High School Class of 2016/College Class 2020

[Worfiedoodles]

My DD is two years in. I love sending care packages. My favorite for Halloween is to mail a plastic Trick or Treat pumpkin filled with goodies- you know the $1 ones that they have in every store. No box- just fill it up, tuck the handle inside, tuck tissue paper on top then use clear packing tape to seal the hole. You just slap the packing label directly to the side of the pumpkin. Then enjoy the text, "What the heck mom! A pumpkin." I was skeptical the first year but the two I mailed got to two different colleges in two states without a problem. This years two are filled and ready to go next week.

What a great idea! I am totally going to use this one

 

[snoodledoo]

I'm so sorry.. I'm honestly terrified that I haven't heard much about grades. My daughter is very smart and capable, but is unorganized and can get lazy. Online grading and compassionate teachers went a LONG way in high school. Now I have no clue what is going on.

We told her at the beginning that if she lost her scholarship she would be home and going to community college. We are not paying full price for the university she is attending now. If she redeemed herself we would probably pay for a SUNY after that.

Is she close enough that you can go talk to her in person? Does she need tutoring or just a kick in the rear? I'm sure there are many support systems in place at school. My first condition would be that she utilized them or she doesn't go back next semester. Certainly extreme, but can you track her phone? We threatened that we would watch and make sure she went to class if we weren't sure.

Good luck!

She is in town, and we can talk to her, but she will be very angry that we are "checking up on her", "don't trust her", "she's an adult" blah blah blah. We can no longer track her phone - when she turned 18, she got her own phone and pays her monthly bill.

I would have a talk with her about it and try to find out exactly where she is with those classes and what the problem is. But in the end, she may have to face her own consequences.

We have a lot of students that transfer to us (community college) from university because flunking out or losing schloarships or letting their GPA get ridiculously low. Most of them say they just weren't ready for University or they over extended themselves. Make sure these aren't the reasons. And if they are, help her find out how to fix it.

She still has time to fix this semester but half the battle is figuring out whats going on and taking action while there is still time.

How many absences do they get before they are cut from the class? Is she aware of this number? Does being late count toward a absence? Some of our students seem to not always be aware of these numbers and then are shocked when they get cut.

Sounds like she is certainly capable. Hopefully after this little speed bump she will do fine. Loads of luck to both of you.

I think she is exploring this new level of freedom at college. She doesn't think it is a big deal to be late so why would anyone else think it's big deal.
We also don't know if she is even aware of her status. Does she even check her school email? I guess we will try and have a conversation with her and then it's up to her to fix things before it's too late.

 

[ski_mom]

My DD is two years in. I love sending care packages. My favorite for Halloween is to mail a plastic Trick or Treat pumpkin filled with goodies- you know the $1 ones that they have in every store. No box- just fill it up, tuck the handle inside, tuck tissue paper on top then use clear packing tape to seal the hole. You just slap the packing label directly to the side of the pumpkin. Then enjoy the text, "What the heck mom! A pumpkin." I was skeptical the first year but the two I mailed got to two different colleges in two states without a problem. This years two are filled and ready to go next week.

Do you just take it to the usps and have them weigh it and tell you how much it is to mail? Sounds so cute, but my post office will probably look at me like I'm crazy lol!

 

[sk!mom]

Do you just take it to the usps and have them weigh it and tell you how much it is to mail? Sounds so cute, but my post office will probably look at me like I'm crazy lol!

I feel you! I too am intimidated by the cranky pants at my local PO so I take them to Office Depot. The friendly college students there are happy to do it. I do mail them USPS.

I might just use the self serve kiosk this year. That's where I mail all of my other care packages.

I only use FedEx or UPS if I need something to her overnight. Their rates are higher but from my city to hers (4 hours away) there regular service gets there overnight. USPS normally takes 2-3 days for regular service.

After two years, I've mailed and tracked so many packages that I have it down. Care packages has apparently become one of my empty-nester hobbies.

