Kids headed to College Fall 2012 Check-in

[WDWBarb]

Well, it's over. DD is all moved in an tucked away at college (college? gosh, still just doesn't seem possible...).

I have to say that I am so PROUD of myself for not being a blubbering mess while we were on campus. I weeped a bit on the drive there, but she didn't notice.

DD did very well and only cried once - but I think anyone would because it was heartbreaking. The dogs lost their minds when we started carrying her stuff out to the car. The little one hasn't eaten a full meal since she started packing, but they both suddenly knew exactly what was going on. It was chaos - the barking, whining, running, trying to get out the door and into the car..

And then she went to hug them goodbye. The little guy grabbed her tightly around the neck and started making the most mournful squealing noise. She had to pry him off her neck. He was shaking so hard and kept trying to get back to her .... we had to put him in a kennel so she could leave.

But once on campus, everything was so much better. It was fun moving her in and seeing the excitement on these kid's faces. This was one of the MOST EXCITING days of their lives and it was nearly impossible to be sad.

She loves her room, the view, just about everything.

So I left her at 2 o'clock, when she "suggested" that I could go home anytime I wanted. And it wasn't until 6:30 that we did our first Facetime. And she started it!

But I kept my tears in until I got home. Her stuff isn't here. The house seems so sad. So I mowed the lawn. And I'll try to find other stuff to do to fill the time and the void. And I'll dream about the days when she was young and we had forever. And she called me her best friend. And she told me we'd never, ever be apart.

Ugh. Sorry. I keep doing that.

 

[Buckalew11]

Well, it's over. DD is all moved in an tucked away at college (college? gosh, still just doesn't seem possible...).

I have to say that I am so PROUD of myself for not being a blubbering mess while we were on campus. I weeped a bit on the drive there, but she didn't notice.

DD did very well and only cried once - but I think anyone would because it was heartbreaking. The dogs lost their minds when we started carrying her stuff out to the car. The little one hasn't eaten a full meal since she started packing, but they both suddenly knew exactly what was going on. It was chaos - the barking, whining, running, trying to get out the door and into the car..

And then she went to hug them goodbye. The little guy grabbed her tightly around the neck and started making the most mournful squealing noise. She had to pry him off her neck. He was shaking so hard and kept trying to get back to her .... we had to put him in a kennel so she could leave.

But once on campus, everything was so much better. It was fun moving her in and seeing the excitement on these kid's faces. This was one of the MOST EXCITING days of their lives and it was nearly impossible to be sad.

She loves her room, the view, just about everything.

So I left her at 2 o'clock, when she "suggested" that I could go home anytime I wanted. And it wasn't until 6:30 that we did our first Facetime. And she started it!

But I kept my tears in until I got home. Her stuff isn't here. The house seems so sad. So I mowed the lawn. And I'll try to find other stuff to do to fill the time and the void. And I'll dream about the days when she was young and we had forever. And she called me her best friend. And she told me we'd never, ever be apart.

Ugh. Sorry. I keep doing that.

Well done Barb!!

I spoke with DD tonight. She is there with freshman fall athletes so not all freshman are there. She said the ones she was around today all cried. One bawled. I asked her is she did her best "Sheldon Cooper" and said, "There, there." lol She said she was the only who hasn't cried.

She said one of the girls cried and said, "I miss my mommy!!" I asked her how far away they were from home and she said the 2 she was with were 2 and 5 hours.

Barb, I too thought the actual moving in was not bad. The leading up to it was heart wrenching. And tonight...I miss her.

 

[Chelley00]

She said the ones she was around today all cried. One bawled. I asked her is she did her best "Sheldon Cooper" and said, "There, there." lol .

She should have sang "Soft Kitty". That would have made it all better!

 

[Buckalew11]

She should have sang "Soft Kitty". That would have made it all better!

Great suggestion!!

