High School Class of 2016/College Class 2020

[Aliceacc]

She is currently living with my parents and will probably continue to do so. She comes over and spends the night here about once or twice a week.

Snoodledoo, how are things going?


OK, I'm in the process of putting together a December care package for my son. I'm thinking I'll mail it a day or so before he gets home for Thanksgiving, so it will arrive a day or so after he gets back to school. Here's what I have so far:
- an 18" Christmas tree with ornaments. It's the size of a desk lamp, he can fit it anywhere
- a down type vest (need to hit Old Navy today to pick it up) with gloves and a hat. He didn't wear a real coat at all last year except to shovel, but he also didn't have to walk outside to get breakfast.
- a small "Santa countdown"-- which he'll either put up or give away. It was $4, so it's no loss either way
- a giant (12"??) tootsie roll
- 4 tiny Christmas stockings-- his name, his roommates, and "Naughty or Nice" either for his suitemates or as doubles for him and his roommate. One suitemate has a unique name, the other is a recent addition and I don't know his name.
- Christmas window clings
- canned soup, still have to pick some up
- Any other munchies I can fit in.

 

[Kimberlyann11]

DDs already had her concentration change. Her major is still allied health but the concentration is now physician's assistant instead of speech therapy. She changed her minor from spanish to latin american studies. Her honors sequence instructor is the head of the LAS department and is helping her juggle classes around and get the minor and still graduate in four years. The pre-PA program is so intense that they don't require a minor, but the honors kids have a lot of leeway in how they meet the general studies requirement. Her honors professor seems like a wonderful guy. She spends a lot of time in his office hours - he's the type that you can walk in and pour yourself a cup of coffee.

Right now she's visiting a friend in a nearby school. About five of them from different schools are converging on the one friends apartment for the whole weekend. She sent some pics and it looks like she may be having a teeny bit too much fun - lol - but I know she's glad to see her friends. Her physical therapy is going well - however the PT wants to continue it for a few more weeks. She said she doesn't hate it. - her PT is like Dr McDreamy and there's a little kid who comes in at the same time she does who she adores.

I also want to mention that something happened Thursday night that I can't talk about. But right now I am so proud of her my heart could explode.

 

[punkin]

I've got nothing major to report, which is good news. DD's whole campus is up in arms about the election, but it's too political to discuss here. Her remaining classes are going well, but it is obvious academics are not her primary focus right now. She is having fun! She signed up for classes for next semester, and while 3 of them make sense, 1 is totally out of left field. I really don't want another W on her record, so I hope she reconsiders. In addition to academic classes, she signed up for private music lessons and a music ensemble, which gives her 1 academic credit.

 

[sk!mom]

On a totally unrelated note: I'm thinking of sending my son a small (2ft??) prelit tabletop Christmas tree for his dorm room. I'll order just before Thanksgiving so he'll get it afterwards. Any suggestions?

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Homegear...hristmas-Tree-Xmas-Decoration-Silver/45463530 DD has one similar to this in red. It is tall and skinny so it fit well in her freshman dorm and she still uses it in her apartment. It collapses super compactly into an easy to store box.

I've got nothing major to report, which is good news. DD's whole campus is up in arms about the election, but it's too political to discuss here. Her remaining classes are going well, but it is obvious academics are not her primary focus right now. She is having fun! She signed up for classes for next semester, and while 3 of them make sense, 1 is totally out of left field. I really don't want another W on her record, so I hope she reconsiders. In addition to academic classes, she signed up for private music lessons and a music ensemble, which gives her 1 academic credit.

Agree that it's too political to discuss but my DD's college had a couple of days of peaceful protest.

 

[Monykalyn]

@Aliceacc what great advice and love your humor.
@snoodledoo - I am late to the party but happy things seem to be settling out for now. I, too, was ready to quit college about 2 years in. I went to college because it was drilled in me it was the thing to do. Problem was I didn't know what I wanted to do. Tried about 10 different majors and was ready to quit from frustration as nothing felt right. My boyfriend (now husband) had seen a Disney recruiting poster and talked me into applying. Best decision ever. I got a semester off to play and and reevaluate. Graduated 2.5 years later with a degree I love and a field I still practice in (20+ years). My oldest DD has always known what she wants to do (kid has been collecting rocks since she could walk so no surprise she is geology major) but not everyone knows what their passion is when high school is over. Formulate a plan and road map and go from there. Hope things really are better now.

@Kimberlyann11 PA is a GREAT field to be in! I am allied health (dietitian) and the PA's I work with are just great. If I were younger (or more ambitious at this stage of my life LOL) I would go back and become a PA.

I did order my DD a finals care package through a university sponsored site-but they deliver to the dorms so hope it is not a big imposition. She also gets her Try the World snack boxes monthly and she LOVES those, although probably pricier than if I did it myself. OTOH-it is one less thing for me to remember every month.