 

[ski_mom]

I feel you! I am too intimidated by the cranky pants at my local PO so I take them to Office Depot. The friendly college students there are happy to do it. I do mail them USPS.

I might just use the self serve kiosk this year. That's where I mail all of my other care packages.

I only use FedEx or UPS if I need something to her overnight. There rates are higher but from my city to hers (4 hours away) there regular service gets there overnight. USPS normally takes 2-3 days for regular service.

After two years, I've mailed and tracked so many packages that I have it down. Care packages has apparently become one of my empty-nester hobbies.

Fun! I thought I'd do better with them. Oldest DD is a sophomore this year and I think I sent her 3 packages last year. I need to go better this year!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

sk!mom -- Could you give us some ideas for care packages? My DS is a very picky snacker, so I haven't been sending the ones offered through the university. I know he doesn't have a lot of storage space, so prefers consumables. I would love to hear what you have sent, you seem like a pro!

Maria

 

[punkin]

She is in town, and we can talk to her, but she will be very angry that we are "checking up on her", "don't trust her", "she's an adult" blah blah blah. We can no longer track her phone - when she turned 18, she got her own phone and pays her monthly bill.



I think she is exploring this new level of freedom at college. She doesn't think it is a big deal to be late so why would anyone else think it's big deal.
We also don't know if she is even aware of her status. Does she even check her school email? I guess we will try and have a conversation with her and then it's up to her to fix things before it's too late.

At least yours is close by. Mine is having issues 7 hours away.

 

[jetskigrl]

Wow - I think this thread dropped off my notifications (I haven't been here in a while). I hope everyone is still doing well I just wanted to share a quick, cute story. DD texted me yesterday at lunch to tell me that her school provided a "stress-relief" service for the end of mid-terms. It was a big pen full of puppies/dogs

She said they were so cute. The students could go inside the pen and just sit down and play with the puppies as much as they wanted. She said she was going to stop back by on her way to class to see them again.

Wow - my college never did anything like that

 

[indimom]

Wow - I think this thread dropped off my notifications (I haven't been here in a while). I hope everyone is still doing well I just wanted to share a quick, cute story. DD texted me yesterday at lunch to tell me that her school provided a "stress-relief" service for the end of mid-terms. It was a big pen full of puppies/dogs

She said they were so cute. The students could go inside the pen and just sit down and play with the puppies as much as they wanted. She said she was going to stop back by on her way to class to see them again.

Wow - my college never did anything like that

DD's college does the same thing. Shelter puppies to love on during finals week. Pretty awesome idea. Good for the pups and the students.
DD's RA has a therapy dog and the entire floor has been enjoying having a dog around day to day.

 

[Tinijocaro]

A funny story-I am going to my alma mater this weekend for an alumni orchestra concert. My college roommate is also going. We are allowed to stay on campus in a dorm if we choose to so we decided to. We will be staying in the dorm right next to dd's (freshman) dorm all homecoming weekend! She is just thrilled!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

A funny story-I am going to my alma mater this weekend for an alumni orchestra concert. My college roommate is also going. We are allowed to stay on campus in a dorm if we choose to so we decided to. We will be staying in the dorm right next to dd's (freshman) dorm all homecoming weekend! She is just thrilled!

That is funny!

 

[jetskigrl]

Just checking in with everyone How is everyone doing? Well, DD spent her first weekend at school instead of coming home (she wanted to enjoy the Halloween festivities). Woo Hoo!!
She is meeting with her Academic Adviser this week and her Academic Mentor next week. Hard to believe it is almost time to register for Spring semester already.

