A Poll of Parents of Seniors

Parents Forum
1

<p>So, is your child a "ripping at the seams" to get to college, reading the website in every free minute plotting out 4 years, deciding on the optimal strategy for a housing match, already on chat sites with classmates to be...kind of kid?</p>

<p>Or, is yours, like mine both this year and last year, a kid who has done all that was asked of them as far as college apps, very happy with their choice but not prone to moments of excessive glee, not expressing ambivalence overtly but also not 'taking it on' and...likely to not select classes until the day before registration! </p>

<p>The kids on CC seem to really have an "I am on a mission" approach, with my kids it has been more like a "Stroll in a park." </p>

<p>Where is your child on the continuum??</p>

2

<p>I guess mine is somewhere in the middle. He has read up on the school's music department, in particular, and about housing, since he had to get his choices in. He has looked over requirements, but has not started planning what to take. Definitely no chats or anything. It took him awhile to decide upon this school, but I think he is getting more enthusiastic about it as time passes. At this point, he mainly just wants to get high school over with. He is definitely ready to get on with college, but looking forward to a break from schooling, too--and time to practice music more.</p>

3

<p>Mine's ready--BEEN ready for a long time, but he's too busy to spend time on websites, fora or chats. I'm the one on CC!</p>

<p>I imagne this will change once AP exams are over--or maybe when he's done with finals for the year. He intends to come out of senior year with a GPA higher than he went into it with. No senioritis for this kid!</p>

4

<p>My S is probably not typical in that he's convalescing from his dislocated and broken ankle and subsequent surgery...he's very, very pleased about his college choice--particularly the learning he will do (it's a very exciting science program and he's definitely a science kid). He's definitely ready to be on his own and independent...he shows no sign of apprehension (early for that, tho...at 17 four months is still an eternity, whereas at 53 it is but a nanosecond)...but right now he's considerably more focused on the agenda for between now & departure for college...he's directing a play that's in rehearsal; he's learning to manage on crutches & in wheelchair, he has Odyssey of the Mind World Finals later this month...then there's prom and graduation and all the "stuff" that goes w/that...and to the extent he's focusing on "future" at all, it's on what to do w/his very chopped-up summer...his HS ends late; his college starts early, and there's a "must do" trip in between...that leaves him about 5 weeks...2 after HS ends and 3 before college begins...hard to schedule time in chunks of that nature...he wants to earn "his share" (and he will), but this summer is frustrating because of the timing...</p>

<p>Plus, he's very tired...both junior year and senior year have been stuffed to the brim, and both have brought high stress (mostly good, but still high stress) phases and events that lasted a long time (e.g., the ankle will take at least 2 months to heal completely; Odyssey of the Mind started last September and won't end til May 25; the college process--well, you all KNOW about the college process!, etc.)...</p>

<p>So, I'd say he's smack in the middle on the continuum...pleased and looking forward...but not yet eager or restless or anxious...</p>

5

<p>Mine is completely ready to go. He was probably ready a year ago, but stuck it out for that one last year. He's been chatting with '09 classmates for months, met up with them at admitted students days, knows what dorm he wants and is plotting classes now, and is already figuring out how to get there and how to get his stuff there.</p>

<p>He's checked out of HS even before he's graduated and says he can't wait to get moving (just his APs left and he seems quite confident of them, then senior trip and that's all she wrote!). This bird is ready to FLY!</p>

6

<p>I'm not a parent of a senior... but I am one, and I'd have to put my vote in with the first category. </p>

<p>Reading the website in every free minute plotting out 4 years - check
Deciding on the optimal strategy for a housing match - check
already on chat sites with classmates to be - check</p>

<p>What can I say, I'm excited!</p>

<p>Best of luck to you and all your kids!</p>

7

<p>I would say my S is happy about his school choice, but is not going wild trying to figure out the next 4 years. He's thinking more about an upcoming AP test, the Prom, and his girlfriend's corsage. He is also coming off of ankle surgery and is concentrating on his rehab.</p>

8

<p>My D is going crazy right now because she has a very full schedule of events this month (4 AP tests, Senior Art Show, several special senior events such as Spanish Honor Society Induction, Band Banquet, Academic Achievement Dinner, and Senior Awards Assembly, as well as Model UN Trip, Prom, band concert, band rehearsals for Memorial Day Parade, plus her regular tutoring, music lesson, art class....) AND she just got a "summer" job. It is a job she is very happy to have, as it matches with her interests, is in a nice working environment, and pays a little better than a lot of other jobs around here. The catch is, if you don't get your "summer" job now, it will be too late in June as they will all be taken. So she doesn't know how she will fit all of this in - she may have to miss some of the events less important to her (if she is scheduled to work) and make sure she is free for the crucial ones (which she will request off for). Somehow she will manage for this month of May, but I am very glad she didn't have a job like this during the rest of the school year. </p>

