<p>So fun to hear about these kids "taking off" into their new worlds of film or life in a Harvard or a Brown, beginning at Swarthmore...and it is great to hear about some of our Tulane students. the posts are fun, and yes, I do in some ways feel relief to not be facing the unknowns of senior year in high school as a parent. Duke's FOCUS program has offered the liberal arts atmosphere we were hoping for in freshman year, so we are so pleased, and I think the FOCUS students grouped in dorms by their themes/programs..though not paired up with FOCUS roommates... adds to a quick sense of dorm identity and community for our S, but leaves him open to meeting classmates with other interests.</p>
<p>Interesting and a little sad; S is at this moment watching the Tennessee/Florida game by himself in the common room at Brown . . .. he is a rabid Vols fan, (sorry all who are not so inclined) and I tried to tell him he would probably not find too many like-minded people at Brown. But, when something exciting happens, he calls from his cell phone to share the moment!</p>
<p>I wanted to wait a couple of weeks before posting on this thread to get a better idea of how things are going for D, at W & L. I have heard from her pretty much everyday. She has a wonderful roommate, who is a perfect match, and she seems to be having a great experience.
She seems upbeat when we talk and has joined some EC's. She is not necessarily the most social person, but I think she is trying to change that at school. We even had a little argument over the phone, so it was almost like she was still home. I do have to say that we are still waiting on the facilities people to loft her bed, which was requested on move-in day. I am trying to let her handle things like this on her own, instead of getting involved. It sure has been hard not to call them myself! I think I have a case of Parental Involvement Withdrawal. ;)</p>
<p>Elizabeth, do you have friends from high school or camp days who are in the general area at college? I went to a womens college and some of our favorite times were spent doing that. We met tons of people that way, then they'd come visit us or we'd meet in Boston or whatever. (have you been to Casa B's yet?)</p>
<p>S just started at UChicago. Convocation speech by Dean of Admissions was a classic. Moved in on Saturday, 3 hour Calc placement test on Sunday, Language placement test first thing Monday AM. Physical fitness and swimming tests coming up. So far a good roommate, a boat ride on Lake Michigan, Mexican restaurant downtown with the "house," Second City performance Monday night. So far enjoying the people and the diverse community. Comment after calc exam, "That wasn't bad, I think I can do this." We'll check back in a couple of weeks...</p>
<p>My closest Boston area friend is also at Wellesley. I also have acquaintances at BU and Harvard, but I don't really know them well enough to ask for their help. What is Casa B's?</p>
<p>Elizabeth, I don't know if you are into the whole work-out thing but I think alot of the Babson guys work out at the Boston Sports Club at Wellesley. Not far from the Wellesley College campus, and it could be a good starting point to mix with some of the Babson kids.</p>
<p>It's so great to hear about all the kids. We're so happy that our TDS and TDD finally seem to have settled in to their new surroundings. D loves Paris--though I didn't have any worries with her--the Sorbonne is a lot different than what she expected, but "its all good"--according to her. We got occasional e-mails for the first week and an actual phone call yesterday!--I told her to nip that in the bud; e-mails are fine for non-emergencies: $$$!!. So far she has met some really nice friends. There seems to be quite a comaraderie among the foreign students, but she says that many of the French students are also really helpful and nice.
S is much less forthcoming about Oxford, but what do you expect? He's happy to be in England--they both wanted to go overseas--but his e-mails are pretty postcardie; not a lot of hard information. At the very least, he seems to have gotten over the Cambridge refusal. Nothing of what we expected to be his primary class of observations--British stodginess--but the term is still young! This should be interesting.
--No family weekends to look forward to, but, maybe Christmas in England . . . . hmm, that sounds pretty nice. We'll have to wait and see about that.</p>
<p>signmeup, wow, that is so cool that your kids are both going to school overseas, and in such wonderful places. I think I would have to plan regular visits. When I was in college, I spent a summer in Oxford at University College. It was one of my best college experiences and I have so many incredible memories: punting on the Thames, having picnics at Christ Church fields while watching cricket, all of the cool pubs and underground dance clubs, sneaking into the Dean's Gardens, weekend trips to London and Dublin... So many fun times! I hope both of your kids have wonderful times that leave them with wonderful memories!</p>
<p>Welcome signmeup! Like Ag54, I had a wonderful summer experience at Oxford, and DH got his Masters there in the dark ages, but still has such fond memories. Do you now have any empty nest? Bet it is challenging to be far from them; just the time change makes it tough!
All the best to you!</p>
<p>Had a great conversation with my first year S. He was detailing his workload at UChicago, which is massive. He spoke of how he was up Saturday night until 1 AM studying. I asked him if he was having time to hang out with the many new friends he has made or to have some fun. After assuring me he was, his next response surprised me. (This is a highly social, athletic, kid.) He said, Dad, this IS fun, I love this work, why else would I be at Chicago?</p>
<p>idad, It sounds like your S is living and breathing his classes because he wants to. It sounds like he is highly motivated and interested! You must be thrilled. It also sounds that he is balancing things out with some fun. It sounds like he loves his school! I am happy for you all.</p>
<p>Thank you for the kind words. What most surprised me was that he was not at all like that in high school. The Chicago intellectual environment and small, discussion oriented classes, have really captured him, I hope it lasts.</p>
<p>Idad--wonderful to hear (esp. since I also have a student at Chicago :) )--sounds like your S is having the time of his life, and very happy--the best that we can hope for for our kids!</p>
<p>great to know your son is speaking up in Chicago's classrooms. What a wonderful place in the world it must be. My S seldom spoke in high school classes but reports discussions at Duke are very rewarding for him and that his classmates have many interesting points of view they express very well. Loves and reveres his profs and appreciates access to them.</p>
<p>Wanting to go to class, that's the differences I love hearing so far from the college scene. To quote S: "that's the big difference so far between high school & college so far i actually want to do these classes" That's one IM conversation I kept!</p>
<p>Same thing I'm hearing from my son at Harvard. He was up late one night reading philosophy, finding it challenging and feeling terrific about it. Also, really likes his classes and profs...three out of four are between 12 and 20 students, and all those three have the students calling profs by first or a nick name (well, one is a grad student, I think). And the best thing is that the school did a fabulous job matching him with his roomate/suitemates. They've totally bonded, do stuff together all the time, and have expanded their group to include a bunch of others. Music to my ears!</p>
<p>Nice to hear that intimate classrooms are offered to freshmen at Harvard! great..I am also loving hearing my S's affection for his Hall and for his dorm...As If they are the "most special" hall and in the "most special" freshman dorm at Duke. The freshman dorms enjoy a healthy competition in sports and service activities, but the FOCUS program does add to the sense of community...and to sharing scholary pursuits with people in your building. What I am hearing in his tone of voice is "this feels like home and these people are my friends; people I can trust and learn from..."
this is what makes separation work (as a parent) more possible</p>
<p>Daughter seems to be doing well at Oberlin. The remnants of Katrina blew through town the day we moved her in and since then I have heard from her twice. Her friends' parents seem to know more about her than we do these days, but I think it is a "no news is good news" situation.</p>
<p>I do know she is the only freshman bassist in the Chamber Orchestra, which is playing a difficult program of Berlioz, Stravinsky and Lutoslawski this weekend. They play three different major concerts per semester. Add in bass lessons, music history, music theory, calculus (she is considering a double major in physics) and several hours of woork per week in her vegan dining co-op, and I think she is just a wee bit busy.</p>
<p>sounds like a girl who will extract everything wonderful out of Oberlin..and she is already contributing</p>