Best Wishes to all the '08's....

<p>i took up poker
during the last few years, I sat many a late nite
to see if son 08 was on line thru buddy list aol..it was
always comforting to see him on line even if it was
1 am on a weekend nite,,,now i wasnt talking to him
i just new he was safe in dorm
so i started playing poker for no real dollars at
pogo.com...some say i was beyond helicopter dad
onto stalker dad but it got me thru those late
worry nites especially freshman year</p>

<p>Sybbie -
Hope she takes skiing for on PE - its such a blast and such a deal. Hope all your kids do - to be forced to fit into a busy schedule some time to enjoy winter like that, for credit, it pretty great.</p>

<p>My DH is driving up this weekend to watch DS in a rugby game. Since DH is going up, we asked DS if there was anything he wants DH to bring. Requests were guitar and amp, and Nintendo 64 and four controllers.</p>

<p>He didn't ask for the thesaurus, dictionary, class notes from HS, desk lamp . . . . </p>

<p>Glad my $46K per year is being put to good use . . . </p>

<p>Seriously, glad he wants four Nintendo controllers, since it suggests that he has three friends (at least!).</p>

<p>And I realize we parents of '11s have hijacked this thread from the parents of '08s.</p>

<p>According to DD, there's a lot of work in those 11-3, 3 day a week classes. Lots of reading, writing and keeping up. She had to call to let us know that she got moved into a class with a particular prof that she really wanted to take. That is nerdiness, but I think they all find some prof like that. </p>

<p>Sybbie, another vote for skiiing, DD is not as much a girly girl, but she is super unathletic, and had only been on skis once before getting to Dartmouth - an experience that led her to the ER 2000 miles from home, and a leg boot for a wrenched knee - but she learned enough in one class to feel comfortable, and come back for lessons as a soph.</p>

<p>Chicky called to chat a few minutes. Said it has been an interesting and full week. She went to a law school forum where she met the admission deans from Stanford, NYU, Cornell and Duke (could not make the USC info session). She saw the debate this week but did not go to the big debate viewing (watched it in her sorority house). She attended the resume fine tuning and strictly for seniors workshop given by career services and plans on attending both employer connection fairs and a few more law school info sessions.</p>

<p>
[quote]
DD is not as much a girly girl, but she is super unathletic

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Cangel, no fair as you have met Chicky in real life and you've got her pegged to a "T". Jusk for kicks and giggles I asked her about PE. Parents of the 11's a teachable moment that you will not have to wait until senior year to learn ...</p>

<p>She laments that she goes to the gym to work out 2 mornings a week and does not understand why this is not PE credit.</p>

<p>me: I thought you were thinking about taking a strenght training class for PE credit.</p>

<p>Chicky: oh no, I have found something even better.</p>

<p>me: really, what</p>

<p>Chicky: there is a 2 day nature wilderness first aid course where you can get a PE credit.</p>

<p>me (laughing hysterically) I could see you using those skills now in the wilderness that is NYC. The closest thing you have come to wilderness is being in Hanover. Are you serious?</p>

<p>chicky: Mock me if you will but you are darn skippy that I am getting this PE credit. And I have one even better, I am thinking about taking the one day class in ice fishing.</p>

<p>me(now laughing louder): Chicky you should be a shame of your self.</p>

<p>chicky: no I'm not (and starts rattling off the list of friends that she is taking the class with).</p>

<p>Me: Oh, so all of you are going to get your PE credits in without breaking a nail. What happened skiing?</p>

<p>Chicky: Oh I will take skiing but it is much better that I take it because I want to instead of because I have to to get a PE credit.</p>

<p>You know what we say as parents: You can't make this stuff up :)</p>

<p>Sybbie, what wonderful opportunities! lol
Is she sure that ice fishing does not involve cutting a hole in the ice first? That may break a nail.</p>

<p>We '11 parents will take note of that(PE requirement) but it is all good..........</p>

<p>Good luck to Chicky. Do keep us updated on what PE classes she enventually sign up.</p>

<p>Ok, now I am smiling! You could do far worse than learn first aid and wilderness skills though. But I still secretly hope she might decide she "wants" to ski - its just such an incredible feeling.</p>

