<p>What is everyone's biggest concern about their kids going away to college?</p>
<p>Mine is grades. My son is easily distracted and might have a hard time focusing on studies instead of parties. I hope he adjusts quickly. Does anyone else feel the same way?</p>
<p>Loneliness. I know he will work hard, but will he reach out to make friends?</p>
<p>In hindsight, I would say mental health. If you see your kids struggling AT ALL, suggest they see a counselor at the student health center. Don’t minimize their concern, if they voice it to you. The freshman year in college is when a good number of kids fall mentally ill for the first time.</p>
<p>No, I worry about the worst case scenario stuff:
car accidents while on road trips with club sport
meningitis
appendicitis
allergic anaphalaxis (even though that has not happened or come close)</p>
<p>this^^^</p>
<p>One of my sons always wanted to try skydiving, and the excursion club at UCSB offers it, and everything else. I hope he focuses on grades, but my worries are much more dramatic.</p>
<p>I worry that she’ll have all her things stolen, from her Tide pods to her cell phone. She’s a kind person, so will give most of it away and the rest will be taken.</p>
<p>I worry about the common sense things. Mine’s really great at school and has killer focus and self-control but when faced with the ordinary hiccups of life, defers to the most complex, outlandish and difficult path she can muster. If she locks her key in her dorm room will it cross her mind to go ask the RA or call her roommate? Or will she break her arm trying to climb through a two story window… just an example but not far from situations we’ve found her in.</p>
<p>My concern was always health, as both have chronic health issues. Things went ok for S and mostly Ok for D, except last 3 semesters were bumpy. </p>
<p>I worry about how well she will deal with stress more than anything for D. She’s a driven kid who finds it hard to ask for help. </p>
<p>Her brother (10 years older) is the official worrier of our family. He worries about everything when it comes to his little sister going to college, from crazy roommates to campus safety to mean professors. He didn’t want her to consider UT because he heard that there were lots of bats in Austin and everyone knows bats carry rabies. (I’m not kidding!) </p>
<p>I really worried about homesickness. My daughter never even went on sleepovers because she liked to be in her own house and her own bed. It has worked out great- she made her college into her home and has never been homesick (with the exception of maybe the first week).</p>
<p>That kids will waste too much time on video games or parties and lose scholarships. I worry about their safety and happiness. I worry about unlikely accidents or potential crimes. I’m a worrier. I know it doesn’t help, but I just can’t stop myself.</p>
<p>That he’ll get in with a drinking crowd and die of alcohol poisoning. He doesn’t drink (yet?) and we do moderately, and try to model responsible behavior, but these kids with their drinking games and chugging, I’m just worried. Also there is alcoholism in the family, so that’s a concern also.</p>
<p>Sorry to say, my biggest worry is violent attack or rape. </p>
<p>My biggest concern is whether she’ll find a group of people to really enjoy. She’s somewhat shy that and homesickness has never been away longer than 2 nights.</p>
<p>Like HiMom one of my kids has chronic health issues, one of which is dangerous overnight. For anyone whose kid has health issues, accommodations can make a big difference.</p>
<p>Our kids’ U made the excellent suggestion that we come to campus early and have our kids have appointments with some internists at their med school campus (with all their med records), to help with anything that was more than the student health center could handle. We also registered with the disabilities office and met the head of the disabilities office. Those all helped reassure us that we did what we could to launch our kids with supports in place. </p>
<p>Not a worrier, but I guess I had concerns. For both of my kids, I was concerned that they would be able to handle all the bureaucratic stuff related to college. Neither (D1 and S2) are particularly assertive. Fortunately, both have gotten better about this. Currently forcing my freshman S to handle his laptop repairs on his own (calling help desk, ordering parts from manufacturer, etc.). He is not happy about it, and calls us for advice at each step, but he’s getting it done. </p>
<p>When each of my boys left for school, my biggest worry was that they learn to stand up for themselves in the wide variety of situations that adult life was going to present to them. To be able to have a healthy relationship with roommates and other friends. To learn to advocate effectively for themselves with professors and administrators. For them to be able to learn to follow their own paths without being swayed by what is popular. And to learn to do all of these things gracefully.</p>
<p>For my d leaving in the fall - she is a pleaser and sometimes has a hard time standing up for herself. For instance, she has been so giddy thinking about decorating her room - looking at pb teen and all the places figuring out what she wanted. Her roommate likes a different color palette and d was ready to cave until I told her it was really important she have her part of her room how she feels comfortable.</p>
<p>She’s also a big mama’s girl. She’ll often say she just likes hanging out at home with me and her dad. Most Sunday nights will find her jumping on me on the couch for a cuddle. (she’s petite so it’s not like I get smothered) Just emotionally - lol </p>
<p>Then of course I worry if she’ll feel overwhelmed all by herself, date rape, putting something in her drinks, keeping up academically, etc. </p>
<p>I worry about grades.
I worry D not asking for help when needed for a class.
I worry D’s mental health.
I worry about D first experiences in drinking. Hopefully no drugs.
I worry about D being able to make friends easily.
I worry about D getting along with the roommate.</p>
<p>General Momma stuff :-)</p>