<p>OWM: It’s great that you’re willing to volunteer your time to improve things for the gifted kids coming behind your own. </p>
<p>Rodney: My daughters really enjoyed Sedona, although they probably would have gotten bored if we had stayed longer than 2 days. The highlight of our visit was a jeep tour over the red rocks. Feel free to PM me if you’d like more details.</p>
<p>I’m having one of “those weeks” so have jumped on a couple of times and read a few comments here and there. A couple of things caught my attention so wanted to comment before I jump off again…</p>
<p>OWM - this sounds like a wonderful opportunity for you to share your hard-earned knowledge with kids and parents! They’re lucky to have you.</p>
<p>I think my D and her friends have definitely all moved on and are focusing on where they are going and not what might-have-been. D really wants to just go already so she can start settling in. I might have mentioned back in June that her orientation wasn’t quite what she (and I) had hoped for. They put the kids in small groups and they stayed together for the whole 2 days. She kind of, sort of clicked with a couple of girls but that was it. The school attracts a lot of kids from Dallas so a lot of them either knew each other or had friends in common. I think she’ll be okay (and so does she) once she gets there and is able to network amongst the girls on her hall, the honors program, the Catholic campus group, etc. I just really wish she had met more kids so she would feel more comfortable about the first few days but that’s just not the way it worked out.</p>
<p>Emmybet, you definitely have not come across as someone who would be either over the top or obnoxious about school related choices. In fact I owe you and some other posters from the AP discussions a few pages back big thanks for getting me to step back and allow S to make the choices about how he wanted to use his AP credits. That decision on my end avoided a potential battle that would have been completely unnecessary.</p>
<p>I should also emphasize that no one that asked me about the other schools was anything but polite and perhaps curious. There may have been one or two comparisons going on, but mainly I think that Amandakayaks answer about just trying to look at everyones path and being curious about how they ended at the same place makes a lot of sense. That may have been particularly true for us, since S is coming from further away than many of the other students.</p>
<p>Thanks, yes, I do agree that mostly we’re just curious. I just found it a bit of a comeuppance when my kid gave me such a strong message that admissions results are simply NOT INTERESTING ANY MORE. I definitely felt that to continue talking about them might imply that I retained some disappointment in hers, and I definitely want to avoid that. </p>
<p>I’m realizing that as we get closer to August, I’m starting to feel more anxious and sad. Of course I’m excited and happy, too. But D and I are good friends - not for a few weeks there this winter, but we’re back on track - and I’ll miss her. H and I have been talking a lot about how we’ll live day to day. This adjustment will definitely take work.</p>
<p>Great idea, Just posted
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1182001-checklists-first-year-college-students.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1182001-checklists-first-year-college-students.html</a></p>
<p>“have your college kid put the numbers of two taxi companies in their cell phones”</p>
<p>OWM- I think it’s great that your school took you up on the offer to volunteer in that capacity. You’ll be a great resource for the parents of the kids who are becoming greatly overlooked with all the budget cuts. It’s a shame that g/t are so often left to fend for themselves. I often joke that DD1 is the practice child, but it really is true that DD2 will be better off in some cases because of things I’ve learned by making mistakes with DD1, or finding information out after the fact.</p>
<p>I’m intrigued by those of you with sons who have no interest in dorm shopping, or think there’s plenty of time to do it later. DD and I have been shopping since camp last summer (needed the xl sheets, fan, bathroom caddy, etc then). Black Friday, Christmas and birthday all were sources of the occasional item or two. Now that the last two weeks have had lots of sales, we’ve been trying to wrap things up. DH’s response to our shopping trip last night? He thinks we have plenty of time, doesn’t get why we’re in such a rush, and by the way… are we shopping off of some generic shopping list because we seem to be buying “everything!” lol… I guess it’s just a guy thing then.</p>
<p>Contributing to the HIPAA/FERPA discussion, at orientation last month, we were advised that our children could file a FERPA form allowing the school to discuss bills and financial aid with the parents, but stressed that it would not under any circumstance allow for the release of grades. Many parents were struggling with this, as in most cases, the parents are paying most of the bill. They did not have the form with them, but DD did go to financial aid before we left to fill one out. I trust her to share her grades.</p>
<p>The doctor on staff told the parents that he does not fall under the FERPA rules, but he also would not allow students to sign a blanket release allowing him to speak with parents. He explained that it requires informed consent, and that is on a case by case basis. The example he gave was that consent to speak with a parent about strep throat is very different from giving consent to speak to a parent about an STD. He said that if we wanted to speak with him, to use the car ride home to make our wishes clear to our student that if they go to see the doctor for something we would want to know about or follow up, they need to sign a consent form at the time.</p>
<p>Oh, received another mass mailing yesterday. Apparently, if you love your child, you won’t send them off with their <em>old</em> pillows… they need a $129 supportive pillow! LOL…</p>
<p>OWM: Those kids are lucky to have you! It’s great that you are willing to share your knowledge – and wonderful that your school district is open to this. Sadly, though we have a great public school system here, I’m not sure hat our district would welcome a parent volunteer in this capacity.</p>
<p>As for boys and shopping, S2 isn’t much of a shopper, so I know I won’t get him out much to pick out dorm stuff. I did convince him to go with me one night this week. While at BB&B, we ran into a high school friend of his and her mom. They were on their way out as we were on our way in. We stopped to chat, and I commented that they were leaving empty-handed! The mom responded that it was just a “scouting trip” and that they’d be back several times to buy. We, on the other hand, loaded up the cart because I knew it was my one shot to get his input. We made some progress, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be on my own for the rest.</p>
<p>Morning All</p>
<p>A big birthday for our student today-- I remember that day so well.
