<p>“She seems much better with leaving, has spoken with many of her friends that have already started and they all LOVE it!”</p>
<p>I think in some ways it’s easier for kids who are among the last to leave. Most of their friends have “moved on” just like your dd’s friends so that staying and being left behind feels weird. They see their friends adjusting to and loving their schools so some of that worry melts away and they start to feel more confident. Ds’s school starts in September, too, and most of his HS friends already are back at college. He’s itching to get back.</p>
<p>Let us know how it goes!</p>
<p>Since starting college is something of a stress for many kids, if you think hers is magnified because she already suffers from anxiety, her therapist might want to fine tune her meds, maybe increase a bit, even if only temporarily. Worth considering since you still have a bit of time before she goes. Good luck.</p>
<p>I made my best friends in college in the first three days. So did a lot of other people I know. EVERYONE is looking for friends/people to eat and hang out with/etc. during that first week. It will not serve your D well in the long run for you to hang around, it will limit her connections with people who are really looking for new friends at that moment. Agree with the Staples/Target run the first day, then vamoose. So if you must be in town, your plan to be scarce is good. </p>
<p>One thing I did after dropping D off on campus was go around town and pick up some gift cards to local restaurants and shops I thought she would enjoy. Got enough at the restaurants (ice cream places, pizza, etc.) so she could take a friend or two. And sent her the cards when I got home so she could try out some things around campus (actually put them in sealed note cards with instructions to open one on the first of each month, with a little pep talk/love you note in each). Helped buoy her up throughout the whole first year.</p>