<p>I just joined CC today, but I've been reading CC posts for some time now, and the information I've read has always been very helpful. </p>
<p>I know that it is normal for the kids to experience some trepidation before leaving home freshman year, but since yesterday when UD announced the new move-in day as tomorrow, my son has been experiencing extreme anxiety, almost like a mini break down. I'm starting to become concerned.</p>
<p>Are there any parents out there who are, or have. experienced something similar to this with your child? I believe UD offers counseling sessions, if it comes to that, but are you aware of any other resources UD has to offer? Are the Resident Assistants, or any other persons or groups, helpful in this type of situation?</p>
<p>My son is our oldest and first to leave the nest, so my husband and I are pretty green. I'd appreciate any insight/advice that anyone might have to offer.</p>
<p>I can empathize with you. My son also started to appear anxious when the move in date was set. He seems to be approaching this move with more dread than excitement…but that is somewhat in keeping with his character…doesn’t really like change too much and has had to say goodbye to a wonderful senior year and lots of great friends. I guess it’s a tougher transition for some than others but all of my visits to the campus left me with the feeling that it was a happy, caring environment and, hopefully, our children will be reminded of this when they finally arrive. Good luck to you.</p>
<p>My S was also anxious last year, and pretty unhappy his first week or so at UD. He doesn’t like change either, and particularly missed having his big group of HS friends around. After a little while, though, all that changed - he had a fantastic year, made a ton of friends, and is champing at the bit to get back tomorrow. </p>
<p>My best advice is to listen, make sympathetic noises, but otherwise be brisk and cheerful about the move and during the early days at UD. Of course as time goes on if you sense deep unhappiness that’s another matter, but most kids are pretty resilient if we allow them to be. Good luck!</p>
<p>Both my prior kids became very (uncharacteristically) emotional and even apprehensive as the date for leaving for college approached. Unlike when I was at that stage and it was a lark, I think these days they are saddled with so many concerns which started in HS. How will I do, will I get into grad/prof school, will I get a job, will I have lots of loans etc etc. And the immediacy of social networks (and for that matter parents like us on CC) only exaccerbates it all.</p>
<p>This D has been very apprehensive about meeting people (she hasn’t yet admitted to or maybe even realized the concerns about academics. Several of her friends already at school for just a few days have written to tell her they are already overwhelmed.</p>
<p>This go-come back, start stop caused by Irene has only made them all even more at sixes and sevens. Like a false start in a track meet.</p>
<p>But the last two, once they got there, and became immersed, took off and did fine. Your son probably will too. And if NSO was anything to gauge by, UDel has a handle on all the kids’ anxieties.</p>
<p>My daughter had a terrible transition last year and I second booklady’s advice. Be sympathetic and loving, but don’t encourage the kids to wallow – because if you do they will. Keep reminding them that you’re available to hear all about their exciting new experiences, but that you know they can handle everything. Also, that everyone is in the same boat!</p>
<p>May I offer a teensy suggestion? Last year the biggest source of anxiety for my D was that she got lost every day for the first week and was panicked that she’d be late for class or wander aimlessly through Delaware, never to be heard from again! Seriously, though, I wish we had plotted out the locations of her classes in relation to the dorm and to each other because it would have saved a lot of howling by a very regal drama queen.</p>
<p>My D was also nervous about leaving home and going to school but was very excited about the new experience too. We moved her in Thurs. for Hillel Freshman Fest and picked her up Fri. because of the hurricane warnings. A whole weekend she complained that we made her come home and she couldn’t wait to go back. Everyone she met was so nice. We dropped her off last night and we both cried a little but she sent me a text later about how girls she met only for a short time on Thurs/Fri came back to the dorm to get her when she told them she was here. Hopefully, everyone’s children will have the same great start as my D had.</p>
<p>My D downloaded some sort of GPS app onto her blackberry. She inputs where she wants to go and it picks up her location and shows her the way. She has absolutely no sense of direction so hopefully this will help.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone for your words of support and helpful advice. Move-in yesterday went pretty smoothly, he was a little nervous, but ok for the most part. Zoosermom - I took your advice, and we plotted out his classroom locations on the campus map, it did seem to alleviate some of his anxieties.</p>
<p>Good luck to everyone else with incoming freshman, hopefully we’ll be laughing about it in a couple of weeks!</p>