<p>As far as senioritis, she reallly doesn't care too much about three of her AP tests, as she doesn't need or want placement in those subjects for college. (In case some of you are wondering why she is even bothering with these expensive tests she doesn't care about, our school REQUIRES students to take the AP test if they take an AP course. They will drop you a full letter grade if you don't take the test.) The one she really cares about is one she has been doing as an Independent Study all year, and she is focusing on that. She and all of her friends are tired of school and school work, but starting to get sad they won't be together next year.</p>

<p>She has not really had a lot of time to think about her college in detail yet. She sent in her housing request a long time ago, as she applied ED, and has a very extensive form to fill out for advising purposes, which is due on June 1. She will focus on that after the AP tests are done. She says she doesn't have any time for the chat rooms of future college classmates and such, and she will meet them next year.</p>

<p>She also found out that a lot of the little scholarships given out at our school require an appliclation (somehow my son apparently never discovered this when he was a senior) and she has collected applications for all she might qualify for from the guidance office and has been working on those, as they come due.</p>

<p>So, in short, there is no time in our house for either severe senioritis or excessive focus on the details of college right now!</p>

9

<p>So many injuries senior year, what a shame. </p>

<p>On his way out the door this morning (it is morning here) my son informed me that last night he had (when he should have been doing a bit more Calculus studying for the AP exam...) made out a rough schedule of courses for freshman year. Oh me of little patience! Also, son #1 sent his plans for: finding a new advisor, flights for the summer and courses for first term next year!! It is all exciting, all good...</p>

10

<p>Stroll in the park here. No val/no sal, probably#3, and very happy. PUtting in an hour on a favorite video game rather than studying for calculus tomorrow - after all, it can only put you into a tougher class! Many of our events - prom, concerts, band trip, Sci Olymp were in April, so it is a mix of AP tests, grad parties, tearful senior events and starting a job.</p>

11

<p>Echo cangel.

[quote]
PUtting in an hour on a favorite video game rather than studying for calculus tomorrow - after all, it can only put you into a tougher class!

[/quote]
At least that's what he thinks re English AP. Calc he cares a bit more. </p>

<p>Loves his choice. Got really comfortable there at Admitted Student event. I expect some anxious feelings as it gets closer, but manageable.</p>

<p>Totally ready to fly, but focused on what's up now, not next year.
He has always been that way. Part of me wants him to dig into what's next. Part of me admires, and wants to learn from, his ability to live In The Moment. He will "get there when he gets there."</p>

12

<p>Me? I also have an injured senior! So, these last few months of senior year are not quite like they might have been. Normally her life is busy 24/7 and it is definitely not as full as she is used to cause she is not in her EC endeavors which are time consuming and involved many climaxes during this time period. She is missing out on those. She has prom. She has had more time for social life things and is kinda enjoying that change of pace though truthfully is missing the things she looked forward to. </p>

<p>She is definitely looking forward to college. I believe she has found some "groups" or lists online of pre-frosh for her school....in facebook and other areas online. She also knows some kids in real life who are going to her school. She also has someone she is going to room with though in an apt. style suite so some in it will be new to her. She got the housing stuff to sign up today but has already spoken at length with the person she is rooming with who put in the choices as she had been admitted ED and my D was in RD but now she gets to file the same information. She has told me that since she has more spare time than she has ever had, she has been looking up things online to do with her school...finding out about a capella groups, shows that are done, various opportunities....reading about it, etc. She talks to others who are going to or who are there. I think her mind is definitely turned toward it all. She does not get to pick classes for freshman year because her program is all laid out for her given the nature of it, for freshman year so that part is not an issue at the moment. My current college freshman D, however, has talked to me about her choices for next fall. </p>

<p>Right now my senior is also looking forward to some events coming up and then to her summer which we have left her original plans intact despite her accident because we think they are all possible to do. She is leaving right after graduation for three weeks for her 8th summer at her theater camp out of state (though normally attends six weeks but not this year). Immediately following that she is cast in local professional adult musical theater production. And now she has created and will direct with one other friend, a youth musical theater program that puts on a musical review that she is creating...and they are getting kids in the community to register for it now, publicity out, etc....and this is how she will be making money! </p>

<p>So, I think my child is thinking ahead quite a bit now. </p>

<p>Susan</p>

13

<p>Mine is in a bit of a funk. He left his first high school to finish high school at a nearby college a couple of years ago and fully understands that he's going to be leaving his friends soon. He's developed more close friends at this school and is sort of blue over it.</p>

