We moved our daughter in last Saturday for a pre-orientation program, and our son moves in on Monday. It’s been pretty easy in practical terms, because they were very clear on what they needed and had most of it already. Also, they handled all the packing. Emotionally, it’s still rough. Not only are they going away again, but they are going as adults, and may never again really live at home in the same way. Waaaaaah!
Moved DS in day before yesterday. His room is so, so small (there is no closet) and so very hot (no a/c and non-standard window that prevents a window box fan). Yet he is happy, confident, and very excited to be there. In fact, before the appointed kiss-and-cry time, he left us, saying, “I’m going to go meet some new friends, see ya.” I credit BS with that. And so, he’s fledged. Hopefully we’ll see him at the end of Sept when he comes back to his BS, where his sister will be as of tomorrow, for Alumni weekend.
I dropped my DS off on 8/18. He has had a good first week of classes. Of course, the day after drop off his school is all over the news. He is at UNC Chapel Hill and the toppling of the confederate statue made big news. I thought that my only concern in college was him going to frat parties and now I’m urging him to stay away from rallies so that he doesn’t get arrested. I worry that this kid who has lived in New England all his life and attended such a liberal boarding school will make some poor choices in this regard!
Its always something!!
We are starting the private school application process with DS#3 this fall. He’s been working with A Better Chance and that takes off some of the application stress. At this point he’s thinking that he wants a day rather than boarding school. Will see how this plays out!
So how’s everyone doing? How about the kiddos?
I’ll bite. 
7D2 seems to be liking her school so far. Especially now that classes and sports practices have begun…orientation felt overprogrammed and too long for her, I’d say.
I think the biggest thing for her to adjust to is time management…but in the sense of having more free time than she’s ever had before (sometimes only one class per day) combined with 3 hours of practice every day. I think she’s got to get into a groove of doing more homework/reading before practice, before she’s tired. But so far, so good.
Also, it took a few weeks, but she seems to have found a good friend group, mostly from her dorm. It was important to her to have a non-sport-related group of friends in addition to her teammates (whom she likes/has fun with as well).
How about your twins?
There are limits to what I can say, in case they are still spying on my CC posts! 
But they are doing well, as far as I can tell. Lots of work, especially for my daughter who is taking 5.5 classes. She joined an art group and will be writing opinion columns for the school paper. (She says the opinion columns are the ones that get talked about most.) My son is actually a varsity athlete - proving that he was switched at birth - so that takes up much of his spare time. They both have on-campus jobs, so time management is absolutely key, as for 7D2. They both have found friend groups. It’s been pretty seamless compared to my own rocky start 40 years ago. They are not communicating with each other as often or as well as I would like; unfortunately, it seems that the college application process and outcome left some residual tensions between them.
Our son is LOVING his college experience so far. He ended up in a singleroom, as his roommate headed home in less then a week. He has made a nice group of friends. He took the train up to visit friends at his BS a few weeks ago and enjoyed the freedom of not having to check in when he decided to stay overnight.
His classes are relatively easy and he is enjoying the content. When the fit is right- things seem to go pretty smooth.
Glad to hear about some of the BS 2018s’ transitions to college!
Fun news from all! @twinsmama , have you been able to see your son play? (One of the few acceptable ways for parents to show up, ime…)
@gardenstategal He plays a winter sport, so no matches yet. I will definitely be able to see at least one when his team travels, and I may show up for a home match sometime. The drive really isn’t bad.
@twinsmama , Yea for you!! Sounds fun!
@twinsmama Hopefully time will heal any remaing wounds soon! Glad they are doing well individually.
@vegas1 and @SevenDad Good stuff all around!
We had an unexpected trip home for my DS as UNC was at first expected to be right in the path of Florence. Classes were cancelled for almost a week. Was surprised that we could fly him home very cheaply. It was great to hear in more detail about the first days of college.
Kinda slow on the boards I frequent…so figured I’d try to drum up some action here. 7D2 seems to be settling in well enough at her school…not a fan of one of her classes, but surviving. I don’t get grade info (thanks, FERPA!) but she knows she has to have a certain GPA to play, so…
Hello@SevenDad
@SevenDad I know right? Where are all the 2019 applicant’s parents stressing over interview tea leaves? Very quiet around here. Glad 7D2 is off to a good start. Chimneykid2 got a stellar report card today! She has worked harder than most to get to where she is so this calls for a celebration. Tell @ChoatieMom I am getting out the cocktail shaker!
Calling @gusmom2000. She has the bourbon.
I’m not much of a drinker, but I’m willing to learn.
But seriously…what kind of drinking culture have your kids encountered at college? It’s really bad at my daughter’s school: immense amounts of alcohol at all kinds of events that are indirectly sponsored by the university.
At West Point, any underage drinking is an automatic honor board with the (probable) potential for separation. Most cadets won’t chance that. Our son has not directly encountered any underage drinking on-post, but it is rumored that recent Army/Navy football wins may have resulted in a few unverified post-game indiscretions.
Now that he is 21, he is allowed into the First Class (“Firstie”) Club where he can hang out with friends, relax with his beverage of choice, watch sports, listen to music, and count the days to graduation.
My opinion is that college students drink. If they are of age and want to drink, fine. If they don’t, they don’t have to. I don’t think anyone is twisting anyone’s arm.
What gets me is that in this case the college is pretty much sponsoring the excess drinking.
But more to the point of this forum: do your kids feel they were well prepared for college? I’m assuming the answer is yes all around, but I figured I should change the subject!