Parents of College Class of 2018 (A.K.A., "Is this the line to the poor house?")

[Gina]

Hi all! Went down to campus last night to pack (stuff!) the Survival Boxes with the Aggie Moms Club for the kids for pre-finals cramming. They were the boxes that reams of paper come in, stuffed to bulging with chips, peanut butter crackers, beef jerky, candy, fruit snacks, gum, pudding cups, ramen, you name it! Was a lot of fun, and the kids seemed to really love it. I know my son did!! Plus I brought him some hot chocolate mix and I even found a ceramic mug at Walmart with the A&M logo and maroon snowflakes all over it. He loved that even more. I'll try and post some pics from the box-assembly-line later on, it was pretty cool.

So my DD went and visited her cousins and my sister out of state this weekend. Made the 5 hour drive alone and everything. My sister just called to tell me how much they loved having her and then she asked, "did you know how homesick she is? Especially for you? She said that she loves absolutely everything about school and never wants to return to her hometown but 'I miss my mom so much!" "My mom is really the funniest, coolest person I know and everything would be perfect if I could just see her every week."

Oh my! I bawled! I love that girl so much!! I know that my sister was trying to let me know how much DD loves me but it made me so sad to think that she ever has a moment of homesickness. I'm so proud of that girl!

So sweet!!! That had to just make your entire month.

I am dealing with this with my son. He loves his school, but hates the Corps. Most schools just have an ROTC program and not a Corps, so he would have a lot more free time. He is already talking about seeing if he can get his scholarship transferred to another school. Ugh.

He even texted me and asked if I would be disappointed if he went into law. I'm like, no, that would be my dream. His current plans are to become an officer in the Army, so if he ended up going into law I would be thrilled. He said that would be his last choice though. He is so unhappy being in the Corps and I feel sorry for him. He chose to do it, but he didn't realize the amount of time it would take away from doing the things he had hoped to do in college.

I'm so sorry. I can't remember your son's major... but y'all might seriously look at TAMUG. The Corps is much more relaxed there, yet just as prestigious. And the new Corps dorm they're building right now is going to be phenomonal. Plus it is A&M -- just a campus extension. Granted island life is verrrrry different than life in College Station... way better, I think ... but it might be worth a look for your son.

 

[Bluestars]

BTW- If you watch The Voice, Chris Jamison is a student at my ds's school and a member of his frat. He never got to meet him but his "big" is Chris's best friend. The boy has a great voice! I've never watched the show before but we are now.

That's exciting. He is very good!

Madge, if it were me and my middle schooler didn't have any exams those days, I would pull her out for 2 days for vacation. Unless there are exams, those days usually have nothing going on.

I just looked at my son's schedule and it looks like he gets out on Dec 18th and doesn't start back until Jan 20th. That seems like a long break. He will say it's not long enough though.

Disneymom2one, I think that's a perfect time to go on vacation. I hope your family has a wonderful time.

Elgerber, although I am sure it's very crowded that time of year, I'll bet it's amazing. I would love to do that for NYE one year.

Gina, I think those care packages are a great fundraiser for the Aggie Moms. Before school started, I got something in the mail where I could sign up for care packages throughout the year. I wonder if those are also done by the Aggie Moms. They sent one when he first got there, on Halloween, and I think he gets a couple more later on this school year.

As far as the other campus, I like the idea but my son doesn't want anything to do with the Corps anywhere because he claims it takes up too much of his time. He was hoping to do a lot of activities, but it's hard for him to find the time when he has to devote so much of it to the Corps. I guess he will figure it all out.

Thanksgiving is coming up and I am so excited that he gets to fly home the day after Thanksgiving. He has to march at the game on Thanksgiving, so we will celebrate it the next day.

 

[IDoDis]

I am dealing with this with my son. He loves his school, but hates the Corps. Most schools just have an ROTC program and not a Corps, so he would have a lot more free time. He is already talking about seeing if he can get his scholarship transferred to another school. Ugh.

I'm sorry things aren't going so well with the Corps. for your DS. I remember how excited you said he was when he got accepted, butt then how awful his first three weeks of school were. Hopefully he'll see the light at the end of the tunnel in the spring semester because he'll be on the downward slope. Things may ease up a bit with the Corps., too. I'm sure not enough though to convince him to stay. He will find his way. to both of you!

So my DD went and visited her cousins and my sister out of state this weekend. Made the 5 hour drive alone and everything. My sister just called to tell me how much they loved having her and then she asked, "did you know how homesick she is? Especially for you? She said that she loves absolutely everything about school and never wants to return to her hometown but 'I miss my mom so much!" "My mom is really the funniest, coolest person I know and everything would be perfect if I could just see her every week."

Awwwww, how sweet is that to hear? Makes it all worth the years of growing pains, doesn't it?

Does anyone have vacation plans when their kid comes home for Christmas break? We were going to go on vacation, but my son just wants to chill out since he will only have two weeks and has to do something with ROTC the other two weeks. He thinks. haha. He's the type who will get information at the last minute, so who knows what he has to do.

Anyway, since they get so much time off after the first semester, it seems like a great time to take a family vacation.

