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

[phorsenuf]

My sons college is a dry campus. No alcohol permitted at all. Can't even have a shot glass in your room. And no, this isn't a religious school.

 

[Jeninindy]

My oldest DS is heading to college this August too, but he will be a commuter student for the first year.......and I still have my son is going to college tears!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have gone through so much with him - he has Asperger's, but when he was younger that wasn't well known (so ADHD/OCD/ODD were his labels) - we spent countless hours in IEP meetings, in special ed programs and we never thought we would be sending him to college to begin with - so many special ed needs that we worked so hard at and finally in the 2nd part of 9th grade, things clicked for him. He has been fully mainstreamed since and thriving.....

He is staying home for the first year to make sure the transition goes well and then he can decide what he wants to do next......so I may be sobbing next year!!!!!!!!!!! LMAO!!

Can we have our own little support chat????

 

[RitaE]

I am fairly certain that if pictures of my son drinking alcohol exist - as his Mother I'd be the last person to ever be informed of their existence and I'm pretty sure that if they are going to be hung in the Dorm room, it would be long after I've already left the city.


Hey, maybe if I bribe the RA he'd promise to make a copy of any evidence he finds and send it to me.

 

[My sister's princess]

I am truly sorry if I offended anyone with that comment, I was trying to be honest and helpful. Many parents know their kids are drinking and don't realize that many teens don't understand the power of facebook and what happens to the pictures that are posted on it.....
What I was talking about was something that could be mentioned to a student, we (students) don't always worry about what those around us think, even when in some cases we should........ Anyway again I am sorry if I offended

 

[mickeysgal]

My friend always kept an outfit on the chair beside her bed so if she had to run out she would save time by just jumping into her clothes. She did it for 6 years. When her last one graduated she said she was so happy to be able to put her clothes away at ngiht.

OMG!!

 

[mickeysgal]

Sorry but there's no way I'd be supplying that, it's wasteful. Supply the basics of regular stuff if they want to make food in their room.

Now see, I am going to supply that. If they have the regular stuff, I know that they won't wash the dishes the *right* way - aka sanitized - especially boys. I'd rather they use throwaways than get sick from eating off of unclean plates, forks, glasses, etc.

Someone just warned me of the high incidence of mono in college freshman. They run their systems down by staying up late, not eating right, then sharing drinks,food, etc.

 

[mamacatnv]

My sons college is a dry campus. No alcohol permitted at all. Can't even have a shot glass in your room. And no, this isn't a religious school.

I couldn't even get my DS to agree to a "substance free living dorm" he is not a partier but he didn't want to be "labeled" he wouldn't agree to an "academic support" wing for the same reason. Oh gheesh, I better hold on this could be a fun ride.

Didn't you also mention that your DS will be wearing a uniform? What type of College is he going to? If you don't mind me asking.

 

[phorsenuf]

I couldn't even get my DS to agree to a "substance free living dorm" he is not a partier but he didn't want to be "labeled" he wouldn't agree to an "academic support" wing for the same reason. Oh gheesh, I better hold on this could be a fun ride.

Didn't you also mention that your DS will be wearing a uniform? What type of College is he going to? If you don't mind me asking.

Truthfully I didn't even realize it was a dry campus until I went to the open house. Not sure my son knew either but this school was his one and only choice. He's going to Johnson and Wales in Providence RI. He is studying culinary arts and they are required to wear their chefs uniforms not only to all the kitchen labs but also all academic classes. For the career he wants this is one of the best in the country so he is willing to do whatever. Wearing a uniform does make it a whole lot easier!

 

[mamacatnv]

Now see, I am going to supply that. If they have the regular stuff, I know that they won't wash the dishes the *right* way - aka sanitized - especially boys. I'd rather they use throwaways than get sick from eating off of unclean plates, forks, glasses, etc.

Someone just warned me of the high incidence of mono in college freshman. They run their systems down by staying up late, not eating right, then sharing drinks,food, etc.

