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

[jerseygal]

SAFE TRAVELS home for all college students returning!

NO PLACE LIKE HOME, hopefully!

Hope all the freshman are HAPPY! Our DS is and is doing very well academically so far! Amazing, already registered for spring semester classes!

TIME is flying by!

ENJOY TIME with your sons and daughters!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

He has to move everything out at the Semester break? Is this common? Is he making a housing change?

I thought that most housing choices were for the whole first year.

Every school is different I think.
All residence halls are closed effective Dec. 12 and no one is supposed to stay over the break. Maintenance is done on all units during the break.

I don't know if they all have to empty their rooms over the break but he will need pretty much everything he brought with the exception of the bedding (which probably need to be washed) and cleaning supplies when he comes home, he said he's moving completely out - we didn't buy most stuff just for college, he took what we already owned.
His room is bare compared to most - he said he didn't want to deal with alot of stuff.

He'll be attending a closing for the break meeting when he goes back to school so maybe he'll know more then.

 

[disneymom2one]

Glad to hear everyone is doing well. Our daughter still has a ways to go but considering she had literally never been away from us for more than a night (and then only twice), we're happy with where things are. Academically, she's fine. Socially, she's (as expected) struggling somewhat but she's relatively happy. We've seen a lot of growth and maturity.

She has class through Tuesday and then will be home the rest of the week before going back for two weeks and then home for about three weeks (half of which will be spent on vacation with us). She did end up registering for fifteen hours in the spring because she was torn between two great classes.

I think we'll probably continue our routine of having her stay there most weekends but seeing her on both ends most of the time. That seems to work for us for now. Things will be a little different as my husband was just named chair of his department and he'll have a lot of different responsibilities going forward. She's only an hour away so it shouldn't be a huge deal but he won't have as much time as he did this semester.

Hope everyone has a great break with their kids! Thanks for the heads - up for the SNL skit. We watch every week but only the opener and the news. It's on DVR and I'll look for that skit.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[sk!mom]

Glad to hear everyone is doing well. Our daughter still has a ways to go but considering she had literally never been away from us for more than a night (and then only twice), we're happy with where things are. Academically, she's fine. Socially, she's (as expected) struggling somewhat but she's relatively happy. We've seen a lot of growth and maturity. She has class through Tuesday and then will be home the rest of the week before going back for two weeks and then home for about three weeks (half of which will be spent on vacation with us). She did end up registering for fifteen hours in the spring because she was torn between two great classes. I think we'll probably continue our routine of having her stay there most weekends but seeing her on both ends most of the time. That seems to work for us for now. Things will be a little different as my husband was just named chair of his department and he'll have a lot of different responsibilities going forward. She's only an hour away so it shouldn't be a huge deal but he won't have as much time as he did this semester. Hope everyone has a great break with their kids! Thanks for the heads - up for the SNL skit. We watch every week but only the opener and the news. It's on DVR and I'll look for that skit. Happy Thanksgiving!

The opener was also so funny. And I wondered how they would work in Bill Cosby and they did it so well in the weekend update. I had just said to DH last week that I wasn't enjoying the new cast this season but they went a long way toward redemption this week.

 

[Pembo]

The opener was also so funny. And I wondered how they would work in Bill Cosby and they did it so well in the weekend update. I had just said to DH last week that I wasn't enjoying the new cast this season but they went a long way toward redemption this week.

Watched the Back Home Baller, weekend update and the Opener! ROFL.. Guess I need to start dvr-ing SNL again...

 

[Bluestars]

Glad to hear everyone is doing well. Our daughter still has a ways to go but considering she had literally never been away from us for more than a night (and then only twice), we're happy with where things are. Academically, she's fine. Socially, she's (as expected) struggling somewhat but she's relatively happy. We've seen a lot of growth and maturity.

She has class through Tuesday and then will be home the rest of the week before going back for two weeks and then home for about three weeks (half of which will be spent on vacation with us). She did end up registering for fifteen hours in the spring because she was torn between two great classes.