Kiddo is still away–I will be going for a quick visit (ie dinner) as with 2 practices a day, sleep and meals…no time off.
I am taking a few of the 18 for 18–all wrapped individually 
and in a few weeks when kiddo returns we will do a family birthday.</p>
<p>An FYI, if your student is going to play a sport at a D1 school–and the athletic medical office hasn’t contacted you yet (or if your student will plan to walk on)…while you are gathering that healthcare info and updating shots, HPV, menegitis etc…be sure to secure proof of sickel cell testing (done shortly after birth). In our case, we found the PKU testing and not the sickle cell testing. Its a requirement for all D1 athletes after a lawsuit between a football palyers family and Rice. Impacts all scholar-athletes regardless of ethnic heritage. It slipped off our radar (I figured kiddo was exempt as not of an ethnic group most impacted by sickle cell) so it will be done, as will the last HPV shot before we fly out for school. The kids cannot even pratice with the team without the paperwork in place.</p>
<p>When you all are mentioning doing those HIPPA forms etc at “the school” exactly how is that done? I guess I need to start my to-do list and get some of this done here in the next month–and will go to the Us website to see if the forms are there with the healthcenter forms etc.</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 new student move-in is the University of Georgia on August 9th. (Excludes cadet training at West Point)
Move-in day in 17 days.</p>
<p>Last new student move-in is the University of Southern Oregon on September 22nd<br>
Move-in day in 61 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>Following some recommendations from D’s school we obtained a HepBSab, which is a hepatitis B surface antibody titer. It measures whether you are immune to hepatitis B, which you can get from sex or contaminated needles. I thought it was a waste of money because D, had the vaccine series in infancy (as did all our kids). I am shocked that D is SUSCEPTIBLE. I am so grateful that we checked this, since now we will revaccinate. Now it is important to note that D got her third shot in infancy a couple of months late (no excuse but we were in the middle of a move). So maybe that’s why it didn’t take, and your kids are probably fine. A colleague of mine does know of a Catholic family whose college student daughter acquired hep C for which there is no vaccine. Usually hep c is less easy to transmit with heterosexual intercourse, but this girl was apparently not doing intravenous drugs and had no surgery or transfusions. Both B and C can be lifetime problems. And then there’s HPV, herpes and others. It’s just a giant soup out there. Tell your kids condoms every single time without fail until married and since they are not 100% protective, limit the total number of partners in your life.</p>
<p>Hello All,
Touching base from our very short holiday. I’m on my iPhone which means I’ll have to wait until I’m home to properly read everything. I did want to congratulate you OWM on your new job with the school!! Whoot-whoot!! Volunteer jobs can become paid and I happen to think it’s really an amazing service you’re providing other parents. FWIW, it’s no ones business that it’s an unpaid position ;). </p>
<p>Orientation served it’s purpose I guess. Bluejr would have done much better with one that was a few days tagged onto move-in. He will do fine the, but all of these hurry up forced get to know you things are not his bag. He’s not terribly shy, but he is quiet at the start. I was very proud of him as he left with the attitude that move in would be totally different. His classes are okay. I would probably try to swap one but I’ll leave it to him. </p>
<p>Parents and students were totally separate. Common questions among parents were ‘son or daughter?’, ‘do they know what they want to study?’, and ‘did they consider other schools?’. I didn’t have a problem with it and considered it small talk. You were free to answer ‘no other schools were considered’ and shut the topic down. I missed the support of my cc crew and thought of kinder who was navigating this at the same time. We got the frank discussions as well but I have to say I really, really liked the Dean of Students. He seemed very personable and approachable. From what I understand he is very popular with the students…as it should be. You can’t help them if you don’t understand them. Anyway, first impression and all, I was very impressed. </p>
<p>Hope everyone has a great day. I’m off to spend a day under an umbrella on the shore with my kindle. Ahhhh… the water is warm enough that all the boys and DH played like little kids for hours. I also got to watch little ones build sand castles nearby which as we all know is bitter sweet. Their pudgy little cheeks and sandy tummies, trying to run from a wave. </p>
<p>Cheers!! :)</p>
<p>OWM - great that you can help the gifted kids. All that knowledge shouldn’t go to waste anyway!</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>momjr - did you do the Pink Jeep tour? We did this while we were in Sedona and the kids absolutely loved it. We only stayed overnight in Sedona - but it was a really beautiful place - perhaps a tad bit too touristy.</p>
<p>Did go to BB&B a couple of nights ago. D had fun with the scanner - scanned a couple of small items just for the sake of using the scanner 
We did find the mattress protector, a mattress topper and a set of fans for her room.</p>
<p>D is trying to find books for her courses online. Books have been released only for 2 of the 4 classes she’s going to take and I can’t find the chem book online. It looks like it is a loose leaf binder kind of book?? We figured we would wait till the second week of August and then order the books on Amazon to be shipped right to college.</p>
<p>Stay cool everyone…can’t believe how oppressive it is out there!</p>
<p>So here is a topic we haven’t discussed- Work Study.
