<p>Just back from Columbia to move freshman daughter into Maxcy dorm. Thankfully the weather cooperated and we did not have to contend with oppressive heat. USC Welcome and dorm staff were very helpful and made move-in at Maxcy a breeze. I have a cousin whose daughter is also an incoming freshman and they reported that the waits at Patterson for elevators were lengthy, but not unexpected considering the size of the the dorm and number of girls assigned there. </p>
<p>There was a a short parents meeting which covered a few basics. Apparently certain rooms in Maxcy had AC issues, but daughter's room felt like an icebox to me. She and her roommate were very fortunate to be assigned a lovely and spacious second floor corner room. </p>
<p>One note of caution -- we came within seconds of having our packed van towed! Made the mistake of parking in a reserved spot -- they are serious about these reserved spots being left open. For other "newbies" down the road, heed the warning. Husband came back to the van with the tow truck waiting, thankfully we only received a $25 ticket == and we accepted that gratefully rather than have to chase down an impounded vehicle.</p>
<p>I guess USC is no different than any college campus, parking enforcement is a major revenue raiser. Last time we visited USC I got a $7 parking ticket -- even though it was virtually impossible to read the meter because it was so caked with dirt and bird droppings. </p>
<p>Aside from this minor incident, all went smoothly. Tips left from other CCers really helped us, as well as PM messages from "veteran" USC parents. Duct tape is a MUST and don't forget the tools. Would love to hear how move in day went for others.</p>
<p>Daughter is in heaven about everything at USC -- now if only her mother can cope with the bittersweet feelings.</p>
<p>glad your move in went smoothly DonHo! I'm here now moved S into his off campus complex..a luxurious "step up" for junior year..dishwasher,washer/dryer!! S was in one of those Maxcy rooms with the a/c problems,also the tiniest room freshman year but he wouldn't have traded living in Maxcy.He met all his current roomates there.
hope D is enjoying the welcome week activities and taking advantage of all the freebies and entertainment.Did she do "first night carolina" and the reading experience ..forgot what they call it....</p>
<p>glad everything worked out for you and your D, Don. I also moved my daughter into Maxcy this weekend. Found out that we could start moving in on Friday so we moved a lot of stuff on friday and tackled the loft and futon on saturday. She has a single room and it is probably the smallest room I have ever seen. also have the A/C problem as well. But my D wouldn't trade it for the world. We live in Columbia, so I suggested she may want to stay home this weekend... NOT!!! she stayed in her hot room Sat nite, I brought a fan over the next day. She is just loving it right now. She is in a basement dorm. I was happy about that - no stairs to climb.</p>
<p>Hopefully the AC situation will improve ProudDK -- with the doors being open all day during move in, it probably was difficult for the AC to keep up. Glad to hear your D is loving life at Maxcy too. My daughter is enjoying all the first week activities before classes start on Thursday. First Night, Summer Reading Experience, Convocation, and Recruitment -- she is having a ball. Says she has met tons of great people in her dorm :) It's a really exciting time for them all.</p>
<p>Just moved my freshman daughter into McClintock on Sat. It all went very smoothly. Her room is actually bigger than we thought, plenty of storage. Made a trip to Target to pick up a few extra items that we didn't pack. She seems to be adjusting just fine wish I could say the same. Very hard to let go especially since we live so far away. Cannot wait for parent's weekend!</p>
<p>It does get better; at first you feel such a void but as time passes on it's amazing how you adjust. We had our son who is now in his first year of Med school and our D who is now a junior at USC both home at the same time for a while this summer for the first time since he graduated from HS. His previous summers for the most part were all spent away either doing service, travel/study etc....</p>
<p>To be honest, I am kind of enjoying the quiet right now. Five or six years ago I would NEVER have believed myself capable of saying that. Do I miss them? Yes, everyday. However knowing that they are as happy as they are, and seeing them achieving their dreams more than makes up for the loneliness.</p>
<p>Hello New Gamecock Mom. I'm glad to hear that your daughter is adjusting OK. You will adjust just fine also. I sent my (only) daughter off last fall; it took about a month to adjust. Much like Eadad, I began to enjoy my new found freedom. I still miss her and look forward to every break, summer as well as parent's weekend, but it does get better. You said that you are far away...where are you from?</p>
<p>Hi Carol,
We are from northern New Jersey so unfortunately weekend trips are not really an option. I know it will get easier and thankfully she has either called me or texted me,(she is determined to teach me that skill), every day. This past year has just flown by so hopefully the next six weeks will also. I do still have my 12 year old son home. He is afraid though that I am going to start "babying" him again now that he is the only one home. OK so maybe I will just a little at first.</p>
<p>As anxious as I may be with her so far away I am very excited for her because it will be a great experience and I do get a sense that the school really cares about the kids and wants them to succeed.</p>
<p>newgamecockmom
welcome!
just so you know, we are from NYC suburb-on Long Island, S is starting junior year.If you need any north to south advice,ask away!</p>
<p>Newgamecockmom, you are not alone -- I feel the same way you do. It is an adjustment, but it helps parents when they hear their college kids are doing well and are happy. Cell phones are a life saver and texting is essential -- learned that skill myself this year. Hang in there and take it a day at a time, that's what I'm doing.</p>
<p>I finally had to learn to text this summer to keep in touch with S who couldn't answer a cell phone while working his internship but could answer text messages..necessity made me do it!!</p>
<p>Thank you all for your kind words. It is definately strange not to have her here but I have talked to her every day and that really helps, and it means alot that she is doing the calling. </p>
<p>Cathy I grew up in Bellerose, NY, not a native NJersian, so I know Long Island. Actually I am curious as to what you do at the end of the year. I have heard some people who live far away just put their things in a storage center there rather than bring it all back.</p>
<p>Yes the thing that most OOSers do is find a storage facility, usually shared with three or more other friends to defray the costs. We have been the party securing the space the last two years and have been reimbursed by the kids sharing the space. I think it has averaged about $100 with insurance per kid for the whole summer (May through August move-in) which sure beats shipping or hauling things back and forth.</p>
<p>There's a very nice, clean and fairly new Public Storage with climate controlled spaces just down from the campus at 1305 Rosewood Drive which is just off Assembly on the way to the football stadium. It is very convenient and a well-kept place. </p>
<p>My only word of advice is to contact them early in the Spring (don't wait until April) to be sure that they have space available. It may mean renting for an extra month but it is worth the added cost. They often have specials like first month for a dollar which helps too.</p>
<p>New Gamecock Mom
Heed eadads words, S got shut out of Public Storage this summer (at least the one closest to campus, theres more than one and there was room in the ones further away) b/c he waited too long to contact them. He used Storage 2000 this year which is on the other side of the river in Cayce..also clean and secure and climate controlled. He shared with two others and the costs came to $79.00 each for the three month timeframe.No problems, you get a code for the gate and a key for the lock.You can pay the fees online. He also was the responsible party and collected from the kids sharing the unit.Everyone had their own keys,so no issues about moving in,moving out.
Gamecock Mom..I grew up in Fresh Meadows(199th street and 73rd Ave),right down Union Turnpike from Bellerose and my brother in law and neice still live there (249th street) my sis did too until she passed away. I'm there all the time,my Mom lives in the area as well (North Shore Towers!) Its a small world!!</p>