Parents of the Class of 2019

[mom2rtk]

@mom2rtk - Saturday sounds really..."real".

DS doesn't move in until Aug. 25th. We went supply shopping yesterday, and clothes shopping today. I found out he's nervous about laundry, even though he's done some here.

Really "real". Yep. At this point I'm just "whatever". Let's get it done. I'm tired of anticipating it.

I'm sure your son will be fine with the laundry. Just remind him mom is only a text away. Mine sent me a text of the machine when he did his the first time so I could help him with the settings.

 

[mom2rtk]

Room assignment, forced triple, top floor, to make matters worse, her roommates are moving in 2 days early (one for sports, the other for a Jewish organization on campus). I’m guessing she is getting a top bunk!

Ugh. The only silver lining to my DD leaving so early is that she gets first crack at the room.

 

[bjscheel]

Ugh. The only silver lining to my DD leaving so early is that she gets first crack at the room.

That will be nice. In her mind, DD has chosen a side of the room (by the window) but I don't know how that will actually be decided!

 

[PollyannaMom]

DS purposely chose the top bunk at orientation. He's always kind of liked the idea, and we never needed them, as he's an only child. I think he'll probably do the same for the semester.

 

[portocall]

Our son isn't taking a car either. The campus is small and he really doesn't need it. I can't believe that move in day is just days away. I am so excited for him.

 

[soccerdad72]

Son got his move in time last night. All freshmen move in the same day (Aug. 20th), but they have staggered times to try to alleviate the traffic. I actually thought we'd get a pretty early time because I had heard that the times are earlier for those on higher floors (he's on the 5th floor of a 7th floor dorm). Turns out his move in time is 11am (earliest was 7am). All in all, not too bad - I just hope it's not too slammed with people that all moved in the first few hours. We'll still be going up the night before, since it's a 4 1/2 hour drive and I don't want to have to leave at 6am.

 

[MerissaAndMomLoveDis]

My DD leaves for school on Saturday too, sort of. She flies to California on Saturday for her university's Engineering summer program from Aug 3-30, then will be home until we fly out for move in on September 17. Orientation starts on Sept 18, first day of classes is the following Monday. Stanford starts school a lot later than most. There are two weeks a year at my work that are absolutely crazy town and exhausting and take lots of prep leading up to the week, and this week was one of the two. I am so not prepared for her to leave on Saturday. I'm also feeling some mom guilt because I have worked so many hours the last two weeks (actually the last month since I went back to work after surgery) and I've barely seen her. I cancelled my physical therapy appointment tonight and was able to take off tomorrow so I can help her finish washing and packing, go to the store to pick up toiletries she'll need for the month, etc. We have a "taking to Fall move in" mountain on the dining room table, and smaller "taking to summer program" piles in the living room. Figuring out how to get everything she needs for the dorms for the summer program into bags she can manage by herself from the airport feels like putting together a puzzle. At least the next month will give her a better idea of what she REALLY needs and wants for her dorm room.
Re: car -- DD cannot have a car on campus as a freshman. Does anyone have Farmer's Insurance -- I am curious if Farmer's has the discount for drivers going to college out of state and not near your insured cars most of the time? I need to make a note to call our agent!

Where did the summer go??? We did have a birthday/belated graduation/leaving for college party for her and 25 of her friends 2 Friday's ago on the rooftop of a local restaurant, and the kids had so much fun. The pictures I took of them playing a giant Jenga game are priceless.

