<p>momjr: I don’t know if S2’s school assigns a peer advisor, but there is a young lady who graduated from our high school last year who goes to my son’s university. She has met with him a couple of times to talk to him and give him advice. She comments on classes – hard vs easy, professors, etc. – dorms, dining plans. Last week she met with him to go over his potential schedule. It’s really nice of her to help him! Maybe I just need to let him choose and see if it’s too difficult once he gets started. I just hate to have him get behind if he needs to change classes later.</p>
<p>fogfog: Some of my son’s friends have found out their scores from their colleges. My son’s chemistry teacher sent him a congratulatory letter for his chem score, so we knew that our high school had the scores. He hadn’t been too interested in calling (and paying) to get them until he found out one of them. Then he decided it might be good to have them before he did his scheduling. He considered emailing his other teachers in the hopes that they could tell him his scores, but in the end just decided that he’d call and pay.</p>
<p>AmandaK: I am still sort of stuck in this place where I like to know that they are all home and in bed before I go to bed. So, I tend to stay up a little too late before I give up on waiting them out. Then I am up early while some of them want to sleep in. S1 and S2 have internships/jobs, so they are up and moving early most mornings. Not so for S3. I wake him up because I think 10 AM is late enough. I am the mean mother who makes them conform to some sort of schedule that I consider to be “normal”. I hear about the nicer moms, but can’t seem to be one of them.</p>
<p>As for the money, I hear you! But here’s my gripe…and I just can’t seem to let go of it. S2 is tired of hearing about it. His school’s meal plan for freshmen includes a specific number of breakfasts and dinners which are served in an “all you can eat” dining hall. Lunches are covered by using “dining dollars”. There are many options on campus – Chik Fil A, Panda Express, Subway, etc. It is bugging me that the dining dollars are used for junk food, nighttime snacks, etc. I guess I just prefer the deal that my older son’s college has. We pay for the dining plan and it provides 3 meals a day. He then uses his summer earnings to eat junk and snacks. I know that this is silly and that lots of schools operate this way. And I know that I can tell him to only use the dining dollars for lunch and to use his own money for nighttime pizza runs and other junk food. But I really am not going to monitor that and he knows it. I just want him to use his own earnings for some of this so that learns some sort of responsibility/accountability. Too often it just seems that it’s all just a blank check. Okay, end of my rant.</p>
<p>**I have taken the first and last move-in dates for this countdown from the list on this thread. To try and list all of them would be overkill to say the least.</p>
<p>First move-in is now the University of Georgia on August 9th. (Excludes cadet training at West Point)
Move-in day in 27 days.</p>
<p>Last move-in is University of Southern Oregon on September 22nd<br>
Move-in day in 71 days.**</p>
<p>If there are earlier or later move-in dates, please post them so that I can pick them up and adjust the countdown postings.</p>
<p>kathiep -congrats on the anniversary</p>
<p>OWM - that IB math story sucks. I am sure the CLEP test will go fine but it is a real nuisance to go through that.</p>
<p>AvonMom may need to borrow the frying pan for a little persuasion. Roommate matching was open from June 14th to this past Monday morning at 9 AM. DS finally got around to matching with a roommate at 2:10 AM on Monday morning. Nothing like waiting until the last minute. It appears pre-registration and all dorm room needs are being addressed with the same level of urgency. She really liked the idea of a pink comforter and SpongeBob sheets. Maybe we will throw in a Barney blanket as well. That was his favorite 16 years ago! :D</p>
<p>Haven’t been on the site for over a week - I’ve been fixated on nothing but work and preparing for a horse show at a new higher level (alas, gross rider error caused me to take a little tumble in stadium jumping, which is automatic elimination and means no bright shiny satin ribbon to add to my collection, but I was allowed to continue on and do cross country jumping where I redeemed myself a little and allowed my wonderful horse to shine).</p>