No vacation plans on this end, either. DD will be flying out of state to spend 10 days with her boyfriend and his family. She is leaving on the Dec 27th. By the time she gets back, she'll only have 4 days before school starts. DH and I go back to school (work) in early January. We don't usually travel over the winter break. It's just nice to be able to relax and enjoy the holidays. In my younger college years I used to go to Las Vegas every year for New Year's Eve, but now I just want to veg during the winter break.

DD has only one more chemistry lab left this semester which she is thrilled about. She says it's a lot of work for just one credit. She has early registration which starts at midnight tonight, so she's going to set her alarm. It was a hot mess setting up her spring schedule and it's crucial that she gets the class schedule she drafted. Even one no-go will mess everything up. It's the labs that make it difficult to schedule other classes, because the labs are once a week and take up 3 hours each. She has two labs next semester, so making everything else fit was a challenge. She'll be taking 17 hours again.

 

[Bluestars]

DD has only one more chemistry lab left this semester which she is thrilled about. She says it's a lot of work for just one credit. She has early registration which starts at midnight tonight, so she's going to set her alarm. It was a hot mess setting up her spring schedule and it's crucial that she gets the class schedule she drafted. Even one no-go will mess everything up. It's the labs that make it difficult to schedule other classes, because the labs are once a week and take up 3 hours each. She has two labs next semester, so making everything else fit was a challenge. She'll be taking 17 hours again.

Surely she will get the schedule she wants if she logs in at midnight. Hopefully that will giver her the advantage she needs to choose the times that work for her. I doubt the majority of college kids will be that organized. It must be a challenge to plan around two labs.

My son said that he can't even register for spring until Dec 2nd.

 

[sk!mom]

No break vacation plans here. We're planning a big family Christmas with all the cousins- DD's favorite holiday. Then hopefully lots of time to rest, relax, and enjoy her at home. Her childhood besties ended up at colleges far away so she's looking forward to time with them.

 

[elgerber]

My dd has now registered for 2nd semester. 18 credits. She says by the end of 2nd semester she will have 60 credits. Thank you AP classes! That thrills her because it gives her time to study abroad...that is after we figure out a way to pay for it!

 

[madge]

Madge, if it were me and my middle schooler didn't have any exams those days, I would pull her out for 2 days for vacation. Unless there are exams, those days usually have nothing going on.

that's what I'm trying to find out -- Allegiant has very good fares & we can pop in and out (hopefully) before the big Christmas crowds arrive, so I'd like to try and make it happen.

 

[Bluestars]

My dd has now registered for 2nd semester. 18 credits. She says by the end of 2nd semester she will have 60 credits. Thank you AP classes! That thrills her because it gives her time to study abroad...that is after we figure out a way to pay for it!

That is great! So will she be a junior next year?

 

[Bluestars]

that's what I'm trying to find out -- Allegiant has very good fares & we can pop in and out (hopefully) before the big Christmas crowds arrive, so I'd like to try and make it happen.

I would try to make it happen too. I am not a huge fan of taking kids out of middle school or high school for vacations, but if it's just a couple of days I don't see the harm in it.

My son got accepted to the study abroad program. It's in Tunisia. (I had to google it) He said it's very developed. He also said that this will almost guarantee him a minor in Arabic. I am excited for him, but geez, why couldn't he have settled for being an intern in DC? It will be an incredible experience for him.

 

[Pembo]

I would try to make it happen too. I am not a huge fan of taking kids out of middle school or high school for vacations, but if it's just a couple of days I don't see the harm in it.

My son got accepted to the study abroad program. It's in Tunisia. (I had to google it) He said it's very developed. He also said that this will almost guarantee him a minor in Arabic. I am excited for him, but geez, why couldn't he have settled for being an intern in DC? It will be an incredible experience for him.

Congrats to your son! Tunisia?! Wow. When will he do the study abroad?

We went to visit DS yesterday. Why is it everytime we see him I spend $$$$?? Last visit we had to buy a suit. Yesterday it was a new amp for his guitar. I love him but he is expensive. LOL

 

[Bluestars]

Congrats to your son! Tunisia?! Wow. When will he do the study abroad?

We went to visit DS yesterday. Why is it everytime we see him I spend $$$$?? Last visit we had to buy a suit. Yesterday it was a new amp for his guitar. I love him but he is expensive. LOL

It's from the end of May until July. That will take care of most of his summer.

Kids are always needing something. That suit should last him a long time though.

 

[Gina]

Wow, that is seriously awesome!! Tunisia has a special place in my heart, because every Star Wars movie except for one has had parts filmed there.

DS registered last week for next semester. He told me he couldn't believe he had already been there long enough for that to be happening! He's taking 13 hours instead of the 16 he intended because of a schedule conflict, but he said he met with his advisor and it won't put him behind at all.

He'll be home for a month but he's planning on working a whole lot to try and bank some cash to head back with. His old manager at the McDonald's where he worked for the past couple years is thrilled. We've never vacationed at that time anyway, so no big change of plans there. He is kinda miffed that in February I'll be going on a cruise without him for the first time ever, but I reminded him that he was at WDW without me for the first time this summer!!

