I didn’t run, bike or swim yesterday but I sure got a workout. I made 14 trips up the stairs to my youngest daughter’s fourth floor dorm room lugging her computer, tv, rug, clothes, etc. At least she didn’t want to prop up her dorm bed with four cinder blocks like her older sister who lived on the 5th floor. If I had waited in line for the one elevator I’d still be there.
No kidding, unless you are a triathlete or decathlete, you should discourage your kids from going to college. Otherwise, you might not survive the move-in.
BTY, unless you or your kid is computer set-up savvy, forget about getting your kid tied into the college ethernet network. My daughter told me last night that she was the only person on her dorm floor (including the RA) who was connected to the Internet. That process took me about 1 1/2 hours.
For several years now I have regularly done tough workouts, and I’m in very fine shape, but the annual take-the-kids-back-to-school routine never gets easier. From '97-'02 my daughter was at boarding school; from '00-'02 my son joined her. From '02 to the present she is at university; last year my son also started university. Those are just way too many steps to climb while laden with their junk, and too many ponderous walks from distant parking lots carrying that junk. I feel your pain, MPB1950!
What is interesting to me is how our kids take it for granted that we are as fit (or fitter) than they are. My parents never helped me lug up my transistor radio when I went to college.
I whole-heartedly have to agree with your statement. As I stated in another thread, I deposited my oldest at college a month and a a half ago (football camp started beginning of July). No dorms, so we got him settled in an apartment next to campus. Thank Goodness his apartment was only one story up and he’s a strong young man. After four days of shopping, lugging up stairs, putting away, repeat, I was exhausted. Also, I’m thankfull that I’m a little more comfortable with computers and the internet than the average bear, because that did take some knowledge and savy to get his set up with his new server and connected to his school account.
It was fun and I’m looking forward to repeating the process next year, unless son #2 goes to the same school and then he’ll share his brother’s apartment.
Moving in…
I move in by myself tomorrow.
Also, starting at 8am my fraternity will be moving in freshmen…argghh. talk about a long day.
(sarcasm) on behalf of all the college freshman, I apologize. hmpf.
I move in on Sept 2!
miketris -
In our case, there were several reasons. First, we live in rural Ontario, and at the time there were very few viable options for a convenient English-speaking secondary school. Second, at the time (and right up until now, sadly…) Ontario was going through some fairly severe changes in curriculum, and quite honestly we were very afraid of how these changes would affect the quality of education. Third, both kids were very keen to do this, and the financial aid offered by an outstanding school was extremely generous. Fourth, I had taught at several private schools and knew the landscape of the situation.
Downsides? Well, that’s mostly in hindsight. My wife and I have some regrets that we missed watching the kids go through their adolescent years — although many parents would say this is a blessing in disguise!! For our daughter, it worked very well, as she began there in grade 8 and loved all five years; she would not trade those years for anything. Our son also began there in grade 8 and loved it, but didn’t work hard enough and lost the scholarship option. This is something he regrets, as he too would’ve liked to continue there.
It’s a risk, really. For some kids (and their parents) it is a disaster, but if the kids are enthusiastic and the match between kid and school fits well, then it can be a wonderful experience. We missed the kids, of course, but we knew they were happy, well looked-after, and receiving a superior education. Moreover, they had access to friends every hour of every day, which is more than they had here out in the middle of nowhere.
The above is really very cursory, just scratching the surface. There are many more aspects to this than I’ve mentioned, and I could go on and on for quite some time. Mostly, though, we have no regrets and would do it again under the same circumstances.
Nice, where to? and what year?
1st year at U Maine at Orono. I’m a kinesiology major with a concentration in health/fitness.
roger that!
Easy solution…send your kids to a Service Academy. Nothing to move in because they aren’t allowed to have anything, and what they can have is all issued to them. Additionally, the kids will get PTd into shape so they wouldn’t need you to help them anyway. I never saw one parent moving anything into a room at Bancroft Hall.
I am with Slowguy on that, my parents didn’t have to move anything when I went to school.
1st year at U Maine at Orono. I’m a kinesiology major with a concentration in health/fitness.
whoo. maine. thats far. haha. they have triathlons up in the great white north? :o)
Roger that…
I waved at my kid as she got off the bus at kamp usafa… to the delight of the upperclass cadre. Today, I’m proud to write she’s kicked more @$$ than I ever would, gone around the world more than I ever will, and hasn’t pinned on O-3 yet!
- kd
Great post! I agree and submit the opposite is also true. I am sure my high school senior hates having an Ironman for a father. Yesterday, we toured IU and I left her in the dust! It was hot and very humid. We made up our own little walking tour of campus, about 10 buildings in 3 hours. By the end, her ass was dragging.
I didn’t workout yesterday either.
ST
I miss college every day.
This brings back memories of hauling stuff up into the dorm on one of the THE hottest days ever. But the excitement of it all!
I chuckled at the idea of an ethernet connection. !!! I still remember the crap IBM XT that ONE guy had in my frat…
I chuckled at the idea of an ethernet connection. !!! I still remember the crap IBM XT that ONE guy had in my frat…
Ain’t that the truth…I had an IBM Selectric, self correcting typewriter in college and it was cutting edge technology then. I typed papers for guys who couldn’t type, in exchange for dinner out or at their parent’s house if they lived nearby.
Nowadays, a laptop is mandatory, with wireless. My, the times are a’changin’.
You are old school!
And Proud of it! 
re: maine - we have a couple. Lots of good spring and summer road races, a couple tris.