I think we'll probably continue our routine of having her stay there most weekends but seeing her on both ends most of the time. That seems to work for us for now. Things will be a little different as my husband was just named chair of his department and he'll have a lot of different responsibilities going forward. She's only an hour away so it shouldn't be a huge deal but he won't have as much time as he did this semester.

Hope everyone has a great break with their kids! Thanks for the heads - up for the SNL skit. We watch every week but only the opener and the news. It's on DVR and I'll look for that skit.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am glad to hear your daughter is adjusting to the school. I think the first semester is the hardest for most kids. It's a huge adjustment.

Congratulations to your husband!

 

[IDoDis]

I haven't posted much, but I try to read often here. You know we worry when we send our babies off into the world. I know with my daughter I worry about her driving and walking late on campus by herself. I moved so she is only 4 hours away as opposed to 8 so she could come home for weekends. If she has to walk at night by herself she will often call and talk to me until she gets back to her dorm.

Nothing can prepare you though when it happens. Early Thursday morning at 1:20am I was browsing on the computer before bed, when a breaking announcement came in about a shooting at FSU. Seriously, my heart stopped yet at the same time felt as if it was jumping out of my chest. I grabbed my phone to call her. She had texted me at 12:50 that I hadn't heard come in. "I know you'll hear, so just letting you know I am ok." I talked to her, but nothing can get over the mommy guilt of what if she had been involved and was texting me for 30 minutes and I didn't answer.

Over last few days, I've gotten a few crying jags just thinking about it. Hug them tight when they come home for Thanksgiving. I know I will. I will send her off with a hug and a kiss. Sometimes when she has been home for the weekend, I find myself a bit peeved and ready for her to go back to school. She can be very judgmental of me, and a long weekend pushes my buttons. I promise myself I won't let this happen. There are 2 kids still in the hospital. I am thanking God this Thanksgiving and holiday season that mine isn't one of them.

That is so scary A! I'm glad your DD was safe. I now talk to my DD on the phone when she is walking to her room from the parking garage when she is alone and it's late. Her dorm is next to the dining hall which is across the street from the parking garage. The dining hall is open 24/7 and DD says there are always students out walking around and she feels safe, but the parking garage is empty and that creeps me out.

Every school is different I think.
All residence halls are closed effective Dec. 12 and no one is supposed to stay over the break. Maintenance is done on all units during the break.

I don't know if they all have to empty their rooms over the break but he will need pretty much everything he brought with the exception of the bedding (which probably need to be washed) and cleaning supplies when he comes home, he said he's moving completely out - we didn't buy most stuff just for college, he took what we already owned.
His room is bare compared to most - he said he didn't want to deal with alot of stuff.

He'll be attending a closing for the break meeting when he goes back to school so maybe he'll know more then.

That is interesting that the students have to move everything out over the winter break. The dorms all close here (except for the apartments) too, but the kids can leave their items in their rooms.

Glad to hear everyone is doing well. Our daughter still has a ways to go but considering she had literally never been away from us for more than a night (and then only twice), we're happy with where things are. Academically, she's fine. Socially, she's (as expected) struggling somewhat but she's relatively happy. We've seen a lot of growth and maturity.

She has class through Tuesday and then will be home the rest of the week before going back for two weeks and then home for about three weeks (half of which will be spent on vacation with us). She did end up registering for fifteen hours in the spring because she was torn between two great classes.

I think we'll probably continue our routine of having her stay there most weekends but seeing her on both ends most of the time. That seems to work for us for now. Things will be a little different as my husband was just named chair of his department and he'll have a lot of different responsibilities going forward. She's only an hour away so it shouldn't be a huge deal but he won't have as much time as he did this semester.

Hope everyone has a great break with their kids! Thanks for the heads - up for the SNL skit. We watch every week but only the opener and the news. It's on DVR and I'll look for that skit.

Happy Thanksgiving!

It sounds like she is adjusting well! That's so wonderful! I was talking to a mom of a former student recently about how her DD (who has autism) could make it to college one day given the gains she has made in just a few short years. She is doing cheer and soccer now which would not have not turned out well a few years ago. I'm glad your DD is having a successful first semester!

