How Are Your College Freshmen Doing????

[DVCLiz]

I know we had another thread, but now that everyone has had a few days, how's it going?

DD seems to LOVE it - she just called me bubbling about her first class. She has a great schedule - on M/W/F she has a class from 8:30-9:30am, then a PE (racquetball) class from 10:30-11:20am, then she's done for the day!!! She told me she was doing laundry this morning between her two classes, and she was meeting people and having fun. She also said she will only be home for one of the three days of fall break, because she's going to a football game at another college where some of her friends go. And the following weekend, she wants to bring 6 or 8 new friends home to see a football game near our town.

So, so far so good!!! How's it going at your house???

 

[vsimeone]

Sounds like things are going great for your DD Liz! Mine is doing well too. Her classes are going great so far and her soccer season is starting off well. She actually started on the varsity team in their scrimmage last week. This weekend, they traveled out of town to a tournament and she didn't start but did sub in during both games. She's thrilled that she made the varisty team even as a sub!

She's keeping very busy. She's looking at working a couple hours in the training room for a little spending money. I just hope she budgets her time wisely but it sounds like so far, so good!

Hope all other college freshman are doing well also!

 

[Feralpeg]

Glad to hear your DD's are doing well.

My DD is doing very well. She had a couple of down days, but is sounding better. She is using the long weekend to catch up on reading for history. Some kids went home, but many didn't.

Last Friday night, she joined a swing dance club on campus. She had a blast. She went with another couple of girls to the mall to shop on Saturday. So, she is keeping busy and having some fun. What more could I ask?

She will begin tutoring kids at a boys and girls club one day a week starting next week.

If anything, I worry that she will push herself too hard. By the way, we've made arrangements and she will be coming home for Thanksgiving. I am going to try to get a day off my new job to attend parents weekend the first weekend in November.

 

[OhMari]

Glad to hear your DD's are doing well.

My DD is doing very well. She had a couple of down days, but is sounding better. She is using the long weekend to catch up on reading for history. Some kids went home, but many didn't.

Last Friday night, she joined a swing dance club on campus. She had a blast. She went with another couple of girls to the mall to shop on Saturday. So, she is keeping busy and having some fun. What more could I ask?

She will begin tutoring kids at a boys and girls club one day a week starting next week.

If anything, I worry that she will push herself too hard. By the way, we've made arrangements and she will be coming home for Thanksgiving. I am going to try to get a day off my new job to attend parents weekend the first weekend in November.

I looked for a college thread last week while crying my eyes out and I gave up after 5 pages. I am having a much harder time, than my 3 that are away at college. LOL!

Anyhow, where is your dd going to college?

My ds, who is #3 joined his sister at Northern Michigan, in Marquette MI. My oldest ds is at UW-Milwaukee. My ds is doing a lot better than I expected. He joined the Mountain Biking Club, the Jeep Club that takes their jeeps out into muddy areas-he signed up for co-piloting. And he wants to join the crew team. He doesn't want to work this semester, but will probably next semester.

 

[momrek06]

Although my DS is not a Freshmen (he is a Junior) THIS semester (he sort of kinda is a Freshmen in the respect that) he is studying abroad at the University of Glasgow in Scotland.

My DH was there with him all last week getting him all settled in to his Dorm at the University. Just like a Freshmen, they walked the campus to get familiar with all the buildings. The campus is HUGE. U of G is beautiful and (TRIVIA) built before Columbus set sail for America. (neat..huh)!

Just like a Freshmen, he is meeting all new students (from France, Germany, England, Ireland, the USA and of course Scotland).

Just like a Freshmen he had Orientation and at the first break of the day they served TEA (DS thought that was just so cool) and at the end of the day they served BEER TO ALL....(DS thought that was WICKED COOL)!! I was pretty surprised at that but the drinking age is 18 in Europe. DS is 20yo (still illegal in the USA).

He met with his Advisor and went over his course selection. Just like a Freshmen he waited in a long line and got his Student ID!!!!

Bottomline: HE IS LOVING ALL THIS 24/7!!!

To all you parents who have Freshmen in college...the OVERSEAS PROGRAM at each college is fabulous...have your DS' and DD's check it all out and NOW. Most colleges require a 3.0 - 3.3 gpa to qualify. Have them study hard now so they will qualify for their Junior year.

U of G was very very hard to get accepted to, my DS had to be accepted to the Overseas Program at his college and once he was, he then had to APPLY to U of G just like you apply as an undergrad. He has met USA students from YALE, DUKE and PRINCETON. DS attends a top Catholic University here in the Northeast.

 

[eeyore45]

I had to let TWO go!! My one son is a Freshman, the other son transfered, from a community college - he failed as a Freshman his first year, basically because they couldnt provide services he needed (he's hard of hearing, doesnt sign, it was a hard year all around!! He got a 4.0 his last year at cc!!)