We attended a family night a week ago Friday and got to experience short versions of some of the classes the kids attend. The highlight was attending an Animation class by a former Disney Animator. We were just in awe when we found out he had worked on Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Lion King, etc. My DD is really hoping to be in one of his classes in the coming years

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Things are going really well for my two. They like where they are, their classes, his sport, etc. Grades are good. DD has made a lot of nice friends, as has DS. They are also looking at classes for next semester and have met with advisors. DD's workload is tough. She's doing a good job keeping up, but she has to study a lot on weekends. One of her old "friends" who goes to another school and is a year ahead, was chiding her this week that she didn't "party" enough. DD has gone out plenty on weekends and had fun, but isn't into partying the way this girl is - I know she failed at least one class last year and had to change majors, so DD knows she's not the best person to listen to, lol.

 

[jetskigrl]

Things are going really well for my two. They like where they are, their classes, his sport, etc. Grades are good. DD has made a lot of nice friends, as has DS. They are also looking at classes for next semester and have met with advisors. DD's workload is tough. She's doing a good job keeping up, but she has to study a lot on weekends. One of her old "friends" who goes to another school and is a year ahead, was chiding her this week that she didn't "party" enough. DD has gone out plenty on weekends and had fun, but isn't into partying the way this girl is - I know she failed at least one class last year and had to change majors, so DD knows she's not the best person to listen to, lol.

Your DD sounds a lot like my DD. She knew going into this school that the first year would be really tough. She does homework every weekend too. I think part of the reason she comes home is that her room is quiet compared to her dorm room. But she is making time to meet up with her HS friends, etc. Sounds like they both have found a good balance

 

[Pembo]

sk!mom -- Could you give us some ideas for care packages? My DS is a very picky snacker, so I haven't been sending the ones offered through the university. I know he doesn't have a lot of storage space, so prefers consumables. I would love to hear what you have sent, you seem like a pro!

Maria

When my older DS was in the dorm without a fridge or microwave and terrible dining hall food, I sent a LOT of his favorite snacks. Granola, beef jerky, cookies, candy, gum, etc. He did ask for water once LOL That we didn't mail and chips don't do well either. I also did a Dollar Store box once. I took $20 went to Dollar Tree and loaded up on all kinds of junk. Ear plugs, pens, pencils, snacks, tape, screwdrivers....all little things. Now that he has his own apartment AND a car, mail has slowed way down for him. But I still try and send a box every few weeks. DS #2 lives in a nice dorm room with great food options, he gets little things - snacks, gum, candy and some other fun stuff, post it's, pictures, random stuff. I try to send once every week or two. He really liked his birthday box with the stuffed dog that reminded him of our dogs.

Glad to hear everyone's kids are adjusting. Hard to believe the first semester is over in a month!

 

[punkin]

So DD dropped math and took a W. Her other classes are going well and she's really enjoying them. She's had some kind of cold for almost a month, but seems to finally be getting better. She's meeting with her advisor tomorrow to pick classes for next semester. I have not been consulted and that's OK. I hope she's over the hump.

 

[snoodledoo]

DD quit school and hasn't told us yet. She just threw away her scholarship. I can't express how disappointed and disgusted I am.

 

[cabanafrau]

Haven't been keeping abreast of the thread so I have no idea if the care package discussion has covered this yet, but at many schools the on campus snack baskets offered sometimes aren't the welcome treat we'd expect, particularly at finals time. Often the students simply get a notification a package or basket is waiting for them at X location on campus, available these days between these hours. Especially at finals time the extra errand isn't the special treat students enjoy, especially if the location isn't very convenient for their schedule.

 

[ski_mom]

DD quit school and hasn't told us yet. She just threw away her scholarship. I can't express how disappointed and disgusted I am.

I'm so sorry to hear that. We definitely can't control them at this stage in their lives and yet, they still are not old enough to foresee some of the consequences of their choices.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

DD quit school and hasn't told us yet. She just threw away her scholarship. I can't express how disappointed and disgusted I am.

I'm so sorry, I'm sure it felt like this came out of nowhere -- especially since she hasn't told you yet. I'm just sending hugs because sometimes words don't cover it. {{{HUGS}}}

Maria