<p>Cangel, what are you talking about your DD is not "super unathletic." I'm sorry to say this, but you better watch what you say because she is living right down the hall. ;-)</p>

<p>hey Jen,</p>

<p>Welcome back. I hope that you have an amazing junior year.</p>

<p>So when do all the Dartmouth CC parents get together in Hanover for drinks?</p>

<p>
[quote]
Cangel, what are you talking about your DD is not "super unathletic." I'm sorry to say this, but you better watch what you say because she is living right down the hall. ;-)

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Sometimes you just gotta call 'em as you see 'um. Her interest in athletics is definitely recent - don't let her fool you. It comes naturally, we are a family of sloths with good intentions. She is mroe athletic than her 6'2" bro - he thought a Wii would be a good work-out.</p>

<p>
[quote]
he thought a Wii would be a good work-out

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I agree. With the wireless controller it kinda is. Especially if you play tennis on Wii. ;)</p>

<p>LOL on these posts. :)-especially poker and skiing. What do 08 parents feel about the best ways to have academic success as a new freshmen who is enjoying all the extracurriculars (maybe too much...)? Are those tutoring sessions something everyone should sign up for to give them an edge in class? Or is it something only done after a bad midterm experience. How many hours per class per week studying is typical. My son is very excited about crew and always seems to be going to the boathouse or gym. I'm not sure he's opened a book yet.</p>

<p>Sybbie719- Loved the conversation between you and your daughter. LOL!</p>

<p>Phase - not sure there is clearly defined "typical" but I think that a few weeks in, it becomes pretty apparent just how much studying needs to be done to ensure academic success. Getting involved in all those new extra-curriculars is a great way to quickly feel part of the new community - and it seems to me students stay pretty involved in extra-curriculars (not always the same ones they start out with) throughout - eventually (hopefully sooner than later) they figure out the work habits that are required to balance it all.</p>

<p>Because of the short terms, evaluations (be they midterms, papers, other tests) come along quickly enough to act as a reality check (if necessary).</p>

<p>One thing I would say is that a student has many resources, including the profs themselves, if they find themselves getting a little behind - and they should believe that it is absolutely ok, even common, to avail themselves of any such resources.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>How can I verify what my son is spending on food? My husband just called and thinks he is going nuts at $40/day. I just called my son and he said no way - but food is expensive. He estimates $21 per day. Is there a way to see an itemized listing?</p>

<p>Nevermind. I saw the itemized ccount and spoke w/ dining services. They said $40/day i not unusual and is the norm. I was caught off guard as the Big Green Plan said $1550 per semester and it looks like food will really run closer to $2800. My son is a healthy eater - fruits, vegetables, salads, and omlettes. They said healthier food costs more. </p>

<p>08 Parents - is this what you've found? $40 per day for food? It seems outrageous. 10 weeks 7 day per week $40/day $2800?</p>

<p>Any advice? I want him to eat and be healthy - but this wasn't in the budget.
Plus -of course - he is already sick - but has to wait 3 days before he can get into Dick's place. I suspect mono. </p>

<p>Mood is plummeting. Initial euphoria over first days at Dartmouth- gone.</p>

<p>phase2:</p>

<p>not an '08 parent, but to answer your question about eating -- it really depends on the kid. My S had money left over in his account at end of year after he dropped down to the mini-meal plan and treated all his friends for meals.</p>

<p>For other newbie parents: Dick's House is great, but one must be really agressive to get in, at least based on our limited experience. Unfortunately, most weekends it becomes a EtOH detox center, and is thus full (and unable to cope with stuff it should be handling on campus, such as communicable diseases).</p>

<p>phase2, can you teach me how to log onto the account and verify the itemized bill? My son had in fact voiced out to me last week that he believes he will go over the meal plan. And he is on the regular green plan on which they put all freshmen usually ,not big green plan. </p>

<p>He was feeling guilty that on one occasion he eat $20 worth of food. He also mentioned that he believes it is cheaper to eat in town than on campus, dollar for dollar.</p>