Parents of College Freshman: please provide feedback

Parents Forum
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<p>I am so very delighted to report that my son is literally living his dream at Duke!!!!!</p>

<p>Whoever said that “Fantasy to reality can never to fantasy return” would be pleasantly surprised at our post-reality perceptions of this most unique and exquisite place. To us, it is STILL a fantasy of the highest order! Approaching the campus, as we did, after a very picturesque drive along narrow, winding roads nestled between jutting pine trees, we felt as if we were driving into a wonderland of natural beauty. We were definitely NOT in Kansas anymore <em>lol</em>.</p>

<p>From beginning to end, our move-in experience flowed smoothly. Having neglected to perform some “bookkeeping” tasks in the early summer when we should have, we figured that we would be in for a long and frustrating experience when we arrived. How wrong we were! We were able to accomplish each of our tasks with ease. On the occasions in which we found ourselves waiting in lines, there always seemed to be someone there to pluck us out of them and enthusiastically tend to our needs. We truly felt like royalty! I have never encountered a more gracious and attentive group of people.</p>

<p>Dh and I visited Cameron Indoor Stadium and went on a picture-taking frenzy especially for our middle son, Max, the basketball fan. We had even brought Max’s jersey with us in case we ran across some basketball players, but alas, we didn’t. We did, however, run into most of the freshmen football guys who were very sweet and accommodating when I asked them if I could snap a picture for my little boy <em>lol</em>. </p>

<p>S had a couple of days of adjustment, particularly to the heat (his dorm room is not air conditioned) and to the shuttle system. Now, after he has attended all of his classes and has become more acclimated to the heat, he is LOVING school. He has some very interesting classes that he enjoys a great deal and which cater perfectly to his unique interests.</p>

<p>He is already fostering friendships with his dorm-mates. Just yesterday, one of the boys suffered the loss of his uncle and was very down. My son said that a group of the guys were planning to spend time with their friend and try to help ease his sense of loss. I am so glad that these boys are already forming this type of support system for each other. </p>

<p>S is keeping in fairly close contact with us, though admittedly much of it is in response to our contacting him. Today, though, I received an unprompted chatty email from him, and I was so excited!!!!!</p>

<p>The only downside of our experience so far has not been suffered by S. It is the sense of loss <em>we</em> feel at the absence of our beloved first child…..Parting was very difficult and emotional, but as my son gave me the last hug, he whispered to me, “Thanks, Mom, for everything you’ve done to help me get here. I realize what an amazing opportunity this is, and don’t worry, I WILL make the most of it!” And really, who could ask for more than that?</p>

<p>~berurah</p>

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<p>Berurah,
It's great to hear from you! I'm so glad your S is living his dream!! Yay!</p>

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<p>We've heard a lot from our S. He's been through a week long orientation and a week of classes. Mostly he's bored. He got credit for the classes like writting or physics that keep many of the other freshman busy and he isn't into the party scene. He's noted that his fellow classmates are so busy trying to impress each other that they seem to be smarter individually than in groups.</p>

<p>Mostly he complains the classes he is taking don't seem very challenging. We note that he's taking mostly electives and hasn't started in to his major yet.</p>

<p>To our surprise, he's spent a lot of time studying, getting ahead in his classes. He does seem to wonder if the classes are so easy, is the school is worth what we're paying for it? We've tried to warn him that he'll hit a crunch before too long, if not this semester, next semester when he's considering taking 3 programming classes. </p>

<p>In the mean time, we've encouraged him to spend his "extra" time getting to know the faculty and seeing if there isn't some way he can get involved in research.</p>

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<p>Berurah, Hooray! After everything you and your son went through last year, it is FABULOUS that he is so happy. There IS a God up there making sure things work for the best for those who believe.</p>

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<p>Berurah - It's GREAT to hear from you with such happy news!!!</p>

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<p>BERURAH! ! !
Great to hear from you!! So glad that you are back on CC. So....the first one's flown the coop....ahh....the bittersweetness of it. Looks like it was a smooth transition, and he has settled in well. Now for you to adjust to him being gone :(</p>

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<p>No news yet, DD left yesterday, arriving after a convoluted airplane flight - involving 4 separate flights and 2 different airlines. She has 2 more weeks before classes actually start, so it will be awhile before there is anything substantive to report.</p>

<p>I feel like that separation article from the NYT!</p>

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<p>Hi Berurah! Missed you! Good to hear that things are going so well :) !</p>

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<p>momof2inca (how ARE those Incas anyway?? <em>lol</em>), quiltguru, MOT, choc, and mstee~</p>

<p>Thanks so much for the sweet greetings! It is so good to "see" y'all too! It just seemed like the right thing to do to come back and cheer all of this year's awesome applicants on their way--I know that my son could not have accomplished all that he did without the encouragement and support of so many of you. I'm not sure exactly what I have to offer in the way of wisdom or advice, but when it comes to moral support, I'm in all the way!! ~berurah</p>

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<p>Berurah,</p>

<p>welcome back:grin: i am glad that Duke is everything that your son hoped it would be and more.</p>

<p>Cangel,</p>

<p>Yes, you have dropped your first born off to be with those people. I heard that she is doing great:)</p>

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<p>Berurah,
Welcome back! So nice to hear about your son at Duke!!</p>

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<p>He will love McGill. There are definitely some bumps along the way. My sister and I both went to McGill (each our 1st choice) and we were both second guessing in our first semester. However, by the time we both graduated we fell in love with the school and never did I regret the decision. I truly think it is the best school in the world.</p>