 

[MrEVILdrPorkchop2u]

I spent the last while reading through all of these. Our DS is a high school senior this year. He has already applied to the University of Alabama and now we are just waiting on a reply from the school. Everything is in and now it's just a wait and see game. My DW and I just can't fathom not having DS around. My DW already cries when she thinks about it and we still have a year to go. I can't even begin to imagine what it will be like next summer. We spent spring vacation touring different schools down south. We are moving to SC the end of this school year after DS graduates. We had toured the University of SC and had hoped DS would love it......but he did not. He didn't like being right in the city. Deep down we had hoped he would love it. Then DS had also considered Penn State and Clemson. Then we went to UA and from the moment we arrived, he just knew it was where he was suppose to be. It will be about 6 hours away and I think it will just about kill my DW. I believe she will adjust just fine after the fact but I do believe the anticipation will do her in. Wishing you all the best of luck!

 

[WDWBarb]

Well done Barb!!

I spoke with DD tonight. She is there with freshman fall athletes so not all freshman are there. She said the ones she was around today all cried. One bawled. I asked her is she did her best "Sheldon Cooper" and said, "There, there." lol She said she was the only who hasn't cried.

She said one of the girls cried and said, "I miss my mommy!!" I asked her how far away they were from home and she said the 2 she was with were 2 and 5 hours.

Barb, I too thought the actual moving in was not bad. The leading up to it was heart wrenching. And tonight...I miss her.

Thank you, thank you!! I wish there was a "taking a bow" smiley 'cause I could totally use it! I am quite pleased with my performance today as a normal, well-adjusted, supportive mom (versus the simpering mess that I am!). I didn't see anyone crying at her school today but I did leave early in comparison to the moms who came from out of town.

It's very sad to think of all of those kids who are missing their moms and dads so badly. I guess that makes me feel better that, at least, I don't have to worry about my DD crying for me. I think that might just do me in.

And to all you Moms and Dads who are missing their babies tonight... my heart goes out to you. To all of you who will soon be missing them... relish every last minute before they go.

 

[DVCLiz]

DD18 is all moved in! We started the drive back home at 4pm and she called around 9 - we had just stopped for the night. She's having fun so far - likes her roommate, loves her room, all unpacked and stuff up on the wall. She has class in the morning and a field trip to the beach Sunday. So happy for her! And for me!

 

[Southernmiss]

Are any of your new college students going to pledge with a fraternity or sorority?

DS has been contacted by a fraternity or two and is interested, but says he wants to get through 1st semester first before pledging. I think that's a good idea to get his feel for college life and what the frats are about. I hope he doesn't get swayed to pledge earlier.

What are the rest of you thinking and what are your kids doing about pledging?

 

[zurgswife]

Well we finally got the roommate assignment. My son has made a list of clothes he wants to take. So far that's the extent of preparation. Fortunately we have 16 days before we have to drive him to school.

Not worried about tears and sadness. This is my third heading to college so I feel I'm an old hat at it....this is the first one with a medical condition. He is Type 1 diabetic. He is very very capable but Type 1 is just one of those disease that can throw you a deadly curve ball and you never knew it....that's the biggest fear of sending a Type 1 kid off on their own.

 

[Robinrs]

Robin, I've waited for her to go through all that too and it never happened. I figured when we were together 24/7 for 4 yrs. of homeschooling it might get bad but it never did. I'm so grateful that she is such a wonderful person to be around.

That'll never happen with Michael. Remember Helen? How many little boys would notice Helen? 1 in 1000, probably. I hope he uses that part of himself/personality in whatever he chooses to do with his life. He'll definitely need to satisfy his need for giving compassion.

OmG, Helen!!! Wow, what a memory~

So many people wanted him to go into nursing or special ed, it's truly his passion to help those who need it. He wants to work in TV like I do, I think it's because he's always been around it. Eventually he will find his true passion and it will be taking care of SOMEONE~ hopefully not his elderly Mom!

I'm so glad your dd is a blessing because YOU are one. She's going to excel in her chosen school because it has always been her dream. It's awesome to have a dream, and so few kids have one. She doesn't lose her focus and that's RARE!

 

[Nancy for Disney]

This tread makes me depressed everytime I see it. All of my daughter's friends are getting ready to leave for college. My DD has decided not to attend. She graduated this spring with a 3.94 GPA and a 31 on the ACT. I loved college and I am sad she has decided that is not the path for her. It is a shame that we parents are not allowed to live their lives for them.