<p>AvonHSDad - Coingratulations on your grandson! Thanks so much for the move-in countdown. I am thrilled to see that University of Southern Oregon has an even later move-in date than Chicago’s! I’m very envious to read about everyone who is getting to start with things like course selection. After all the admission frenzy, this is a long wait for the payoff.</p>
<p>2education - How did you manage to raise a son to appreciate the need for an iron? I still have two months with DD, and would love any tips. You might also want to send him off with one of the flat insulated ironing cloths, that lay on the floor and allow ironing larger areas of fabric than you can on the little dressmaker board.</p>
<p>On drinking - I went to UVa undergrad, at a time when drinking to excess was expected, and our Easter’s Weekend was the spring party for most east coast colleges. One girl on my floor was an alchoholic before the end of first semester, and I don’t think was able to come back for second year. A lot of good posts on the issue - hopefully, all our wonderful kids will keep their eyes on the prize.</p>
<p>Pepper03 and OWM - so sorry about your problems with your mothers. We’re glad we got my MIL here and to Chicago recently - doubt we will be able to again.</p>
<p>I know there has been some discussion about course level, and if this has been throughly covered, my apologies. Do any parents with older children who have faced this issue have opinions on when and whether to take AP credit and start in a higher level (especially in math and science for a non-major)?</p>
<p>keylimepie: My S said he couldn’t find them online anywhere in his account, but he knew that others had found them somewhere because he read it on facebook. When questioned, he couldn’t remember if he had actually asked to have his scores sent to Duke or not. Maybe he didn’t. If not, we’ll have to get them sent. Wish we could have found them free – the money tree will be looking pretty sparse soon.</p>
[quote]
Pepper and Amanda, I know that you get aggravated with your sons, but they sound much more together than most of my daughter’s male friends. When they get on your nerves, just remember how much you’ll miss them in September (or how much calmer things will be in September).
[quote]
</p>
<p>I find this borderline terrifying! :(</p>
<p>I also forgot how to quote properly. Yikes!</p>
<p>fog - son received his AP scores by mail Monday. We live in Boston area. S’s college has had them listed since July 5th. </p>
<p>AK- My S is spending way too much money IMO this summer also. I keep tellilng him to dump the debit card and start spending cash so he has a clue as to what he is spending but it goes in one ear and out the other. </p>
<p>sigh…big sigh actually. So I knew S could use AP credits from 5 of his classes to get out of some college classes. And I didn’t mind using them for history or science, but really didn’t want to use them for math or economics. After trying to get a schedule together and spending many hours on it (because many of the classes he wanted were already closed) he finds out he HAS to use his AP credits and the school will not give him credit for any class he has tested out of. what the heck? why would they care if he takes economics over again? So back to redoing his schedule, again. I just hope that his HS classes were sufficient.</p>
<p>Our district has a rule that you must take the AP test to keep the “AP” designation on your transcript. While there are advantages to this plan, there are also disadvantages. For instance, when you have graduating seniors who no longer need to impress prospective colleges. Who know exactly what AP courses and scores will actually be counted for credit or placement by their college. And who have zero interest in studying for any of the others. Especially when they feel (rightly or wrongly) that the class wasn’t well-taught, so they’d have to do all the studying themselves. </p>
<p>Then you have kids writing a physics essay on a non-physics AP test, or drawing cartoons in the essay section. For example. </p>
<p>The really funny thing is that the two APs that D1 bombed are in subjects that could end up being her college major. How hilarious would that be? :)</p>
<p>I need that frying pan here-- for kiddo2 and maybe DH…
sigh</p>
<p>better than I was a few hours ago though </p>
<p>I forgot --our state has a curfew so teens aren’t supposed to be out – Both of our kids are in way before curfew though.</p>
<p>AK- on the money front I hear you. Kiddo is supposed to have a campus job and yet will have 2 pratcies a day plus ASEM major…a busy busy person without lots of free time. If a good job can be found-- that works with TBD schedule–we will hope kiddo takes advantage of it. The U pays well and some jobs are clearly more desired than others.</p>
