This first one off to college stuff is a little tough. Got a kiddo who has never been particularly expressive. We know him well enough to read his body language to tell how he is doing - but when you are relating in texts and the occasional phone call that is tough. He seems somewhat stressed about a few classes, but then at the same time looks to be venturing out and trying lots of new things. I know he’s fine. I know he’ll fall into the routine and I know this is good for him and he needs space to find his way. But man - as a parent - it is hard not to 2nd guess everything.
No news is good news with my boys. If they called during college They either needed advice or money.
Relax, mom. He IS doing fine. Really. Try to avoid more than a weekly phone call- no texts. Plan a specific time/day, such as on a Sunday. Choose a time when he can likely spare a few minutes and not likely to be socializing or too busy with the next day’s work. You get the security of hearing his voice and knowing he’s alive and well, he gets his freedom. Knowing there is the weekly call from home he can prepare for it. Of course he will sound stressed some days- exams, papers… will be on his mind.
Letting go is hard but must be done.
No advice really, as my first just went to college (also a boy) too, but I understand!
Yes, we heard from our kids (S & D) when they needed advice or $$$, but rarely otherwise unless it was some holiday or special occasion & others were calling their folks. It sounds like your S is doing GREAT and you have done a great job as a parent! My kids were especially intrigued and interested when we were busy when they called and WE couldn’t talk long because we were in the middle of something or going somewhere fun! 
Surprise your kids by how fun and busy YOUR life is!
I can relate. I often can’t read him when he’s living under my roof, so a few hundred miles don’t help!
Plan the weekly call. If you send a text (silly pet pic), don’t expect an answer (even if you would love one.) My goal is to keep the channel open so he can reach out if he needs it. Not even sure he’d use it, but…
No great worDS of wisdom, just know you aren’t alone.
Sending a child off to college is something like sending an astronaut up into space for the first time. You know you had everything planned and well thought out. But there is nothing you can do except wait for the signal to come back that the boy/girl is OK.
A key is to have a signal system of some kind, whether it’s regularly scheduled calls, or emails, or whatever. At least in the early days and weeks. Then if you attend parents’ weekend, that’s a time to do a close-up review of the situation.
But mainly you try to be confident that the kid’s inner strength and preparation will be enough. And you look for signs of adjustment – roommates, classmates, activities – to confirm that the kid is developing some normal relationships.
My D had a hard time adjusting as a freshman and boy, did I hear about it. I agree that no news is good news. That’s when we knew things were getting better for her. Now she’s back as a sophomore, and I am wondering if she remembers us:-) Trust me, that’s much better than texts of doom.
@3kidsMultipleSports I feel for you because I am constantly wondering if my Freshman in college is happy. He has only been at school for not quite two weeks and I think about him all day long , just as I have for the last 18+ Years. This empty nest Mom is missing my Son. I will survive knowing that he will hopefully succeed and enjoy his new life. We can only hope for the best.
+1 @1Tiger21 – am really missing my S. So far I have heard from him twice by text-- once for clarification on how to do his wash and once to ask if a certain color T-shirt matched with a particular half zip. That’s it – have no idea how he really is doing and every time my phone rings my heart skips a beat. Am resisting the urge to pepper him with texts – not sure how long I am going to hold out in that regard.
If you haven’t already, send a care package. It always helps me manage my anxiety, and they seem to really appreciate it. I usually send at least 3 a year with some favorite things, and some surprises: at start of school a few weeks in, Halloween, and their birthdays!
@HarvestMoon1 , you are doing as well as I am. I don’t want to generalize but I wonder if Boys are less likely to contact their Moms because they want to exert their independence? I did sort of ask him to verbally call me just so I could hear his voice. He has each couple of days for a minute or two. It might be because I sounded desperate. Oh well, it worked and I felt better after talking to him. Tell your child that you love him and hearing his voice helps you separate from him. It might work.
LOL @1Tiger21 I tell him I love him just about every day (before he left). Think he is sick of hearing it!
Another mom in the same situation here. My D was easier because she texted a few times a week and called once or (occasionally) twice a week; now a junior, she still does. But freshman S’s texts and calls are minimal. He wasn’t very communicative when he was home–a pleasant kid, just not a talker–so I’m not surprised; but I agree that it’s hard.
@HarvestMoon1 , @LuckyCharms913 , okay, I will admit that I have texted him Good Morning almost every day. I also added “honey” here and there. I hope that he will understand my guilting him into calling me. Be Strong. We will survive.
My daughter texts or snapchats me multiple times a day – calls occasionally. My experience with my first was not necessarily that no news was good news – she was flailing and not telling us.
My son has been gone a little over a month. He did come home for Labor Day weekend, and spent a surprising amount of time with us.
I have talked to him on the phone twice. He texts with a question once in a while or to let me know something “we” forgot to pack 
I text him with some little comment or question pretty much everyday. Mostly he answers eventually. I tried not to text him, but I was making myself miserable.
Last night, he texted me to tell me to watch a music video and he would call so we could talk about it. First time he initiated calling me since he left. I was, of course, over the moon.
We have always been very close and talked all the time, so this has been a hard adjustment. I seriously miss talking to him everyday. It is getting a little easier as time goes on…he seems happy.
No girls in our house (besides me) so no comparison, but boys seem to prefer the cold turkey approach. I agree with @Lindagaf that no news is better than the texts of doom! I really struggled with one of my kids, as he really wanted to completely cut the cord and like many, I just missed him, particularly as we had traveled a lot together for his sport, and a big part of my “after school” commitments were now gone. After a lot of conflict and misunderstanding, we finally reached the solution that he would call me once a week, on a designated day and time. That kept me connected and saved me from texting too often, which he found annoying.
A couple of nights ago we were grilling outside and it just happened to be his favorite food. His absence was so felt that I could barely eat. I did not enjoy one bite of that meal. Wondering how long this goes on for – my D called often enough and was away for high school so I didn’t go through this the first time.
…