 

[MrEVILdrPorkchop2u]

This tread makes me depressed everytime I see it. All of my daughter's friends are getting ready to leave for college. My DD has decided not to attend. She graduated this spring with a 3.94 GPA and a 31 on the ACT. I loved college and I am sad she has decided that is not the path for her. It is a shame that we parents are not allowed to live their lives for them.

Has she given you an idea of what she thinks her path will be? Maybe she just needs sometime to figure things out? Wishing you and your DD nothing but the best.

 

[SgtClaymore]

I've been helping my grandson choose a Florida school so we can get the living instate savings and I think he has decided to go to FSU! So, Go Noles!!

 

[WDWBarb]

Are any of your new college students going to pledge with a fraternity or sorority?

DS has been contacted by a fraternity or two and is interested, but says he wants to get through 1st semester first before pledging. I think that's a good idea to get his feel for college life and what the frats are about. I hope he doesn't get swayed to pledge earlier.

What are the rest of you thinking and what are your kids doing about pledging?

DD says she absolutely will not, but I'm betting that she will change her mind. Her school has a freshman August term that allows incoming freshmen time on campus before Rush to get comfortable and not have the pressure of deciding as son as they arrive. Her school is heavily Greek.

 

[Buckalew11]

I spent the last while reading through all of these. Our DS is a high school senior this year. He has already applied to the University of Alabama and now we are just waiting on a reply from the school. Everything is in and now it's just a wait and see game. My DW and I just can't fathom not having DS around. My DW already cries when she thinks about it and we still have a year to go. I can't even begin to imagine what it will be like next summer. We spent spring vacation touring different schools down south. We are moving to SC the end of this school year after DS graduates. We had toured the University of SC and had hoped DS would love it......but he did not. He didn't like being right in the city. Deep down we had hoped he would love it. Then DS had also considered Penn State and Clemson. Then we went to UA and from the moment we arrived, he just knew it was where he was suppose to be. It will be about 6 hours away and I think it will just about kill my DW. I believe she will adjust just fine after the fact but I do believe the anticipation will do her in. Wishing you all the best of luck!

All I know to say is to brace yourself and be supportive and don't be shocked that you will hurt in your own way too. People have said to DH, "Poor Brenda, poor Brenda." And he is like, "What about ME?" lol They are close and this has also been hard on ol' dad!

My nephew looked at U of SC also because he wanted to go to a big school. He then toured and did overnights at Wofferd, Presbyterian, and some other small school in SC. He was shocked to find himself in love with Presbyterian College. And that is where he spend 4 glorious years. Maybe, just maybe...looking into a smaller, private SC might be worth a look? I'm sure if he is set of UofAL it will all work out but sometimes you just never know. By Christmas break Michael told me he was glad to be at a smaller school where he could develop a relationship with his professors. Just a thought ( to help your DW out.)

OmG, Helen!!! Wow, what a memory~

So many people wanted him to go into nursing or special ed, it's truly his passion to help those who need it. He wants to work in TV like I do, I think it's because he's always been around it. Eventually he will find his true passion and it will be taking care of SOMEONE~ hopefully not his elderly Mom!

I'm so glad your dd is a blessing because YOU are one. She's going to excel in her chosen school because it has always been her dream. It's awesome to have a dream, and so few kids have one. She doesn't lose her focus and that's RARE!

The story of Helen will go with me for a long, long time. It was so typical Michael and yet so untypical. That interaction just touched my soul and always has me thinking when I see someone alone (at Disney or elsewhere.)

When my DH went to college he wanted to do Special Education and was talked out of it. He got his degree in business administration. He had a few job sitting behind a desk and hated them so he became a FF/paramedic. He is amazing good with kids and elderly people. At 52, he is very close to finally getting that nursing degree.

I truly hope that Michael does find something to feed that passion and GIFT. Otherwise, he'll be like DH and always be feeling that void until it is filled.

Thanks for those sweet thoughts about DD. I thought she would get tired of that dream/focus and choose to go somewhere else to college. Nope, although she did not want an orange and garnet bedroom anymore (thank the Lord!), she still loves that college more than the founder himself could have loved it! The devotion may have an unusual pay off--she called me this morning and they have made her a very fun offer. Funny how things work out sometimes.

