<p>My son came into my bedroom late last night and said "mom, I'm ready to go to college - I'm so bored!"</p>
<p>He really seems to be "outgrowing" his life around here. I didn't expect to really see the transformation. Rather, I expected the college departure to feel a little forced. We have no problems at home....no fights....no disagreements...we get along better than ever....but it's just starting to feel like it's "time" (sigh). </p>
<p>I'm wondering if any others have kids who seem to be quite eager to go.</p>
<p>As a senior waiting to go to college too, I'm ready to go. The things that made my life before just don't seem to matter in the same ways. It feels bittersweet, but I am outgrowing home, outgrowing friends, outgrowing parental care...</p>
<p>But I have to. I have to start saying goodbye. I have to mentally leave. In five months (January, February, March, April, May--June & July I work at a residental camp-- college begins in August) I'm not going to be here anymore. Sometimes those months seem horrendously long, sometimes incredibly short.</p>
<p>I keep looking at viewbook pictures, website pictures, googling my college. My mind and heart are making the transition to college, and I'm ready to be there. I keep saying, "At college I can," "At college I'll have to," "At college I'll be..."</p>
<p>I think that when seniors complete their apps, they have to show that kind of maturity. They have to show the college what they will be like there. And in that sense, they have to be ready to pack.</p>
<p>Momsdream, your son has a healthy outlook which means he'll have a good and easy transition. I love both how happy my son is to come home and how happy he is to go back to school. Then there's my 13 year old who is bored and ready to go....</p>
<p>My son has been ready to be on his own for a few months now, I think, while at the same time he is really enjoying a few aspects of his senior year. His high school does several really big things for seniors, like the senior play, that no one else can do ( except a few musicians. one of which he was last year!), and he seems to finally be feeling a major part of his high school. But he's also very much an adult now, so I guess we have the best of both worlds this year.</p>
<p>And yes, his apps are now done, too, so we're all just waiting to find out how we'll have to work out the money and logistics. He's very calm and accepting about everything even though he's applied to an incredible range of schools, from MIT and Chicago (deferred for now) down to an excellent but smaller UNC school. He's just ready to go--it almost doesn't seem to matter where.</p>
<p>Man, during winter break I couldn't wait to go back. I missed everybody and there's nothing for me at home. I certainly did not miss my mom's nagging but it's sad she's at home all by herself when she's not working.</p>
<p>Usna, you would probably be surprised to know that your mother is a whole, real person with her own life when you're not there. Maybe she's really enjoying the privacy. Don't worry. She'll be fine. Or if you're worried about her, e-mail her and see whether you can get to know her as a person rather than as a someone who "nags" you. She might surprise you.</p>
<p>As a high school senior who's just about finished with all his apps and has been accepted to the only two schools he's really considering, I'm definitely quite ready to leave the nest. I've been ready for a scenery change for a while, but my acceptances have really made me sit up and realize that I'M GOING TO COLLEGE!</p>
<p>One interesting thing that I've noticed in my conversations with other seniors is that many of them (especially the girls) actually feel rather guilty about wanting to leave home. They feel as if they're abandoning their parents in some way; they feel that all they're showing for their parents' 18 years of commitment is a chance email every few days from hundreds of miles away. I find that particularly interesting, considering ctymomteacher's comments about parents' actually being human beings! I also know that I would be ecstatic to see my little one make his way in the world.</p>
<p>I am also surprised by the number of people who simply are not ready to move on to college. A large number of my peers at school are quite immature still and cannot run their own lives very effectively. It's quite a scary proposition. I wonder if it's always been this way with our young people or if this is a result of today's culture.</p>
<p>y2k, it isn't that we don't love you all desperately. I'd love to keep mine here in a glass box and watch him be the lovely perosn he is right now forever, but I also want to let him go and, from as far away as necessary, see him transform into whatever he's meant to be. I know it's going to be wonderful and exciting for all of us. If he didn't want to go, we would have failed terribly.</p>
<p>Your friends should realize that their parents are probably feeling pretty ambivalent about it but ultimately want what they want for themselves--their independence and development into happy and successful adults!</p>
<p>Greensboro--excellent for him because he can still at least minor in cogsci and their music dept is super. His percussion teacher at Brevard College took her Ph.D. there. He's also applied to UNC-CH and will probably be accepted there as well. Greensboro has long ago accepted him and will probably offer him merit aid.</p>
<p>Most of mine were hoofing and pawing to go. And I was just as glad. It was due time. But strangely enough, my graduate this past year regressed to the point that he wanted to be back home instead of creating a new life complete with job. And what a painful regression that was for us! We finally had to kick him out. And he was one who left for college without a look backwards.</p>
<p>Jamimom; I recall yur story concerning this in a early Fall. So how did it go? Was it painful? How is it going for him now? Did he find a job in his field?