DD took her Chemestry lab final last week, so that class is off of her plate. She said when she was standing behind a girl at the fume hood, the girl fainted. DD caught her and eased her to the floor, saving her from a possible head injury. The girl was okay. She said she had not eaten all day and it was around 2:30pm.

A tragic accident happened here over the weekend with 4 upstanding kids from DD's university. They were t-boned by someone driving a stolen vehicle. Two of tbe students were killed and the other two are in the hospital. The two that were killed were each in a sorority and fraternity and were very well known. We'd seen one of them many times because he was a server at a pizza place we like to dine at. The story is so incredibly sad. Of course the driver had no injuries. He fled the scene on foot, but was tracked down by police dogs. My heart aches for the families of those students. Hug your kids when they come home!

 

[bittybabygrower]

Hope everyone whose kiddies came home are having a good holiday with them! I just cruised the thread, I haven't been on in a while, took a couple of classes for my masters and was just too busy! My kiddo had a rough start, got a concussion at ROTC PT, was out of whack for a good month. Had to sit out band for 3 weeks, lost her spot and was an alternate. Had to fight pretty hard to get it back. Loves all her classes except chemistry, can't stand the prof or TAs. Gets along with all 3 roomies. She did have a meltdown over next semester scheduling as she was closed out of two classes, she is already going to be a "super"senior as she will be there an extra semester due to her internships, and was having a fit over the prospect of being there a full year. Luckily she has a great advisor who pulled strings to get her into them. She just has to take the next chemistry circuit at community this summer. She was also offered a research assistant job for next year dde00 $15 per hour, not shabby! So just have to get thru finals week and one semester down! I have missed her terribly...she is so busy, especially with marching band. Practice for 3 hours every night and mandated study hall 2 nights a week for 2 hours. But she has already made some great friends and will be rushing for their service sorority for band. They really take care of the underclassman! Enjoy your holiday weekend!

 

[Bluestars]

IDoDis, what a horrible thing to happen to those young people. How incredibly sad for their family and friends.

bittybabygrower, it sounds like your daughter has had an eventful semester!

My son arrived in town today and we had Thanksgiving dinner with him. This is the first time he has been home since he left for school in the middle of August. He is enjoying seeing his friends and also just chilling out in his room watching TV. He isn't allowed to have a TV in is dorm room, plus his dorm bed is not comfortable, so little things like relaxing in his room and using his own bathroom are like luxuries now.

 

[njmom47]

IDoDis, such sadness for all involved.

Is it just me, or do other parents of college kids seem to be more aware of what is happening in the news with other college students (missing student from West Chester, missing football player from Ohio State, deaths from alcohol poisoning, etc)?

Ds came home last weekend, then came back on Wed. Professors let them leave early, as the school is in PA where they had a decent bit of snow. I was very worried about him driving home on the NJ Turnpike.
He hasn't slept home since he's been back...but is hanging out at his friend's family's beach house with his crew. I did mention he needs to find a job for winter break, although not sure who hires for a month. We do have a family friend who is a manager at a local eatery; he might just have to suck it up and work there.

 

[Bluestars]

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

We just dropped our son off at the airport. His visit was great. We had a nice meal together. He alternated spending time with us and is friends. It's funny because he went out last night at 11:30 pm. That's the time he used to get home when he was in high school and went out at night.

He comes home in two weeks. It turns out that he doesn't have a two week program with the Army, he just has early move in with his Rudder's Rangers group. That means he will be home for a month. He says that he has only one final exam. Is this typical? I can't believe he doesn't have a final in classes like political science and Arabic. I hope he knows what he is talking about. Gone are the days when I checked up on his schedule.

 

[mom2rtk]

He says that he has only one final exam. Is this typical? I can't believe he doesn't have a final in classes like political science and Arabic. I hope he knows what he is talking about. Gone are the days when I checked up on his schedule.