This tread makes me depressed everytime I see it. All of my daughter's friends are getting ready to leave for college. My DD has decided not to attend. She graduated this spring with a 3.94 GPA and a 31 on the ACT. I loved college and I am sad she has decided that is not the path for her. It is a shame that we parents are not allowed to live their lives for them.

Nancy, has she made any plans of what she is interested in? I really hope she changes her mind. I graduated 11th in my class and should have gone on to college but at the time I did not want to go. I've done hair for the past 29 years and while I love it, I always, always wish I had gone on just so I would have more choices!

 

[goofy4tink]

Well....dd comes home from camp tomorrow. Then, she leaves again on the 24th!!! She came home for a quick overnight to say goodbye to her bff on Wednesday, and okayed all the stuff I had bought for her for her dorm room!!! Yay for me!!! So, we have about 10 days with her...2 weeks from today, dh and I head back down to RI for the freshman convocation ceremony!! So, she moves in on Friday, we go home and then get to see her the next day. That's something at least. We can catch up on her first night in person!!! That will help us make the transition.

Have any of you parents given your freshmen a date that they have to remain at school until??? I don't want dd heading home to soon.....Parents weekend is in mid-Oct....so it will be two months that she will have been away at that point. I think we're going t tell her to stay put until then. Hard to think of going two months without seeing her though.

 

[Buckalew11]

My sister took my niece to Gettysburg 6 years ago (she has since graduated) and said, "See you at Christmas." I could and would never do that. DN loved college though and rarely even called home.

Of course, we have not done that. I think we're too close to do that type of thing. I just drove by and stuck a tube of toothpaste and two books from Chegg into her trunk w/o seeing her. I really do not expect to have her coming home much even though we are minutes away. Plus on the weekends she will have football (& I'll see her at home games and maybe even an away game or two.)

I think the schools really try to have weekend activities planned to keep them around. Ours has an outdoor activity every Saturday morning--hiking, tubing, rafting, etc. and the kids can sign up and experience the Smoky Mountains!

Oh and no sorority here and Barb, those tears I spoke of? They were yesterday (Fri) and move in was Thursday. Hopefully they are feeling better although it it is kind of a gloomy day here but cooler (80s!!).

 

[Patience]

My daughter is not going to rush as a freshman. She is interested but she will be cheering for her university and we both think it's best if she finds out how that is going to go before she thinks about joining a sorority.

Only 2 more days until she leaves. I am trying so hard not to cry too much because I want her to be excited about college but it is so hard.

 

[maxaroni]

Shouldn't be part of this thread as my DS19 graduated in 2011. However, wanted to say that things do get better for those that are having a hard time sending their kids off to college for the first time. For me, the emotions were so up there for the 4 years of HS and intensified as his senior year came rolling around. How was this possible??? My "baby" was a HS senior and each and every thought brought tears. I hated packing the car and the trek to school...2 hours away. He did not know anyone and had never met his roommates (a triple), so he had his own set of nerves. I was remarkably calm as we left and drove back home. Dealing with other things in our lives that kept me busy. However, that first weekend back home, I found it terribly hard to take him back to the train station....cried buckets. However, things do get better and easier...on both sides. Remember, as we are going through all of this, these kids just graduated HS and are off on their own...whether they admit it or not, they are nervous and scared, full of emotions. My DS came home several times during the first semester besides Thanksgiving as his GF is still here and some of his buddies from HS are commuters to either community college or nearby colleges. Each time he came home, we noticed differences in him and we all looked forward to his time at home. Before you know it, the school year is over and you will find that it has flown by.

Good luck to all of you

 

[cabanafrau]

Well it turns out I haven't been worrying about nothing afterall. My younger DD who will be a HS freshman got her school packet in the mail yesterday. Registration is of course at noon the same day we're supposed to be moving her older sister into her dorm. I'm sure I can make some alternate arrangements when I can call the admin tomorrow, however I once again feel like a lousy parent for not being able to complete the younger DD's event in the normal course w/ full attention, etc. I swear this happens every stinking time.