<p>On AP credit–the U will push a student up a level and if that level is passed with a B or better, something like that, I think they get credit for the one they skipped. They can however choose to take the course even if htey had a 5. Most of the APs count for nothing at the U -so other than leveling calc or chem, I don’t think kiddo will take much notice of it–Sadly after 10 APs…ah well. Had kiddo choosen another school, there would have been more than a yr out of the way. Highhead…reading the Us AP advanced credit chart is quite a trick isn’t it…</p>
<p>Mamom, I hear ya. at least they should allow a kid to apply it to electives, kwim. </p>
<p>Ohio–I agree the flex dolars can get them into trouble. I think our kiddos plan will include all-u-can-eat with a card swipe for 15 meals a week…and then flex dollars on weekends. Our kiddo is an athlete and eats alot–lean proteins, carbs…etc Very little by way of junk food and no soda…
The junk food/fast food is high calorie/low nutrition and those flex plans will cost a family a fortune if the kids choose to eat at the fast food places instead of the schools main dining halls. Its probably a good place to discuss budgets too. Low nutrition high dollar “flex” food…ugg</p>
<p>We have discussed how much $ will be available for personal expenses etc…I am shocked at some kids spending/allowance. We just don’t have that kind of money
and I wonder
…if I am already paying for a full meal plan, housing, books, school etc…
then the other stuff-- pizza, haircut, etc would seem more minimal.<br>
And there is no reason for often/regular clothes shopping etc.</p>
<p>How are other families figuring the spending cash?</p>
<p>Pepper - so sorry to hear the downward trend your mom is taking. I hope you and your sister manage some down time at the beach. Your description of your son totally cracked me up. Today math, tomorrow _____? I love your quote – “Dealing with a teenager is like trying to nail jello to a tree”. I’m stealing it.</p>
<p>Ohiomom - hang in there. Those of us, including me, who still have parents with us are truly blessed even when it gets real complicated to deal with. My sister is far away so it all falls to my husband and me. </p>
<p>Wow seems like the boy moms are going thru a tough time. Hope your sons straighten up before they leave. </p>
<p>AP grade have not arrived in Florida. DS’s school doesn’t recognize them (or his IB grades) so it doesn’t matter.</p>
<p>Told DH and DS that Monday is college shopping day. I think we’ll head to Target real early and hope to finish by lunch. I’ll let you know.</p>
<p>I’m curious whether or not the other class of 2015 parents are enforcing a curfew on their soon-to-be college students and if so what is the curfew? Do you stay up to make sure your S or D comes home safely? And how do feel about your D sleeping over at boyfriend’s house, or vice versa for S?</p>
<p>Heading out for our first shopping excursion tomorrow. I think this will be more about getting ideas and prices than actually purchasing. Headed to TJ Maxx and Target (among other places), so if anyone has heard of any great deals at either place I’m all ears! No matter what, I’m looking forward to spending the day with s1!!</p>
<p>@ pamom59 - We have not had issues with the curfew so I may not be the best person to offer up an opinion here, but I’ll share our evolving policy. Bluejr and his older brother (20yo) have never asked to stay out too late so no conflict so far. How we approach it is… you live in this house with other people and just as I let DH know when I am going to be home and respect that he worries about me being out late, we do as well. It’s part of being a family. When they go out they ask if there is a time we’d like them home by. Bluejr has just turned 18. Depending on what’s going on we generally ask if he thinks 12:30 is reasonable. He’s been local, no concerts or long drives. If there was something specific then sure later is fine, just let us know. On weeknights, sorry…DH get’s up at 5am and I (like Amanda) am a light sleeper. We like the kids to be respectful on work nights and be in and settled by midnight (earlier is preferable really). Bluejr is out of the house by 7am for work so he keeps a decent schedule (relatively). We also ask that friends be out of the house by midnight unless they are staying over. </p>
