@@ college move in - how’d it go?

[formerlyak]

I know a lot of us moved kids in to college this week and last. How’d everyone do?

I got back yesterday afternoon from Berkeley move in. We drove up Monday. DS had a playlist of 80s and 90s music that we both know so we sang on the 6 hour drive up. We stopped at In n Out for lunch at the half way point and it was filled with other families moving their freshman up to Berkeley, which was really fun.

The morning of move in, my ex was late and by the time he got there, DS and I had everything in the room and were unpacking. The RAs commented on how efficient we were, but I was determined to get it all in his room in one trip. It took about an hour to unload and unpack.

Then we went to campus and walked around until our parking expired. I took him to lunch and Target. Target was filled with families helping their kids get stuff for the dorms.

Then I dropped him back off and said goodbye. I didn’t cry until I pulled away.

But I will say Berkeley did an amazing job. They had a ton of city employees all over directing traffic. They gave an appointment for a 20 minute loading zone and then you got a 2 hour permit for a nearby lot. The RAs were so welcoming and helpful. The mascot was running around greeting people. The band was playing music. The RAs had an ice cream social planned for the night of move in to welcome kids and give them a chance to meet each other. I felt really good about leaving him there.

And, the local news was doing a story about move in and DS ended up being interviewed in the segment! After the interview, I texted my local bff and she set her DVR to record it. He was so cute on TV!!!

I hope everyone has a smooth move in!

[definitelyO]

DS (our only) moved into a local University one hour from our house. He packed his stuff that morning - oy. and then took some alone time in his room - he was emotional. We got on campus and went out to lunch - it was good but just full of nervous energy.

actual move in was EASY. easy curbside parking - great directions - no line for keys or carts. Got him moved in and mostly set up in an hour. I made his bed but left his clothes and personal stuff for him to set up. We all cried hugging good bye and then I sobbed when I got in the car. DH broke down when we got back home. So - it was HARD emotionally.

BUT - DS is having a great time - doing all the things and we've talked twice in the last week - but it seems like he's been gone so much longer we definitely miss him and I'm so excited for him. I think we'll see him in 2 weekends.

[InBetweenDays]

I'll update next week! We leave Tuesday to take DD to school. Most of her friends and her boyfriend have already left so she's very ready to go.

[lolalolalola]

Ours isn’t until the Sept long weekend. We have a 16 hour drive ahead of us, needing to overnight en route both there and back. Hopefully things go smoothly!

[tripleshot]

I've been away from GBCN for a while but I'm back. We moved our only child into college a week ago. He's only 45 minutes away but it feels like across the country. He moved in early with his team so it was low key and not busy at all. We had all day 9-4 to do it and show up whenever we wanted. His room is 15x9 for 2 boys and is so tiny, but we fit it all in and made it work. I could tell he was so nervous even though he put on a brave face. He had a team dinner at 5 and didn't want us to leave when we were done at 2:30, so we took him out to eat and hung out in the dorm for a while. I cried hysterically on the way home and have cried at the drop of a hat everyday except for today. He has texted me almost every day and he's been busy with practice, but I know he's still uneasy. His roommate (HS BFF) moved in today so I'm curious how that went.

[So_Fetch]

I live near a college campus and the Target near us was packed with college kids and parents loading up their baskets. They had a coupon for 20% off with proof of being a student. It was fun to see the families negotiating and deciding on certain things. We saw one dad and son duo trying to determine if the color of the storage bins they were buying matched some other something on their phone. lol

[rooster222]

My dd is year 2 and moved into the sorority house. This was so much easier than freshmen year!! We were moved in and unpacked in less than 2 hours. We re-used our Ikea bags and there were many things she did not need this year since she's living in the house.

[katb]

One DD, out of state about 9 hours away, went really well. What a differene between Freshman and Sophomore year - no panic, less stuff, less stress. My other DD is staying home and communitng to CC this year -the big university (in state) wasn't the fit for her. I feel more confident in both of their abilities (and mine) to allow them to grow, mature and be more independent. I am amazed every few months how much they "grow up" at college - whether at home or far away.

[cjcouple]

Goodness that was hard.

He definitely got upset when it was time to separate but he did it. It literally feels like yesterday that he was running after me as I left his classroom in 1st grade and he chased me down the hall.

I'm going to miss him so much.

[formerlyak]

Aug 24, 2024 17:15:36 GMT -5 cjcouple said:

Goodness that was hard.

He definitely got upset when it was time to separate but he did it. It literally feels like yesterday that he was running after me as I left his classroom in 1st grade and he chased me down the hall.

I'm going to miss him so much.

You will hopefully feel better after the first phone call.

Mine called this morning! He sounds so happy. He’s making friends and he went to a fraternity party and said the kids on his floor are great. He reconnected with someone he knows from Boys State. Today they go to SF and learn how to use BART. He told me he’s started a spreadsheet to track his expenses so he knows what he’s spending each month. 🤣 He said he’d call again next weekend but will send me a first day of school selfie.

[karinothing]

Guys these posts made me sob! Good luck to everyone.