 

[madge]

I would try to make it happen too. I am not a huge fan of taking kids out of middle school or high school for vacations, but if it's just a couple of days I don't see the harm in it.

we had a snow day today. (seriously ... on November 17! ) I don't know what that means to the end of the grading period ... I guess it won't end now until after Christmas, so I'm feeling less apprehensive about pulling her.

 

[elgerber]

we had a snow day today. (seriously ... on November 17! ) I don't know what that means to the end of the grading period ... I guess it won't end now until after Christmas, so I'm feeling less apprehensive about pulling her.

I don't have kids in middle/high anymore, but our district had a snow day last Monday, and I live in Minnesota! Go figure! Not a good start to winter.

I am getting a bonus visit with my girl this weekend. One of her best friends is a senior in high school, and very interested in film. His mom texted me last week and said we want to go visit Alexa and campus next weekend, do you want to go with us? Um, let me think... Granted, she will be coming home 2 days later for Thanksgiving, but still!!

She wants to study abroad in Lincoln England. She first brought home info on a Eurospring program the school does, which is about 8 weeks in England, for only $11800!!!! Plus regular school costs, since its only part of the semester. Then she has found the film program has an exchange school in Lincoln, mostly TV work, but still. It's apparently almost a full semester, but I have no idea how much it costs. She said there is a long spring break there where they can go on their own to other parts of Europe. Very exciting, but terrifying!! Now, to see if there is any way to afford it, and if I would be able to afford us going to meet here there for break. There would have to be no Disney that year, and I could rent my points out to cover a teeny bit of it.

 

[Bluestars]

Wow, that is seriously awesome!! Tunisia has a special place in my heart, because every Star Wars movie except for one has had parts filmed there.

DS registered last week for next semester. He told me he couldn't believe he had already been there long enough for that to be happening! He's taking 13 hours instead of the 16 he intended because of a schedule conflict, but he said he met with his advisor and it won't put him behind at all.

He'll be home for a month but he's planning on working a whole lot to try and bank some cash to head back with. His old manager at the McDonald's where he worked for the past couple years is thrilled. We've never vacationed at that time anyway, so no big change of plans there. He is kinda miffed that in February I'll be going on a cruise without him for the first time ever, but I reminded him that he was at WDW without me for the first time this summer!!

I had no idea they filmed Star Wars there. Shows how much I know.

I wonder if my son really has to wait until Dec 2nd to register. If your son is already registered, I think I need to check up on it for my son. That's great that your son already has a job during his break.

Where are you going on your cruise? My husband and I are thinking about taking one in Jan or Feb.

ETA - His registration really is Dec 2nd. That seems late. Oh well.

 

[Bluestars]

we had a snow day today. (seriously ... on November 17! ) I don't know what that means to the end of the grading period ... I guess it won't end now until after Christmas, so I'm feeling less apprehensive about pulling her.

Does that mean she would have to miss three days instead of two if you took her out of school for a trip?

 

[Bluestars]

I don't have kids in middle/high anymore, but our district had a snow day last Monday, and I live in Minnesota! Go figure! Not a good start to winter.

I am getting a bonus visit with my girl this weekend. One of her best friends is a senior in high school, and very interested in film. His mom texted me last week and said we want to go visit Alexa and campus next weekend, do you want to go with us? Um, let me think... Granted, she will be coming home 2 days later for Thanksgiving, but still!!

She wants to study abroad in Lincoln England. She first brought home info on a Eurospring program the school does, which is about 8 weeks in England, for only $11800!!!! Plus regular school costs, since its only part of the semester. Then she has found the film program has an exchange school in Lincoln, mostly TV work, but still. It's apparently almost a full semester, but I have no idea how much it costs. She said there is a long spring break there where they can go on their own to other parts of Europe. Very exciting, but terrifying!! Now, to see if there is any way to afford it, and if I would be able to afford us going to meet here there for break. There would have to be no Disney that year, and I could rent my points out to cover a teeny bit of it.

That's exciting! I hope things work out and she will be able to do it. It sounds like an amazing experience. I am sure it would be fun for you if you could meet her there for break.

 

[madge]

Does that mean she would have to miss three days instead of two if you took her out of school for a trip?

no, the trip wouldn't change. she'd miss Thursday & Friday. it just means now the grading period ends (I assume) on January 6 instead of December 19. if she was to miss any tests or work, she'd have at least one day when school resumes after the holidays.

 

[Bluestars]

no, the trip wouldn't change. she'd miss Thursday & Friday. it just means now the grading period ends (I assume) on January 6 instead of December 19. if she was to miss any tests or work, she'd have at least one day when school resumes after the holidays.

If it will still only be two days that she will miss, it must be tempting!

 

[sk!mom]

I haven't seen my DD since early October. I.Am.Counting.the.Days!!

We're driving the 4 hours to her school next Tuesday afternoon. This time next week, I should be having dinner with her. Then Wednesday morning were all headed out of state for the holiday. Honestly, I don't think I've ever looked forward to anything as much!