 

[mom2rtk]

My DD leaves for school on Saturday too, sort of. She flies to California on Saturday for her university's Engineering summer program from Aug 3-30, then will be home until we fly out for move in on September 17. Orientation starts on Sept 18, first day of classes is the following Monday. Stanford starts school a lot later than most. There are two weeks a year at my work that are absolutely crazy town and exhausting and take lots of prep leading up to the week, and this week was one of the two. I am so not prepared for her to leave on Saturday. I'm also feeling some mom guilt because I have worked so many hours the last two weeks (actually the last month since I went back to work after surgery) and I've barely seen her. I cancelled my physical therapy appointment tonight and was able to take off tomorrow so I can help her finish washing and packing, go to the store to pick up toiletries she'll need for the month, etc. We have a "taking to Fall move in" mountain on the dining room table, and smaller "taking to summer program" piles in the living room. Figuring out how to get everything she needs for the dorms for the summer program into bags she can manage by herself from the airport feels like putting together a puzzle. At least the next month will give her a better idea of what she REALLY needs and wants for her dorm room.
Re: car -- DD cannot have a car on campus as a freshman. Does anyone have Farmer's Insurance -- I am curious if Farmer's has the discount for drivers going to college out of state and not near your insured cars most of the time? I need to make a note to call our agent!

Where did the summer go??? We did have a birthday/belated graduation/leaving for college party for her and 25 of her friends 2 Friday's ago on the rooftop of a local restaurant, and the kids had so much fun. The pictures I took of them playing a giant Jenga game are priceless.

So is Stanford on a trimester system? I went to Northwestern and always started the third week of September. I was talking about this with my daughter yesterday. It was nice in some ways, but mostly annoying to watch everyone else head off then sit around and twiddle my thumbs. Well, I was working, so not literally twiddling my thumbs. But mentally I was.

Good luck getting your DD off tomorrow! It might not be the start of the school year for you, but I'm sure it will feel like it.

My son called last night. He's getting nicely settled into his new job and has found an apartment. He will be living about 10 minutes from my daughter's dorm. That is such a huge mental help.

 

[MerissaAndMomLoveDis]

So is Stanford on a trimester system? I went to Northwestern and always started the third week of September. I was talking about this with my daughter yesterday. It was nice in some ways, but mostly annoying to watch everyone else head off then sit around and twiddle my thumbs. Well, I was working, so not literally twiddling my thumbs. But mentally I was.

Good luck getting your DD off tomorrow! It might not be the start of the school year for you, but I'm sure it will feel like it.

Stanford is on a quarter system, but tuition year and aid and dorms are based on Autumn/Winter/Spring quarters. Summer is considered separate. So it is similar to trimester. I think next summer DD will be in the same position as you were. Best wishes to you and your DD too tomorrow!

 

[bigbabyblues]

mom2trk - How did things go today?

 

[design_mom]

Room assignment, forced triple, top floor, to make matters worse, her roommates are moving in 2 days early (one for sports, the other for a Jewish organization on campus). I’m guessing she is getting a top bunk!

I hope she gets the bunk she wants. I was in a quad my first year and I moved in early just to ensure that I’d get a TOP bunk. I did not want to be in the bottom bunk (still wouldn’t). Hopefully one of her roommates feels the same way.

DS got his official dorm assignment this week and it’s the same as he learned from “the hack” a few weeks ago. It’s the unrenovated, far from everything, 150 year old, “haunted” dorm. And it’s s smaller-than-average room to boot. But he did get his chosen roommate and a double room, so he’s happy about that.

His roommate’s mom invited me to dinner on Tuesday to talk about dorm stuff, so hopefully that will go well. She seems friendly but I don’t know her well. I’m starting to gather stuff for DS. I still have a lot of odds and ends to consider, I think.

DS moves in on Aug 22. Hugs to all whose kids are leaving earlier. I think my husband has been in denial but the growing pile of “stuff “ in our dining room is forcing him to face reality. He’s starting to freak out.

 

[mom2rtk]

mom2trk - How did things go today?

Thanks for asking.

It was a long day but went really well. Our son living in the area met us for lunch and pretty much spent all day with us. Then after dinner he took her back to his place to hang out for the evening. Having him there smoothed the transition so much. It almost felt like cheating.

The whole thing is just wild. She chose the school a long time ago, before he even thought about living there. He's only been there a month, but is settling in nicely.

Big sigh of relief today. But still waiting for the full impact of all of it to hit me.

 

[mom2rtk]

That will be nice. In her mind, DD has chosen a side of the room (by the window) but I don't know how that will actually be decided!