She has surprised me by embracing some of the aspects of a "big" college campus life-Example-she likes going to the football games! She is at the AR/LSU game right now. She really didn't care about any of that in HS...but enjoys the camaraderie in college!

 

[gemini2727]

Lol, same here! My daughter has been going to her school's football/basketball games and has even started playing basketball with her friends for fun. I'm thinking, who is this person??
I'm really happy for her, college so far has definitely broadened her horizons

 

[snoodledoo]

Snoodledoo, how are things going?

Thanks for asking. I guess things are going ok. DD is looking for a job. She seems to be in good spirits. I am still a little down.
We met up with the parents of 3 of her friends from HS volleyball . Of course everyone gives updates on what the girls are up to. The others are all doing great at their colleges, which I'm very happy for them, but also makes me feel sad and embarrassed about the choice DD made.

 

[gemini2727]

Snoodledoo, I can understand feeling that way, even though you have nothing at all to be embarrassed about. Give yourself time to be sad about losing the vision you had for your daughter, and trust she'll find her own way.

 

[punkin]

Snoodledoo, hang in there. There are many paths in life. As long as she's in good spirits, everything will turn out. (hugs)

 

[Aliceacc]

You raised a good kid who is simply finding her way. It may not be the same way as the kids of your friends, but it's her way.

 

[punkin]

So how much weight should professor ratings be given when choosing classes for next semester? there's a philosophy class DD wants to take, but the professor's ratings suck.

 

[mjkacmom]

Ugh, ds wants to move off campus with 4 other guys next year, in a house by the frat and sports houses. $2500 a month for a little crappy house (not including utilities). He's doing really well this semester, but is a pretty social guy. He likes his current roommate, but they don't hang out much (his roommate is gay, and they have different friends). We agreed to pay for his first year (same deal for all 5 kids, up to $30,000), so it's not like we can say no, since it will be his dime.

 

[mjkacmom]

So how much weight should professor ratings be given when choosing classes for next semester? there's a philosophy class DD wants to take, but the professor's ratings suck.

I would say a lot?

 

[Kimberlyann11]

So how much weight should professor ratings be given when choosing classes for next semester? there's a philosophy class DD wants to take, but the professor's ratings suck.

Where are you getting the ratings? If it's something like ratemyprofessor.com, read them and try to consider factors such as what class your kids are taking and what grade the reviewers got in those classes, when they list them. My DDs honor sequence professor had some horrible ratings from kids that are taking his regular history classes. The kids that are taking his 12 credit monster of an honors sequence class love him. Maybe he feels more invested in the honors kids, or maybe they are more interested in the class because they chose it from a list of subjects and aren't just taking it to meet a requirement - no telling, but either way it's something to keep in mind.

 

[punkin]

Yes, it's from rate my professor. he has 3 bad reviews and one good one. not really a good statistical sample.

 

[Kimberlyann11]

Lol - my green-eyed DD just texted me and told me she is doing a project that requires green-screen and it's keying out her eyes.

 

[punkin]

Back to the health center...bad itchy rash. They tested her for scarlet fever, but instant strep test is negative. Not surprising since she just got off an antibiotic last week. They put her on prednisone. I am not happy. She's been sick with one thing or another since September. I need to find her a real doctor.

 

[mjkacmom]

Back to the health center...bad itchy rash. They tested her for scarlet fever, but instant strep test is negative. Not surprising since she just got off an antibiotic last week. They put her on prednisone. I am not happy. She's been sick with one thing or another since September. I need to find her a real doctor.

It's completely normal, just like when kids are in daycare. They are all in close quarters, and there are tons of germs. I find it gets better each year. I call it the college crud, dd20 went through so much DayQuil/nightquil that first semester, with many visits to the clinic. She had mostly throat infections, ds18 has had 2 so far.

 

[okeydokey]

Yes, it's from rate my professor. he has 3 bad reviews and one good one. not really a good statistical sample.

Most kids pleased with a professor will not go online to rate them. If you did poorly in the class and are disgruntled at the professor then you will go online to rate them harshly. Better to get actual feedback from people who had this professor by asking those you know what they think. Or is there a facebook group for this college that she can post the question?

 

[punkin]

Most kids pleased with a professor will not go online to rate them. If you did poorly in the class and are disgruntled at the professor then you will go online to rate them harshly. Better to get actual feedback from people who had this professor by asking those you know what they think. Or is there a facebook group for this college that she can post the question?

I'll have to ask her. She's leaning to taking this class anyway. We'll have to figure things out when she's home this week. Another issue is that she's planning to take 19 credits next semester. I whish she would slow down.

It's completely normal, just like when kids are in daycare. They are all in close quarters, and there are tons of germs. I find it gets better each year. I call it the college crud, dd20 went through so much DayQuil/nightquil that first semester, with many visits to the clinic. She had mostly throat infections, ds18 has had 2 so far.

I have a doctor's appointment already scheduled for her when she comes home Wednesday. She's never been sickly, even in kindergarten. I'm just upset that she's too far away for me to go and take care of her.