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<p>We have a little jump on most of you and probably a slightly different experience - my son started West Point on June 27th, three days after he graduated. During Basic Training (known as Beast Barracks) he was allowed two very short calls home. His biggest complaint was the MRE's (meals ready-to-eat) in the field, and the dangerous brown recluse spiders that are apparently prevalent around the Military Academy. While on encampment he slept with his boots on for five nights in order to keep the spiders out. He was also required to sleep, eat and shower with his M-16 within arm's reach. Least favorite experience - Nuclear, Biological and Chemical training.</p>

<p>Academics started three weeks ago - no class larger than 15 students. He seems satisfied with his classes and is thinking about Engineering as a major, given West Point's high ranking in the field. When asked how he likes West Point, his response: "Dad, no one likes it but it's ok and I'll get through it"</p>

<p>Trying to get my 16-year old daughter to look at one of the Service Academies but she doesn't believe me when I tell her they have great dance programs. :)</p>

<p>Also, glad to hear about McGill - my oldest daughter is just starting her junior year there and loves it - I'm worried that she'll have separation anxiety leaving McGill. Although I will say the Canadians are starting to get on her nerves in terms of their left-wing politics and utter disdain for the United States.</p>

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<p>Thanks everyone for the updates - keep those updates coming. Many of us senior parents could use a little reminder that, by this time next year, our kids will also most likely be happily settled somewhere. Right now, that seems hard to believe.</p>

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<p>S is at UMiami and absolutely loves it. Like overanxious mom, I feel very lucky that he calls often, not because he's homesick, but because he is so excited to tell us about his adventures in and out of the classroom. My kids have always been good callers-H says they inherited their M's phone gene.</p>

<p>He says his profs are great, only one large intro class (small accompanying lab) and he is happy with his schedule. He could not have hand-picked a better roommate-"It's like we have always known each other." They have weathered Hurricane Katrina (power outage, flooded dorm), and taken advantage of the So. FL location by trying Cuban food and going deep sea fishing. He and RM play racquetball every night before dinner.</p>

<p>During the first week, the football players went door-to door in the freshman dorms introducing themselves. S and RM opened their door to a 6'8" 275lb lineman-"Mom, he was so-o-o huge." He had lunch with Donna Shalala as she frequently eats in the cafeterias and chats with the kids. He said she was really cool and had on workboots because she was out helping with the post hurricane clean-up. That really impressed him. When we spoke about the Gulf Coast students that will attend UM this semester he said "Once they come here, they'll never want to leave. I love this place."</p>

<p>Fast forward to yesterday. We received a call saying that S fainted in class and injured his hand in the fall. He was taken to the ER for tests. They have attributed the fainting to lack of breakfast and the heat. He had also recently donated blood. All blood and cardiac tests came back fine, but he received sutures in his index finger and has broken his thumb. It is his dominant hand and they are being very thorough. We are now awaiting an evaluation by a hand surgeon. Hopefully, he will only need a simple reduction and will be released from the hosp tonight or tomorrow. His professors have all sent very supportive emails telling him not to worry about anything except feeling better.</p>

<p>So while his great start has hit a snag, his spirits are up (and so is my blood pressure!). He can't wait to return to his new home.</p>

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<p>berurah,</p>

<p>I was so delighted to see your name!! So glad your son is happy at Duke! I know you will have wonderful stories to share in the days ahead!</p>

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<p>My-3-sons, Sorry to hear about the fainting episode. Sounds like he'll be fine. It happened to my younger son this year during our Memorial Parade. He was holding a flag and went down. He got caught by an EMS volunteer who happened to have been standing right behind him! That was convenient. I told him that this was a small lesson that you must drink and eat something before you stand in the heat.</p>

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<p>I love the updates. Arizonamom & Berurah-I was so curious.<br>
Son is in second yr-doing well back "home"(at Redlands). I just received our 1st email-happy happy mom here :).</p>

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<p>Berurah, welcome back! D is also thrilled to be at Amherst. We flew in and did our shopping, and of course, she said she didn't need to use everything on those list I printed from CC, so she wouldn't let us use them, so instead of one or 2 trips to Wal-Mart I made 5-6! Oh, well...she, too has adjusted to the lack of air conditioning, plus the humidity and heat has abated a bit, so things are more comfortable. We talk almost every day, and because she will be taking Spanish, she now insists we communicate only in that language. My D, who hated the heat in TX, and the flatness of Houston, sent me an e-mail that she HATES hills! She is a bit less winded now, and although she thought they would help her keep the freshman 15 off, or lose weight, she now thinks they are merely adding weight in developing large calves and thighs! LOL But the campus is absolutely beautiful with all the wonderful tradition. She is making friends, and none of her classes have more than 15 students in them, except for her freshman seminar that has 24. She said they were reading poetry, and instead of analyzing it, they looked at it from the perspective of a piece of Renaissance art. She is thrilled! I thought I would cry on my seat mates on the way home on theplane, but I was and still am so excited for her, and so happy to hear the joy in her voice, that I didn't cry or anything. She keeps in touch, so I don't feel as though she is that far away, and just revel in her happiness!</p>

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<p>Lamon, my best friend's son just started his freshman year at Redlands. He took a year to study in France after HS but seems to be very happy at Redlands so far, especially with his professors</p>