So my oldest is in a study group, and seems to be doing ok... he is in a single room (I refuse to call a 10x10 room an apartment, it has a tiny dorm frig, tiny burner/stove - shared bathroom, I call it "privatized dorm space" !! ) and i think he gets lonely.... (because we talk a lot hardly talked before!!) but he's seems to be on track, and he's applied for a job as a campus security (they're called "SPO = student police officer" )

My freshman son is a music major, and is on a set program - he has 19 credit hours!! dh went down to deliver some stuff to the boys... he was told by his bassoon teacher he "must" name his bassoon... "bassoon" isnt a good enough name!! I worry about him, he's very quiet, and shy.. and I'm not at all convinced he'll finish as a music major!!

oh, and if you can stand it (I couldnt!!) do listen to the Letting Go show on wgnradio.com site - that song sends me into tears!!
http://wgnradio.com/shows/kathy_judy/index.html

 

[eeyore45]

Here's the lyrics to the song...

Letting Go by Suzy Bogguss

She'll take the painting in the hallway,
The one she did in jr. high
And that old lamp up in the attic,
She'll need some light to study by.

She's had 18 years to get ready for this day
She should be past the tears, she cries some anyway

Oh oh letting go
There's nothing in the way now,
Oh letting go, there's room enough to fly
And even though, she's spent her whole life waiting,
It's never easy letting go.

Mother sits down at the table
So many things she'd like to do
Spend more time out in the garden
Now she can get those books read too.

She's had 18 years to get ready for this day
She should be past the tears, she cries some anyway.

Oh oh letting go
There's nothing in the way now,
Oh letting go, there's room enough to fly
And even though, she's spent her whole life waiting,
It's never easy letting go.

Oh oh letting go
There's nothing in the way now,
Oh letting go, there's room enough to fly
And even though, she's spent her whole life waiting,
It's never easy letting go.

 

[DVCLiz]

An update - there are 18 boys and 2 girls in DD's racquetball class!!! I just laughed when I heard that - and suggested that possible "could you help me with my racquetball class?" study sessions might be in order!!!!

Peg, I'm so glad to hear that your daughter is well and happy. DD is going to go through sorority rush in a few weeks, and she's going to try and volunteer for The School for the Deaf - she would like to learn sign language. Her school has a January term, and she would like to do a travel class if possible. Professors take students to France, Japan, Greece, etc. but it isn't certain that freshmen will get to go because of space restraints. I'm hoping she gets the chance - I'd love for her to get some foreign travel opportunities!!! I'd really like her to study abroad a semester as well -maybe in her junior year.

Glad to hear everyone is doing well!!!

 

[tar heel]

My freshman DS is also doing great. He was home for Labor Day but went back Sunday b/c he had too much work to stay three days. He talked a lot about school and seemed genuinely happy to see us. Of course, I know that the steady girlfriend who's a senior in high school is why he was really home.

He said the workload is more than he expected -- not sure what he expected. He also said that his room is the hangout for the hall -- this I expected b/c he always draws a crowd -- but that there's never more than 10 people at a time.

His grandparents live roughly half-way between us and school, so he was having dinner with them on the way back. I really like that he has a built-in pit stop b/c the driving 200 miles really worries me.

Oh, and my senior DS is off to a good start,too.

 

[Lanshark]

DD seems to be doing wonderfully.

She came home for labor day and found it a bit difficult to leave this morning. It's really the first time I've seen anything except enthusiasm

 

[sharbear]

My ds, who is #3 joined his sister at Northern Michigan, in Marquette MI. My oldest ds is at UW-Milwaukee. My ds is doing a lot better than I expected. He joined the Mountain Biking Club, the Jeep Club that takes their jeeps out into muddy areas-he signed up for co-piloting. And he wants to join the crew team. He doesn't want to work this semester, but will probably next semester.

This is hard to believe but my DS is close to your kids. He's a freshman at Michigan Tech.

He's having fun, but classes haven't started yet, so we'll see how the whole school and actually having classes will go. He's taking 17 hours and convinced me that he'll be fine.

The roomate seems okay, he's a guy and my S is not really very hard to annoy. He loves the floor he's on, he on a Freshman only floor and is having a great time. I called the other day to ask him something and asked him to call me when he knew something. He said that he would try to fit me in! Great! But I'm happy that he's doing well.

It's hard to have him so far from home. He won't be home until Thankgiving and I don't know if we'll be able to go up there. Hopefully he will have some time to call the 'rents occ!

 

[momrek06]

I'd love for her to get some foreign travel opportunities!!! I'd really like her to study abroad a semester as well -maybe in her junior year.

My DS has only been at the University of Glasgow ONE WEEK but is loving ALL OF IT!!! The opportunity to study at one of the most prestigous Universities in all of the UK is just thrilling. One of the courses his own USA college has him taking while at the UofG is the "History of Scotland". When DS gets back he will be able to win at Jeopardy with any questions on Scotland.