[SusanBAnthony]

Aug 22, 2024 15:41:54 GMT -5 So_Fetch said:

I live near a college campus and the Target near us was packed with college kids and parents loading up their baskets. They had a coupon for 20% off with proof of being a student. It was fun to see the families negotiating and deciding on certain things. We saw one dad and son duo trying to determine if the color of the storage bins they were buying matched some other something on their phone. lol

Same. I went in the morning yesterday before the big afternoon rush. I will not be going back until end of labor day weekend! It is insanity for the next week.

[Gato]

Aug 24, 2024 18:07:57 GMT -5 formerlyak said:

Aug 24, 2024 17:15:36 GMT -5 cjcouple said:

Goodness that was hard.

He definitely got upset when it was time to separate but he did it. It literally feels like yesterday that he was running after me as I left his classroom in 1st grade and he chased me down the hall.

I'm going to miss him so much.

You will hopefully feel better after the first phone call.

Mine called this morning! He sounds so happy. He’s making friends and he went to a fraternity party and said the kids on his floor are great. He reconnected with someone he knows from Boys State. Today they go to SF and learn how to use BART. He told me he’s started a spreadsheet to track his expenses so he knows what he’s spending each month. 🤣 He said he’d call again next weekend but will send me a first day of school selfie.

Your kid sounds great! I don’t have a drop off story but wanted to say I loved Berkeley so much! I only worked there while my XH went to grad school, but my life kind of revolved around it for five years and I just thought it was an amazing place. He is going to learn so much, both in and out of class!

[cjcouple]

Aug 24, 2024 18:07:57 GMT -5 formerlyak said:

Aug 24, 2024 17:15:36 GMT -5 cjcouple said:

Goodness that was hard.

He definitely got upset when it was time to separate but he did it. It literally feels like yesterday that he was running after me as I left his classroom in 1st grade and he chased me down the hall.

I'm going to miss him so much.

You will hopefully feel better after the first phone call.

Mine called this morning! He sounds so happy. He’s making friends and he went to a fraternity party and said the kids on his floor are great. He reconnected with someone he knows from Boys State. Today they go to SF and learn how to use BART. He told me he’s started a spreadsheet to track his expenses so he knows what he’s spending each month. 🤣 He said he’d call again next weekend but will send me a first day of school selfie.

thanks. He's been texting a bit so that's good. I just hope he has a great experience. Even though my heart was breaking, I was saying how exciting it is and talking it up. lol

I didn't shed a tear until he was out of my sight. I didn't want him more upset.

[mcppalmbeach]

Oh this is all making me cry! My second broken will go without a backward glance. But my first super sensitive boy is going to cry and it will break me.

[georgeglass]

Moved the twins in for sophomore year. I am exhausted. It both gets easier and doesn't.

My daughter is living in an off-campus absurd place - 4 bed, 4.5 bath townhouse with 3 other girls. She is in heaven. My son at a different school is in an old-school 1960s dorm that is tiny. He's in a suite, two small 2-person bedrooms with a Jack and Jill bath between. Hoping they have good years.

[formerlyak]

Gato, thank you! Honestly, I’m a Bruin so I like teasing him about going to the other top public university in CA. But I will say, the way Cal does orientation - a few online modules about how to make your schedule and register and then first years move in a week early and do all in-person stuff as a huge group - is fantastic. They’ve gone on “field trips” around the area, learned to use public transportation, explored campus, had dinner in Berkeley restaurants, hiked the foothills, done a silent disco, karaoke (but they call it Bearaoke). Your orientation group is your floor so you bond with your floor. It’s been great - for the kids obviously, but also for parents who know their kid will be raring to go when classes start Wednesday. I’ve been very impressed.

[InBetweenDays]

So I hadn't been feeling really sad or emotional yet. I thought maybe I won't! Maybe I'm excited enough for her that I'll be ok. Well last night DD and I sat in her bed and talked and cried. And now I find myself tearing up every 10 minutes or so. We leave tomorrow to drive her - move in is Wednesday.

[eddy]

Aug 24, 2024 19:01:59 GMT -5 karinothing said:

Guys these posts made me sob! Good luck to everyone.

I just had to shut my office door because I was getting teary. I have a high school junior so this is all weighing on my mind lately. 

Hugs to all of you.

[mel]

DS1 lived at home while he was in college, but DS2 (currently a sophomore) is most likely going out of state for college. He is my super sensitive soul and has a personality just like my own. This post has hit me hard in my feelings.

Hugs to you all!

[Bad Dingo]

Hugs to everyone! DD starts her senior (HS) year tomorrow and I'm randomly getting teary about it. I can't imagine what it'll be like to not see her every day next year.

[leahcar]

We moved my DD into her dorm on the 18th.

The lead up was WAY worse for me than her actually being gone. I really had a very hard time the first half of this month.

She has called and asked some…surprising questions. I think she “adults” pretty well for her age, but clearly doesn’t know everything. She was also shocked at how much stuff cost at the grocery store. 😂

She met up with some girls she met at orientation the morning after move-in and they’re all thick as thieves already. Seeing her thrive makes everything so much easier! She has a job interview in her college town Wednesday.

She’s the first to leave so there are 3 more at home still. She has her car on campus and is only two hours away. She’s actually coming home for the long weekend Friday.