<p>Overnights with girlfriends have only been allowed when a longtime girlfriend lived an hour away. They were not in the same room and it was not often. This will not change if Bluejr brings girlfriends home from school. I also expect that he will continue to sleep in another room when staying at a girlfriends home out of respect for her family. Having said this, IMO there is a big difference between a 18-20yo and a 22yo college graduate who is in a committed relationship and living together in their own place. At that point I would probably have different feelings if they came to visit and requested the same room. I totally get that this doesn’t phase some parents one bit and I’m fine with that. I don’t think there’s one ‘right’ answer. This is just what I’m comfortable with and how I anticipate we will handle it. Like anything, never say never.</p>
<p>Another parent of a boy here frustrated at the level of procrastination going on. Registration is next week and as far as I know there has been no attempt to look at schedules or classes. I had an interesting conversation with S this week where he told me that he realized that no one was going to be around at school to remind him of the things that had to be done and wondering how bad it would get as he had to remember to take care of things on his own. I took that opportunity to reiterate that I was not checking through all of his college information over the summer to make sure that he was doing everything that was now his responsibility. He responded that this had dawned on him a few days ago when he realized that I had not reminded him to mail an overdue letter back to the school. But it still took two more days for him to take it to the post office.</p>
<p>I am trying to work with natural consequences. I know its the right thing, but its hard for me to figure out how far to go. I explained that if he waits to figure out his classes during the registration period at orientation, he will find that a lot of the best sessions will be taken at the beginning by students who came in knowing what they want. So a crummy schedule with possible 8 am classes or not getting all the classes you want would be the natural consequence for not planning ahead. Is that too harsh a result? So far, I have not brought it up again but its been hard. I guess I am looking for a natural consequence that results in him working on the schedule before the end of the week. But thats not the point, is it?</p>
<p>Im also worried about the level of classes. We are still waiting on AP scores, so I dont know yet whether he will get the scores needed to skip classes. The only ones that he could skip first semester would be Computer Science and Calculus and our feeling had been that this wouldnt be a good idea for someone with a computer science related major. The schools general philosophy seems to be to start with the harder class if you get the AP scores. They added that you can always drop down after the first week or so if it was too hard. Somehow, that does not seem like the right way to start your college career.</p>
<p>Our son doesn’t have a curfew but he’s never been out later then 1 am and that was for a nearby grad party. He didn’t drive. He’ll be out late for Harry Potter this week! </p>
<p>Ds has a gf who lives about 45 min away. While I didn’t sleep well at first, ds-gf (since something like march?) is a nice, respectful girl (ok, I choose to overlook the belly-ring and the small tattoo) and I agreed to “sleep overs” - separate rooms of course, so that ds can see her without me worrying about him driving so late at night. He usually drives to her and stays there one night and then either comes home or brings her back here for a day/night - and then drives her back. It is a horrible precedent I know but they have been entirely respectful of the rules here and I feel like I can trust them to not push it. I have been very blunt about what is ok in my house. But I would be a liar if I didn’t have a little inner jump of joy when he discussed whether he should break up with her before he leaves. </p>
<p>I have a neighbor who can’t get her two mid-20 sons to move out - and why should they, she made it comfortable enough to allow their girlfriends to move-in and the boys get their meals and laundry done by either mom or gf. Now that is where I will just draw the line! OK, no more posting for me today, I have reached my cc-obsession limit!</p>
<p>Amanda, your posts are always entertaining, so please continue your cc obsession!</p>
<p>Kohl’s has a sale that starts tomorrow. Bedding, towels, pillows and mattress toppers are 50-60% off (plus an additional 15-30% off via a scratch off coupon). My D and I plan to check it out tomorrow. </p>
<p>D’s BF lives 5 minutes away, so we haven’t had to deal with sleepover issues. Like Amanda, we’re hoping for a break-up before she leaves for college. He’ll be at home going to the local CC (one of the unambitious boys I mentioned).</p>
</p>