Parents of College Freshman who are now Sophomores... UpDate 7/28/09

[mickeysgal]

DS's visit has been actually pretty pleasant. We have had to have a talk or two or three about the hours he's been keeping. Just because he is on his own at college doesn't mean he can come and go as he pleases here. 2:30 -3:00am is unacceptable. He even secured a job for the summer already - thank goodness - he had a meeting with the lifeguard agency he works for and he told them he wants a lot of hours this summer.

He hasn't bought his text books yet for the new semester. I dread that bill. Anyone buy theirs from places other than the college bookstore which is a huge ripoff?

 

[Amy]

Hi everyone! My DS18 doesn't go back to school until Jan. 18 - he has an entire month off for the holidays. Other than the HUGE food bill and the fighting with his younger brother, it hasn't been too bad. He's still doing his own laundry and sleeping late , but it hasn't been too bad.

New Year's Eve both boys wanted to have their friends over for a party. Younger DS is 17, and both boys were in high school marching band together, so it was a chance for DS18 to see some of his high school friends again. Perfect motivation for them: I told them if they wanted to have a party, then THEY had to clean the house before and after, including the bathrooms. And they did it!

DS18 had his wisdom teeth out this past weekend, so we've been dealing with that. Esp. since he discovered the wonders of Percoset....a little TOO well. That bottle of Percoset is now hidden and he's going to have to make do with Tylenol. Yes, your jaw is going to be sore since they were digging around in there to get the teeth out, but Percoset is ONLY for when you can't stand the pain any more, not just because your jaw is still sore. You're a big boy now and can deal with a little discomfort. Sheesh!

 

[mamacatnv]

DS's visit has been actually pretty pleasant. We have had to have a talk or two or three about the hours he's been keeping. Just because he is on his own at college doesn't mean he can come and go as he pleases here. 2:30 -3:00am is unacceptable. He even secured a job for the summer already - thank goodness - he had a meeting with the lifeguard agency he works for and he told them he wants a lot of hours this summer.

He hasn't bought his text books yet for the new semester. I dread that bill. Anyone buy theirs from places other than the college bookstore which is a huge ripoff?

My DS is also a summer LifeGuard at a water park and this summer will be juggling his new P.T. winter job selling shoes at Scheels sportings goods and being a pool supervisor at the park. It is his 6th summer at the park so he actually will only have to guard as fill in. As for the late hours, for some reason it has never bugged me. He never really had a curfew but we always knew where he was, who he was with and what he was doing. I figure he can keep his own hours as long as he does what he is supposed to do (get to work) and keep us informed so that I don't worry. So far this has worked for us but we got a lot of practice last summer before he left for school. He is usually at his girlys house watching movies until all hours. She is a H.S. senior and went back to school yesterday which means he has to be gone by 9 p.m. on school nights. I suspect we will be seeing more of him for the next couple of weeks.

Books.
Well, I gave DS a whole list of book sites I got here on the DIS last summer and since he chose to take the easy route of the college bookstore he buys all his own books. We take care of supplies, tuition, R&B etc. but he buys his own books.

 

[mickeysgal]

He is usually at his girlys house watching movies until all hours. She is a H.S. senior and went back to school yesterday

Books.
Well, I gave DS a whole list of book sites I got here on the DIS last summer and since he chose to take the easy route of the college bookstore he buys all his own books. We take care of supplies, tuition, R&B etc. but he buys his own books.

That's exactly where DS is...his girlfriend's house watching movies or here with her...watching movies...to all hours of the night.

I'm liking the books idea...hmmmm.

 

[Tess]

DS18 had his wisdom teeth out this past weekend, so we've been dealing with that. Esp. since he discovered the wonders of Percoset....a little TOO well. That bottle of Percoset is now hidden and he's going to have to make do with Tylenol.

Our freshman daughter had two wisdom teeth removed yesterday! Unlike your DS, she took one pain pill and hasn't had another since--I really feel lucky in that regard! LOL Then again, her "swelling/pain day" is supposed to be tomorrow--guess I shouldn't press my luck. . .

 

[madge]

He hasn't bought his text books yet for the new semester. I dread that bill. Anyone buy theirs from places other than the college bookstore which is a huge ripoff?

crap. books.

half.com is where I got most of DS books for the Fall.

 

[dklam]

crap. books.

half.com is where I got most of DS books for the Fall.

DD also got all of her books at half.com. She saved a bundle over what they would have cost at the bookstore. Hopefully, they will all arrive in time or I will be shipping them to her. We decided to have them sent home instead of school, as she doesn't begin 2nd semester until the 28th of January. We leave for Disney on the 22nd for a much-needed vacation!