Momsdream; You better believe it. Son very anxious to move on. So many kids go to college early nowadays. They are ready.</p>
<p>Thanks, Backhandgrip, for remembering. Yes, it is still very painful. Never thought we would do this with one of ours. Saw him at Thanksgiving at my brothers, and he was rude, inconsiderate,dirty, unshaven, did not p</p>
<p>Gee, I have a son in Ohio- who is kind of absentee, he travels for his job throughout the state, - maybe they are roommates! Congrats on the wedding too! Enjoy enjoy!
About the son- just keep talking to him and let him talk to you. You never know with drugs, etc., so he knows you care. Do you think is is just insecure? Not much talk about this but insecurity can be very suffocating.</p>
<p>I went all out twice for oldest son concerning goods for his apartments. I bought him pots and pans, new blankets, coffee pots, even a bed. Both times he moved taking little. And now I wonder if he ever washed those blankets.So it's over now and furnishings are all his responsibility. Let him learn how expensive everything is. So maybe he will keep this new job, which he likes very much and is well suited for, and will not be able to save and run off to South America backpacking again! (because it's so cheap to do)</p>
<p>That is a distinct possibility!! I believe his roommate travels for his job. Don't have any other info, but he did say I could likely stay in that room when I visit. ( I think I am going to pass on that offer and spring for a hotel room). Wouldn't that be a hoot? Will get more info when I visit, if he feels like talking. Don't think it's drugs for a*number of reasons. Insecurity is a distinct possibility. Want him to go into therapy, but he's ready to spit in my face, if I even say the word. My H is not as upset as I am--he's thrilled he is self supporting and looks at the cup half full, but they say a mother is as happy as her unhappiest child, and right now I have a couple of them that are pretty down. But with all of these people in the family, I guess I should be glad that the problems are not more serious. It could be worse, it has been worse.</p>
<p>What kind of wedding? Tradition or untraditional? Both my sisters did very elaborate weddings and receptions for their girls, which the bride and groom parents and new couple paid for.The local thing in our neighborshood is tent receptions. I've seen a number of them now .It was kind of embarassing my daughter did a Britney Spears and ran off to Las Vegas and got married.</p>
<p>My son has been ready to leave for at least a year. In fact we almost considered graduating him last year (He homeschools.) as we knew he could handle college. However, his applications are much stronger this year because of the activities he takes part in and such, so waiting was for the best. He is a great kid, and I love the conversations we have and the time we spend together. But I know he is more than ready to handle life away from home and will do great in college. I will NOT be happy to see him go, however. I will miss his music, as well as his words. And he is my last--I already told him I would probably cry when we left him at college next fall, and that he would just have to put up with it!</p>
<p>D's already trying to figure out what to take with her; she said that she's moving. It didn't help that when S was home from CA, he mentioned that "home" is out there. He also went through all his stuff in his room and took a suitcaseful back with him. Unlike yours, Jamimon, he won't be coming back. Guess we'll be a bi-coastal family with kids on one coast and parents on the other. And these were the kids who, when much younger, thought they would live in our house forever!</p>
<p>And speaking of weddings, he offhandedly mentioned a HS friend who was thinking of marrying his GF in Las Vegas "for the fun of it." I just hope he doesn't think of doing that when his time comes! (The son of one of my cousins got married in one of those drive-through chapels--sitting in the car--was his mother upset.)</p>