<p>My S too, is thrilled with his program, the learning, the faculty, the opportunities - but he hasn’t found his “peeps” yet. He gets along fine with his classmates and roommate, but he’s still looking for that wonderful, rare “melding of the minds” that you get with folks who “get” you and have similar ideas about humor, creativity, thinking outside the box, collaborative effort and working hard. Those two HS buds went to “big name” schools in the big cities on the East Coast (one at halflokum’s daughter’s stomping grounds). He’s not sure he’ll find their replacements at his school in the Midwest. That was the “pre-assumed” known risk when he made his final choice in schools. On the other hand, with his “atypical” freshman socializing, he has time to practice, write music, listen to music, practice, and practice. And given his constrained financial considerations, that was what he decided his priorities would be. He even had the “foresight” (if you want to call it that) last summer to tell girlfriend they would go separate ways when school started. He already knew going in that ponies and rainbows would be of no benefit. After 3 1/2 months of school, so far, so good.</p>
<p>Fall semester classes/exams/recitals for MT/Acting majors were over two days ago. To his mother’s chagrin, he is quite happy to stay over the weekend and requested we not pick him up for two more days so he can meet with faculty - and probably also to have unlimited practice time in empty studios. Our home practice setup cannot hold a candle to the “digs” he’s now used to at school. I wouldn’t be surprised if he asks us to take him back in January as soon as they unlock the dorms. We knew his choice of majors and career goals would ultimately take him far from home, most likely forever. My H and I are very proud of him, and happy he’s flapping his wings. But WE are the ones who are not ready for him to fly so soon. Perhaps we did something right in the years leading up to this, but an unsolicited phone call home now and again would be nice. 
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