My son only had one final during the first semester of his freshman year (last year). This year he has finals in all of his classes. Part of it was luck of the draw with the classes and teachers he had, but he said he also thinks it was partly trying to ease the freshman into things.

He won't be done until the bitter end this year. His last final is Friday the 19th.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

My son just left to pick up his friend and go back to college. The week went by so quick.

He spent most of his time at home. I was very surprised at that until he told me his 2 best friends were out of town with family.

He'll be back home before we know it though - Miss Lola Kitty is already sad and pouting and he just left 30 minutes ago. She is sitting on his bed occasionally meowing sadly.

And on a funny note, he almost left a bunch of his laundry. He'd finished drying it last night and forgot about it.
Luckily my DD was doing hers and asked him if he'd taken his laundry out of the dryer yet. He said Ooops and went upstairs with his suitcase to load up.
Just when you think they are nearly grown up something happens to remind me that he's not quite there yet.........

 

[sk!mom]

We dropped DD back at school a couple of hours ago. We're still on the road home. We picked her up on our way through and then spent the holiday weekend in NW Arkansas and Branson. We had lots of fun, family, food, and shopping. She was ready to get back to school though. She had us up at 5:00 this morning so that she could be back by lunch time. That's a switch!

She'll take her last final on the 11th and will head home for a month on the 12th.

Glad everyone has had good visits!

 

[bittybabygrower]

Just dropped girly off and back home, that 8 hour round trip is a killer. I could tell she was antsy to get back. Funny, they are the same but different. Two weeks and she is home for a month. There is a chance she may be going to Texas over New Year's if the football team makes a Bowl game. Exciting stuff for a freshman!

Glad everyone had a good visit, and good luck on finals. Mine is already fretting over her chemistry final. The kid is taking Zantac and eating tums over this class.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm making our 7 hour round trip in the morning. Leaving here about 4 AM to get him back in time for his 8 AM Differential Equations class. Now I look at the forecast at school and it appears the last hour of our drive will be through freezing rain. Oy. Not excited about that. But he has tickets to the KC Chiefs game tonight and won't be home until very late.

3 more weeks of school then home for a month!

 

[Pembo]

DS went back this afternoon, dh took him back, good male bonding time. He got home Tuesday afternoon. The time went really quick! The house already feels so empty without him! Or maybe that is all the food he ate!!! That boy ate everything. He really dislikes or is tired of the food at college. He was very happy to eat lots of home cooked meals.

 

[IDoDis]

My son arrived in town today and we had Thanksgiving dinner with him. This is the first time he has been home since he left for school in the middle of August. He is enjoying seeing his friends and also just chilling out in his room watching TV. He isn't allowed to have a TV in is dorm room, plus his dorm bed is not comfortable, so little things like relaxing in his room and using his own bathroom are like luxuries now.

That's great that your DS was able to enjoy the comfort of his own bedroom for a few days. I'm sure he doesn't take a soft bed and some TV time for granted. Is he still pretty certain he is going to leaves the Corps?

Just dropped girly off and back home, that 8 hour round trip is a killer. I could tell she was antsy to get back. Funny, they are the same but different. Two weeks and she is home for a month. There is a chance she may be going to Texas over New Year's if the football team makes a Bowl game. Exciting stuff for a freshman!

Glad everyone had a good visit, and good luck on finals. Mine is already fretting over her chemistry final. The kid is taking Zantac and eating tums over this class.

My DD is in Chemestry, too. I feel your pain hearing about all of the work -- pre lab and post-lab write-ups every week. DD still has a class exam mid-week and the class final to go in this final push. She's taking an optional practice exam tomorrow evening, so that kind of makes it 3 tests for the lecture class within the next 7 school days. Thankfully the lab is finished. Organic Chemistry looms in her future. I'll be thinking of your DD. I wish her the best on her final exam.

 

[bittybabygrower]

Good luck to your DD also! She despises this class, and has a not so hot Prof for it

 

[2Kds2K9]

DDs friend just tweeted the following: "just watched a girl cry during her presentation and then walk out of class (hashtag) itsbeginningtolookalotlikefinals"