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

I'm going to have to check half.com. I got one used through Amazon for the Fall semester but he procrastinated and waited until Sunday to tell me he hadn't gotten any of his books... School started yesterday. I went through the campus bookstore online and ordered them. Not sure how many he was able to get used versions of. He did get about half back when he sold last semesters back at the bookstore so they seem fairly reasonable.

 

[Sammy]

School. Cannot. Start. Soon. Enough.

One more week.

OMG!!! I thought I was a bad mommy for thinking the same thing! DD has been back 3 weeks, 2 more to go. I love her to death, but the household has been turned sideways since she's been home. We got used to it being the 4 of us at home and we had fallen into a nice routine and schedule. Of course, she has no schedule or routine...it's just one, big ball 'o vacation fun for her and her friends!!

 

[mamacatnv]

For those of you that used half.com can someone give me a brief breakdown of how it works? DS got on the site yesterday and found several of his books but is concerned about shipping time (we have 2 weeks) making sure they are the same book and if it isn't the return policies. I have not had a chance to view the site, been a little busy at work.

Sammy: amazing how someone that was such a part of the family unit can be gone for a short amount of time and when they return cause so much disruption!

FinFan: Glad to hear you are enjoying your DD I know how much you missed her. Can't blame her for missing that winter Florida weather but she might be singing a different tune come May/June Glad to hear she and ArtGuy are doing well.
We are trying to talk DS into being an RA for all the reasons you stated but he is not interested. He doesn't have to live in a dorm he chooses to live in a dorm and does so because of the experience. He doesn't want to be part of the staff he'd rather we all go into hawk to cover the costs . He is actually considering another year in the dorm he is in instead of moving up to the sophomores or above dorms. I think this has to do with his girly who will be a Freshman in the fall and is also looking to live on campus. Thankfully while our Univ. has co-ed floors they have not joined in the co-ed rooms trend yet.

DS admitted this morning he is looking forward to going back to the dorm, he misses his own routine and schedule also. His girly is back in school, his work hours have slowed way down and he is a little bored I think. He and his BFF spent all day and night playing Xbox yesterday but even that gets old He is used to constant stimulation and I think he really misses it. Some of his new closest friends went home for break and are not in the area. We live in the same town as the Univ. he attends and most of his dormmates are out of state or from Las Vegas which is a 10 hour drive away.

 

[Galahad]

DS admitted this morning he is looking forward to going back to the dorm,.

My son is excited to get back to school too - but for much more geeky reasons. He's a music student. He's almost never in the dorm (his roommate even complains that he is never around). His excited that his earliest class starts at 8 each day and rehearsals are still not over until 10 each night so it builds in an extra hour of practice time each day - "isn't that great Dad?". Who am I to argue.

 

[mamacatnv]

My son is excited to get back to school too - but for much more geeky reasons. He's a music student. He's almost never in the dorm (his roommate even complains that he is never around). His excited that his earliest class starts at 8 each day and rehearsals are still not over until 10 each night so it builds in an extra hour of practice time each day - "isn't that great Dad?". Who am I to argue.

I can't say I understand your position, I have the procrastinator who thinks average is just fine

 

[madge]

OMG!!! I thought I was a bad mommy for thinking the same thing! DD has been back 3 weeks, 2 more to go. I love her to death, but the household has been turned sideways since she's been home. We got used to it being the 4 of us at home and we had fallen into a nice routine and schedule. Of course, she has no schedule or routine...it's just one, big ball 'o vacation fun for her and her friends!!

yes.

that's pretty much how it's been. Although this week, the younger 2 kids have been in school. I've been making DS wake up early with them. He has an 8am class this semester. He needs to get used to that wake up call.

DS has seen some of his HS friends since he's been home. Mostly, he's moping that there's nothing to do and he can't wait to go back.

6 more days

 

[madge]

For those of you that used half.com can someone give me a brief breakdown of how it works? DS got on the site yesterday and found several of his books but is concerned about shipping time (we have 2 weeks) making sure they are the same book and if it isn't the return policies. I have not had a chance to view the site, been a little busy at work. .

I have DS book list (I know, he should be doing this .. but it's my money, so I'll do the shopping ) and most of the books list which edition it is. I go to www.cheapesttextbooks.com and search by title. If I can find the ISBN, even better. It will search sites and give you the lowest price. What I am finding this semester, though, is that some of DS books aren't that much cheaper and when you factor in shipping .. it may be just as easy to go to the campus store.

 

[mamacatnv]

I have DS book list (I know, he should be doing this .. but it's my money, so I'll do the shopping ) and most of the books list which edition it is. I go to www.cheapesttextbooks.com and search by title. If I can find the ISBN, even better. It will search sites and give you the lowest price. What I am finding this semester, though, is that some of DS books aren't that much cheaper and when you factor in shipping .. it may be just as easy to go to the campus store.