<p>He does think he's going to have "fun" at his new college, but that's kind of in the distance right now.</p>

14

<p>Okay - my d is excited and apprehensive. Almost ready to fly, but not quite sure how the wings will work. </p>

<p>I, on the other hand, am weepy when I read the Bed, Bath & Beyond circular. And - when the 20% coupons come in the mail I am in bad shape.</p>

<p>And mine is only going to school an hour car ride away. How are you parents doing with kids who are going across the country?</p>

15

<p>Robyrm, have you been peeking through our window?</p>

<p>** APATHY **</p>

<p>Is my son going to college????? I can't tell!</p>

<p>Housing? Oh, yeah, after I reminder him 3X and threatened to make him stay in on a Friday night he finished his housing app.</p>

<p>Is he getting ready to move into his dorm? Well, he claims he'll just show up with his backpack and clothing and see what his roomate brings. </p>

<p>He's living in the moment......loving every minute of the Spring of Sr. year. College is a future plan.....and not one he cares to discuss or plan for.</p>

<p>It probably doesn't help that his GF has been going on and on about how much she HATES his school. (gotta love thse supportive girlfriends
:( ) I wonder if she's talked him out of it yet....and into transferring to her intended school....which, coincidentally (or, not), was his #2 choice.</p>

16

<p>Now that her decision has been made about where she is going, My d appears completely uninterested in the college process. She definitely does not want to discuss it with me. So here I am getting my vicarious fix from this discussion board. </p>

<p>She is supposedly at Starbucks right now "studying" for the AP exams. Of course she's studying with her boyfriend and other friends who have no AP exams to take. (She's tutoring b/f in college algebra and English or something)</p>

<p>I don't see much of her at all after school these days. I'm really disgruntled with her behavior lately but in the interest of privacy I will not elaborate. It's really nothing horrible, probably the way she has been acting lately is just part of the whole getting mentally prepared to go away process. I'm trying to be mature about it since I'm the Mom and I guess that means I'm supposed to act maturely. But it's getting harder to have the patience not to just yell at her sometimes. </p>

<p>Well, thanks for letting me vent. :o</p>

17

<p>
[quote]
He's living in the moment......loving every minute of the Spring of Sr. year. College is a future plan.....and not one he cares to discuss or plan for

[/quote]

That's mine too - he is just catching his breath from the final musical performance Saturday and tonight performed again at the school board's theatre awards show, where he got an award - then barbershop quartet practice and chambers for the spring concert, and all of the senior activities. He has 4 AP tests to take, and has to decide by tomorrow if he wants to audition for the summer dinner theatre. When is there time to think about college? Probably after graduation in June.</p>

18

<p>My kid is trying very hard to flunk out of high school (so he won't have to go to college??) and blow everything he has achieved this year. :(</p>

19

<p>S is pretty focused on the now - it is lacrosse season and he plays on the current state championship team. They are undefeated so far again this season, and they all are pretty focused on the final games of the year, and of course anticipating the championship game. </p>

<p>The seniors have about one more month of classes. The last week is a senior rafting trip, and a number of parties and other events. Not sure he'll go to prom; maybe. There are also some special events his youth group does to say goodbye to the seniors, so he is focused on that too. </p>

<p>He is also thinking about the summer. Not sure he wants to accept the camp counselor offer he has or whether he should try to make more money. </p>

<p>Then of course there is that pesky thing called school work - APs, final exams, last papers, etc. Like pulling teeth (sorry, don't mean to offend any dentists out there ;) . He also has one more app to do - ugh! - for a special work-study program that is selective. </p>

<p>He is excited about next year but not doing much other than wearing the t-shirts we bought when we visited. I am the one who is saying "shouldn't you apply for housing" and "please pick a meal plan" and such.</p>

<p>I am a little concerned because the week after graduation, he will have some minor gum surgery, and then if he goes to camp, he is gone until a few days before he leaves for school! I told him that if he does go to camp, while he is recuperating and eating all those soft foods, he will have to be packing! And the house rules here are that no one leaves for college until his or her room is neat enough for a guest to stay there comfortably. So there is quite a lot to do on that front (remember TheDad's Urban Moundbuilders?)</p>

<p>So yeah, college is coming, but it is still "next year."</p>

20

<p>"And the house rules here are that no one leaves for college until his or her room is neat enough for a guest to stay there comfortably."</p>

<p>I LOVE this one. Gonna tell my senior. In her case, it might have to be amended to..."neat enough for a guest to even walk IN the room". :D </p>

<p>Older daughter was not quite the same issue. </p>

<p>Susan</p>