Spring and Summer 2015 were times of high fiving, bragging, celebrating my oldest child’s acceptance to Pomona. Now, that I’m reviewing the Orientation schedule and move in day and I come up to this one below:
4 pm - 5 pm: Last Check-In with Your Student and Farewells
The sadness is starting to sink in! I’ve been preparing myself mentally for this and pacing myself for this but it’s move in week! Wow, I’m excited for DD’s new journey and adventure but can’t help feel sad that the house will be a little bit more empty. It’s a good problem to have. Now I just have to stop welling up, LOL.
It is hard to see them go off to college, but it is such an exciting time for them. Don’t expect a lot of contact from her initially. They are kept very busy those first days before college.
Pomona does such a great job with Orientation Adventure, and the kids enjoy getting to know the other kids in their group. She will love Pomona!
Smile and laugh a lot - it seems to hold back the tears!
I dropped off my second year D yesterday; and I feel just as sad as I did last year. I re-read the Move-In day list a few days ago. I remember it so clearly, the excitement, trepidation, and the sadness.
Some things to know about move-in day: the sophomore helpers are wonderful! You load your belongings in front of the building and then the helpers move all of the stuff to the dorm room. That didn’t happen this year! And I think Pomona does a wonderful job with the sponsor group. After comparing notes with parents at other schools last year, I know my D had the easiest transition because there was so much support: socially, logistically, emotionally, and in all other ways. And the way they register for classes! I heard nightmare stories about other schools and not being able to get classes, but Pomona really does do a great job in helping them sign up for classes.
Last year my D was excited/nervous to go to Pomona. This year she is joyous. And what more can you ask for your children? Good luck!
At Emory there is a beloved psychology professor, Marshall Duke, who for decades (ending last year) delivered a talk to the parents of the incoming freshmen shortly before they said their final goodbyes to their kids. Here’s a version of it. It’s a bit long, but you can start reading several paragraphs down at "There are many things I tell the parents . . " http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marshall-p-duke/starting-college-a-guide-for-parents_b_5699285.html
We’ll be there on Saturday with our D. This morning I was watching the You Tube of last year’s class walking through the gates and I got all weepy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixTj4lbSmw0 D walked by and rolled her eyes at me. Just now I sneaked an umbrella and windbreaker into one of her boxes. (Shhhh!)
We’ve barely heard from our daughter since we moved her in on Aug 22. Not sure whether that’s a good or bad sign! :-/ Looking at the orientation schedule, I can hardly believe how packed it is, even after their outdoor adventure. Half summer camp, half boot camp. When do these kids sleep?
@Ozzieville – A tip I picked up from the Parents of the Class of 2014 thread: If you haven’t heard from your daughter and you just want to make sure that she’s alive, text her a photo of the family dog or cat. An almost guaranteed response will follow. If you don’t have a pet, well, you’re out of luck!!
@AsleepAtTheWheel that’s a great tip. I’m going to remember that one. I have gotten a few texts from our D and know she is registering this afternoon, so I’ll be interested to find out her class schedule.