My DS has a small award for work study. I think it would cover about 6-8 hours of work per week. I think it would be a good thing: obviously help a bit with expenses, but also help structure his schedule, meet/make connections, gain experience, etc. Some work study jobs are so laid back, a student can actually get some reading time in while “on the clock.” Several family members and friends are opposed to the idea of a freshman doing Work Study. They think it puts too much pressure on a first year student. My DS will be an engineering student with 17 units- I think that is a rigorous schedule, but I also think working less than 10 hours a week would be doable. Afterall, in high school most of our kids were in school 7 hours a day, did homework, volunteered, had clubs and sports and maybe even worked a bit. Thoughts?</p>
<p>Minnymom- my d also has workstudy. I have found with her that the busier she is the more productive she is with her time!</p>
<p>OWM - Congrats! So glad you will be there for those kids. My S was in the GATE program in CA school…unfortunately due to budget cuts, it really didn’t mean anything after 6th grade. Nothing “extra” in high school. </p>
<p>Minnymom - Great that your DS got WS. Not everyone has that opportunity. It not only helps financially by allowing the student to contribute to their cost of college (although I realize many are getting loans also), it gives the student work experience. There are so many types of jobs on campus…some that will allow the student time to study/do homework. Maybe DS could get a job as an aide to an Engineering professor…</p>
<p>I’ve heard that if you don’t do WS your first year, you don’t get offered it the next? Does anyone know if this is true?</p>
<p>Our student is also being offered a work study. With an engineering major and 2 pratices a day–kiddo will be busy. That said, we are hoping it can be done as the pay is decent. If the right slot is found. Kiddo will accept it.</p>
<p>DS is doing work-study too. Has 14-hour schedule plus a fall sport and was approved for 9 hours a week. There are several jobs where he can do some reading while “on the clock” so we are definitely going for it. We’re thinking it will be like “paid study hall” with occasional actual work activities required. </p>
<p>By the way, his school let us know that he must bring a copy of his SS card to the work-study sign-up meeting, so check with your school on what docs are needed.</p>
<p>I’m leaving the work-study decision up to my S. He has enough in savings not to do it first year if he so chooses, but he’ll end up draining his savings. I’m hoping he’ll find something that’s a good fit to his schedule, but it’s completely up to him – I’m not pushing either way. He doesn’t qualify for federal work study, but “work earnings of $2K” is part of his financial aid package, and I’ve been told that it’s easy to find a non-FWS job for anyone who wants one.</p>
<p>D got a small workstudy amount as part of her FA package. We are on the fence about it as we think (for her) establishing herself in this new environment is going to take a lot of her mental resources, along with handling college classes. So IF she goes to the work study office in the first week of school and IF there is a job that she is interested in (library, etc) AND the work shift is okay for her (she could never cope with a 10pm -2am library shift) then she can try it out. I do not believe at D’s school that if you don’t pick up workstudy the first year then they drop in future years. I think the advisability of work study for first year college students is one of those things that really varies by student.</p>
<p>I did work/study and really, it was a good stress reducer, didn’t add to stress but was something to get you away for a few hours. I worked in the student union answering phones (and reading…), in the gameroom (free TRON tokens?) and then I taught swimming at the local school in my sr. yr. Loved the menial jobs. Loved the pocket money.</p>