DS got motivated and checked out half.com when I mentioned he might be able to save a few bucks. He did purchase a couple of books and like you said he also found that at least 1 was comparible to the Univ. book store price. Now he is trying to sort out the books that are bundled specifically for a class. He said he saved over $100 using the half.com so thanks all for the tip.

I figure if he and his girly can eat at Olive Garden and Ghengis Grill on a regular (weekly) basis while I go once or twice a year so he can keep his happy butt at an institute of higher learning then he can buy his own books

 

[MerryPoppins]

Thankfully while our Univ. has co-ed floors they have not joined in the co-ed rooms trend yet.

I'm not big on the co-ed rooms idea, but I must admit that I lived on a co-ed floor back in 1981-82 at the University of Oklahoma. Our motto was "we do it boy-girl-boy-girl". All joking aside, I knew that the floor had a great reputation and my parents trusted me. Living there was wonderful. In fact, it was the best of the dorm situations I experienced.

Each suite was either female or male and had it's own bathroom. The suites were male, then female, then male again. It was only for upperclassmen and I must say there was no more hanky-panky than I saw my years on all female floors. Let's face it, if college kids want to get into trouble, they'll find a way. I felt safer living near guys than I did on an all girl floor (...in fact, my freshman year we had a rape on my floor.) It was more like living next door to guys in an apartment building, if that makes any sense. We had 2 RAs (one male and one female) on the floor. The girls sewed on a lot of buttons for the guys and the guys walked us where we needed to go after dark. It was just sort of one big, happy family. My boyfriend didn't live on that floor, and I must say I made some wonderful lasting friendships. I wouldn't hesitate to put my DD in a situation like that for a moment and I'm pretty protective.

 

[madge]

bittersweet morning ...

DS left about 30 minutes ago. I'm sitting in a very quiet house .. I should be but I find myself a little sad ..

the last couple of days have been stressful. DS has been ready to go back and started getting ugly about being home longer than he wanted to be Defense mechanism, perhaps? Younger DS and DD were very quiet on the way to school today, after saying their goodbyes this morning. That was hard. They love him so much and miss him when he's gone.

Classes start Wednesday .. DS is taking 16 hours, including a couple that will helpfully boost last semester's average, shouldhavebeenbetter, GPA. He is considering adding one more 1-hour class - conditioning (weightlifting? LOL) at 8am. Better him than me.

 

[RitaE]

Mine is gone!

You know. DH last week said "I know he's been home but it is almost like he's not even here because he's always out doing something."

and I went like this


Oh, you mean other than the fact that he's stomping all over the house and waking me up at 3am every night and he then expects me to wait until 3pm to run the vacuum every afternoon because it might wake him up, other than the dirty dishes and clothes thrown all over the place, other than the 5 bottles of shampoo he managed to empty, other than the daily trips to the grocery store to keep him supplied with Doritos, other than the fact that it is now difficult to tell the difference between the interior of my car and a trash bin and every morning when I get in it the volume is turned all the way to maximum levels, other than the standing puddles of water I find in the bathroom everytime he showers and the toothpaste that gets smeared all over the walls?

Yeah, I hardly noticed him

 

[mamacatnv]

bittersweet morning ...

DS left about 30 minutes ago. I'm sitting in a very quiet house .. I should be but I find myself a little sad ..

Mine is gone!

You know. DH last week said "I know he's been home but it is almost like he's not even here because he's always out doing something."


Yeah, I hardly noticed him

what is it about toothpaste its all over the bathroom DS uses also, I think he gargles it or something! Yesterday I was doing laundry. Just before Christmas I bought 10 Vera Wang bath towels, super soft, cushy etc. I could only find 2......... I opened DS's door, at the end of the bed, all over the floor were MY new soft, fuzzy cushy towels. He's lucky he was at work
DS volunteered to work Inventory at his job and today is on his 3rd 12 hour shift in a row. He has worked and slept while sneaking in some girly time, that is about it, oh he eats too!

He heads back to school this Sunday.

MerryPoppins: I have no issue whatsoever with co-ed dorms. DS has girls across the hall and next door and everywhere else. Doesn't bother me in the least, I think it is a good experience. However, there has become a trend of co-ed roomies and you know, I'm okay with that too except if it is my DS shacking up with his girly, then I have an issue

 

[rascalmom]

Mine has one more week - she'll move back on Saturday. I think she's ready....not sure the rest of us are.

She took a trip this weekend to Tulsa - spent the weekend at one of her friend's houses & got to see the new boyfriend. She won't complain about having her social life back once she returns to campus.

Having her gone this weekend was kind of a reminder to the rest of us how quiet it is with her gone. It will hit dd16 hardest - they are very close even with the 4 year age difference and have really enjoyed each other on break.