Seeing the room yesterday, she really did get the far better side of the room. My son's dorm had beds on 2 sides of the room, so both sides were very similar. This room had the beds perpendicular to the door. Hers is the far one against the wall by the window. The other bed is sort of out there in middle. She's open to moving things when the roommate arrives, but unless they bunk them, I'm not sure what else they'd do. Putting one on each side just won't work because of the cut out the desks are in.

 

[bigbabyblues]

mom2trk - glad to hear it went well! I'm sure it is good to have her brother nearby.

Once the next Amazon order arrives with his backpack and a two other small things, I think we are finished shopping until he gets up there and settles in. His pile doesn't look as big as I thought it would, but he has everything he thinks he will need, so all is well. DH is still needs to make the shelf for his desk, but it will be exactly what he wants and he already had the wood, so that's one less thing to buy.

 

[design_mom]

Seeing the room yesterday, she really did get the far better side of the room. My son's dorm had beds on 2 sides of the room, so both sides were very similar. This room had the beds perpendicular to the door. Hers is the far one against the wall by the window. The other bed is sort of out there in middle. She's open to moving things when the roommate arrives, but unless they bunk them, I'm not sure what else they'd do. Putting one on each side just won't work because of the cut out the desks are in.

DS's room is weird that way, too. You can't do the traditional "your side" and "my side" due to where the (shared) closet is located. It's a weird room.

 

[tink1970]

We're not letting our son take his car

Ours isn’t taking the car either.

No car right now for DD, considering she's going to be 3 day's drive away,

Our son isn't taking a car either.

I feel so much better! DD has been throwing a hissy fit because she can't take her car. First, how does she plan to get it from FL to MA? Second, if she has gotten into 2 accidents (1 involved a fence) in flat, sunny Florida how does she think she's going to avoid that in hilly, snowy, icy, potholey Worcester, MA? SMH...

We fly to Providence and drive to Worcester Aug 20th and she'll move in early Aug 21st since she lives more than 500 miles away. Orientation is the 22nd-25th and classes begin the 26th. I am ready, as is she. Most of the Florida state schools begin around the same time so at least she won't be sitting at home while her friends start their new chapter.

Also, has anyone else been subjected to the "what are you going to do with yourself now that she's gone?" questions? It's really annoying. I asked a former co-worker who said I should tell these (nosey) people I'm planning on getting pregnant. That should end the conversation, I'd think!

 

[MerissaAndMomLoveDis]

tink1970. My DD is my only child, and I have been bombarded with the "what are you going to do with yourself when she is gone" question. Yes, very annoying!!! Your co-workers response idea made me laugh out loud!!

 

[tink1970]

tink1970. My DD is my only child, and I have been bombarded with the "what are you going to do with yourself when she is gone" question. Yes, very annoying!!! Your co-workers response idea made me laugh out loud!!

I think it's reserved for moms of only children, maybe? Feel free to use it-I'm going to enjoy watching people's responses

 

[Lynne G]

Nope, I have two, and since the youngest is going away, how will it be, won't I miss her? Well, yes I will miss her. Didn't answer what I would be doing. Heck, with cell phones, I am sure I will be able to text or call her every so often. And luckily, she is not too far from home.

I have to say, with work, and friends, I have not seen much of her this summer, anyway. Getting closer though for us, 3 more weeks, with her also starting the 26th of this month.

 

[donac]

Good luck to all of those who have kids starting college. It is a tough transition but it will work out (I have been through it twice.

It does feel a little strange to have an empty house but it works out. Don't let anyone tell you how you should feel. My older son was nerve racking but in the long run worked out. My younger son from the time he was a junior he knew the field he wanted to be in. From the time he saw his college he knew he wanted to go there and was accepted before Thanksgiving break. He was so set for college that I had no fears. I did cry a little because I would miss him but I knew he was in the right place at the right time. 4 weeks later I got the shingles. Everyone told me it was because I was upset and anxious about him being away. Nothing was further from the truth. Don't let anyone tell you how to feel