A friend of mine got DS the biggest cereal bowl and a whole pack of throw away spoons as part of his dorm survival kit.

For all of you with kids going into campus housing, was your child required to get the Meningoccal (sp?) vaccine? DS's Univ. mandated it this year.

 

[My sister's princess]

phorsenuf, I am going to school for Hospitality management and have heard amazing things about that school! That is exciting!

 

[mickeysgal]

For all of you with kids going into campus housing, was your child required to get the Meningoccal (sp?) vaccine? DS's Univ. mandated it this year.

Yes, it was required at DS's school.

 

[phorsenuf]

phorsenuf, I am going to school for Hospitality management and have heard amazing things about that school! That is exciting!

It is an amazing school and I have the tuition bill to prove it!
Did you know that Emeril went there, as did Martin Yan (Yan can cook) and Paul Prudhomme (sp?)
He's very excited!

Where are you going?

 

[My sister's princess]

I go to a TINY college soon to be University (can you say identity crisis). It is up in Maine.... We have a great 2+2 Program with a few schools, two years of culinary school then two years of the hospo management, has he thought of anything like that? It helps they say with advancement to have some of the business background as well.

 

[phorsenuf]

I go to a TINY college soon to be University (can you say identity crisis). It is up in Maine.... We have a great 2+2 Program with a few schools, two years of culinary school then two years of the hospo management, has he thought of anything like that? It helps they say with advancement to have some of the business background as well.

They offer business development. I believe the year after next they are going to be offering a degree that combines both in fact.

 

[smschex]

Add me to the list of those crying while reading this thread.

Our oldest DD is going to be about 300 miles away--far enough for her, but close enough for me. It is certainly better than the schools she was very interested in that were 500 and 1200 miles away!

She is going to be studying what she loves and is ready, although she has been alot more interested in spending time with the family lately! I think reality is sinking in for her as well.

I just have a hard time imagining not seeing her every day. I know I will get used to it, I'm just not sure I want to! My head tells me it is wonderful to start a new chapter , but my heart doesn't agree.

 

[madge]

::: breathe in - breathe out :::

DS has a pre-orientation retreat this morning, leaving from campus. He leaves our house in plenty of time, knows the way to the school..... he gets lost and ends up being late

Good Lord.

 

[mamacatnv]

::: breathe in - breathe out :::

DS has a pre-orientation retreat this morning, leaving from campus. He leaves our house in plenty of time, knows the way to the school..... he gets lost and ends up being late

Good Lord.

Oh I hear you - DS is looking on the Univ. website for something and "can't find it, it's not here" uhhuh, Mom finds it in 2 clicks of the mouse. I'm not sure college is ready for him

Snippets of converations with DS over the last couple of weeks:

"Um, Mom, where do I park to get my parking pass?"
"Um, Mom, what form did I need again?"
"Um, Mom I found that form, now what do I do with it?" Duh, read what the form says!
"My poker set doesn't fit in that storage bin you bought me for my dorm"
And the best one.......
"Mom, will I be getting a supply list" Yes, son, college has an urgent need for Kleenex, just like every other school you have attended

 

[justjulie]

and my son's only in his last year of high school! I know he'll do fine and he sometimes tells me he can't wait to go but then I hear the song "You're Gonna Miss This" by Trace Atkins playing in my head and I start bawling like a baby - they really don't know how good they've got it ...

 

[mamacatnv]

Another curiosity question:

How many of your kids have declared majors?

My DS is very up in the air and firmly undecided! He is contemplating secondary education or Physical Therapy

 

[kinntj]

to those parents who are sending their first or last born or anywhere in between to college this year or soon. It must be so hard.

I've been reading your posts and shaking my head about how I'm going to feel when I get there and we have a little time yet with a 4 and 6 year old. I did have older parents tell me to enjoy my kids now at this age because it goes all too fast. Every day I think of what they say and try to do my best to spend the most time I can with my children.

I hope everything goes well for your children on this new adventure.