she remembers to lock her room, we should be fine. Is there a particular crime problem at this college? Some are more problematic than others.

I think this is more of a concern for kids actually sharing a room. Many don't know their roommate well enough to know if they will be meticulous about locking the door every time.

We got our son a trunk with a lock. He could put anything he wanted in there. In reality I doubt he ever locked it, but he needed to know he could if he needed to.