 

[Feralpeg]

I looked for a college thread last week while crying my eyes out and I gave up after 5 pages. I am having a much harder time, than my 3 that are away at college. LOL!

Anyhow, where is your dd going to college?

My ds, who is #3 joined his sister at Northern Michigan, in Marquette MI. My oldest ds is at UW-Milwaukee. My ds is doing a lot better than I expected. He joined the Mountain Biking Club, the Jeep Club that takes their jeeps out into muddy areas-he signed up for co-piloting. And he wants to join the crew team. He doesn't want to work this semester, but will probably next semester.

DD is attending Florida State.

Hang in there! I know it's hard. I'm just keeping very busy and talking to DD multiple times a day. Thank goodness for cell phone!

 

[christineann]

I keep telling myself......do not hover, do not hover. My daughter's "away" message on IM right now is as follows:

doing physics and WEBASSIGN while watching The Corpse Bride with friends. Now THAT's multi-tasking

 

[Mary Anne]

We just dropped my son off yesterdey, classes don't start here till Wednesday. So far so good, today he picked up his books, called me to tell me he charged $300 and still needs one more. He'll be home Friday afternoon for the weekend.

He forgot his laptop charger but his roommate has the same type so they are sharing. I think of it as "bonding" So far so good. I can't wait to see how he does with the classes and what he thinks.

 

[momrek06]

I keep telling myself......do not hover, do not hover. My daughter's "away" message on IM right now is as follows:

doing physics and WEBASSIGN while watching The Corpse Bride with friends. Now THAT's multi-tasking

Ahh..Christineann, do not be a "helicopter parent".... ...I just learned that word this week on the DIS!!! One that "hovers"...

And for your info, as the parent of two college sons...those away messages are usually NOT what they are REALLY doing...right now she could be out "ON THE TOWN" partying up and leaving a very academic message for MOM because she knows you might be hovering or spying.

My sons actually have TWO buddy lists and I am on ONE (which are all very academic messages) and the other one they have me BLOCKED!!! The blocked one is undoubtedly what they REALLY are doing....

 

[christineann]

I actually meant the "do not hover" as a joke The academic stuff is 100% their responsibility

I have a son who is going to graduate this year, and he has thrived at college. His sister is off to an awesome start and loves it. I really get a kick out of their away messages - they are usually pretty funny. My daughter set up the IM for me, and the first day I had it, I told them that I would not initiate a chat unless it is really important. I don't want them to think we have to converse every time we are on line at the same time.

They are actually more worried about me than I am about them since I have an empty nest. After 12 years as a single mom, I am enjoying the peace and quiet

 

[momrek06]

I actually meant the "do not hover" as a joke

I have a son who is going to graduate this year, and he has thrived at college. His sister is off to an awesome start and loves it. I really get a kick out of their away messages - they are usually pretty funny. My daughter set up the IM for me, and the first day I had it, I told them that I would not initiate a chat unless it is really important. I don't want them to think we have to converse every time we are on line at the same time.

They are actually more worried about me than I am about them since I have an empty nest. After 12 years as a single mom, I am enjoying the peace and quiet

Ohhh, Christineann, I knew it was a joke !!! Aren't kids amazing. Here they are away probably undoubtedly having the time of their lives because that is what college should be about AND they are worrying about US!!!

Amazing!

Ya, my youngest DS is actually attending the University of Glasgow, Scotland this semester and just so happy with everything so far!!! I am only happy when my DS' are happy!!!

They both call on a regular basis and never ever end a phone call w/o saying "love you, mom"!!!

Ahhh, Christineann: Be proud you have done a fabulous job!!!

And like you, it took a "little" while to enjoy the peace and quiet BUT now I am so loving it!!!

 

[christineann]

Yup, when my friends ask me how I'm doing (as if I should be a mess!), I just tell them that I am very happy, and most of that is because my kids are so happy.

I love the energy of having a house full of my kids' friends, but still..........

the TV remote control is always right where I left it
I can park ANYWHERE I want, even in my driveway
I know exactly how many people to expect for dinner
the dogs have calmed down a little bit and don't always race to the door when they hear a car go by
I can walk around my house in just a t-shirt
the computer is mine, 24/7
less laundry
a much lower water bill (no 30 minute teenager showers!)

this is all tongue-in-cheek, of course.......the three of us are very close

 

[Jillpie]

Its so nice to know I'm not alone. Nice thread! We dropped off our "baby" Pat on Saturday, 3 hours away. This is so hard sometimes, I think about him all the time. When does that go away?? I check his away messages too, and hope he doesn't think I'm hovering. Not sure how much I should call, HELP! He sounds happy though, they've had some fun stuff going on and he really likes his floor mates. I just miss him so much!