<p>^^emilybee, I hear you about how dangerous it is to talk about the down side about <em>any</em> college in the presence of others lest panic ensue. And it’s so hard to keep the most disturbing anecdotes to oneself. </p>
<p>However, your story reminded me of a conversation w/S2’s dermatologist (nice mom type) as he was checking out after an appt last fall – deep in college app and listmaking season. She was relating an experience from her own college soph’s first year away at school. She was really jolly about it and told it to show how great college is (!!) but the story involved a college tradition of all students running naked in the coldest of winter (imagine my sun-loving modest S2’s eyes as they slowly got wider and wider in alarm) which all the kids <em>had</em> to do, but if they didn’t, they were thrown or jumped into the college lake (I don’t recall which) fully clothed only to freeze!! Good fun! And then she off-handedly mentioned that due to the wicked algae or bacteria in the small lake (S2’s eyes wider still) her S got a bad eye infection, yadda yadda, and ended up in the hospital, trouble taking finals, etc. But wow, what a great college. She told S2 he really HAD to apply.</p>
<p>So even the “good” stories don’t always have the intended effect and can send some for whom such hi-jinx are not a perfect fit running from the room.</p>
<p>^^^ I think Tufts also does a naked run. I was surprised my modest niece participated in this at Tufts (not judging, just knowing her it was unlikely). She said that her profs said better to participate than be one of the “watchers” as that was just creepy.</p>
<p>^^emilybee–too funny. I think it was a small(ish)? school in Maine now that you remind me. OY!!! Hope I made clear above that this was not a negative story–just one that informed my S2 to pay attention to school traditions–for fit! LOL.</p>
<p>But I do love hearing about fun, kooky, creative or wild school traditions. Not sure I’d be so happy to have naked running kids out these days of the internet, cell phone cameras and facebook postings. !!!</p>
<p>I believe my college had a naked floor in one dorm, which was a student-run coop (living and dining). They had a naked brunch too on weekends. Now, if you knew some of the people who lived in that dorm…you would want them clothed as much as possible!</p>
<p>I went to college during “streaking” phase; however, I would recommend face paint or a mask should such ‘fun’ be carried out today due to aforementioned cameras and Facebook posting mentioned by mad bean above. Also make sure ability to tag is turned off.</p>
<p>I know too many people like very upset parent. It’s easy to get sucked in. But I continue to be grateful that D’s school does not rank (they elect their commencement speaker). There was some attempt to figure out who had the highest gpa at the of the year, but I think they all lost interest quickly since they were all into college and it didn’t matter.</p>
<p>I still remember with horror when, back in the dark ages, I was named first in my class at an all-school awards ceremony. They gave me a copy of Gail Sheehy’s Passages, which I have never read but can’t quite manage to get rid of either. I had no idea I was even in the running for this honor, took high school classes I loved (which meant several languages and only enough math and science to graduate), and was far more invested in getting the Latin prize (Can’t even remember whether I got that one!). Well, afterwards, several of my friends refused to speak to me because I had had the nerve to upset the carefully nurtured plan of one girl to be first. She had been first (who knew?) every term since 7th grade, took all the hardest classes, etc., etc. I’m pretty sure I had also been accepted to and was planning to attend a college that turned her down, even though she went to a great school. The remaining weeks of senior year were kind of uncomfortable, and I lost some friends over something that seemed ridiculous at the time and even more ridiculous now.</p>
<p>Streaking was safer before cell phone cameras and Facebook!
Hugs to Pepper; sorry about your Dad’s health.
Happy b’day Arisamp! Happy 25th Yalemom!
D was co-val; it was tough always worrying about the GPA - it was her worrying, not us! Little bro is more chill; he has the same academic abilities as D, but he is not as hard on himself nor as hard working. I worry about him underperforming his potential while I worry about her never being content. Different kids, same couch and I love them both!</p>
<p>Thankfully elder kiddo is content with own performance and not worried about others…and does very well.</p>
<p>Younger kiddo has had a tougher road finding stride and while has same aptitude, also has a learnng disability. Hard to know when younger kiddo IS doing best work, when doing slouchy work/doesn’t care or when LD is a part of equation and needs help (and doesn’t use it). Can be quite frustrating.</p>
<p>One the Val/Sal thing…gotta tell ya–grades aren;t everything.
Our HSs recent Sal had a hard time getting into schools because the student wasn’t liked by peers nor teachers. Very obnoxious kid.</p>
<p>Pepper, gentle hugs to you my friend! I wish you wouldn’t stay away so long, but understand that family always comes first. So sorry to hear about your dad. You absolutely can relate to letting go of the hs crud and awards, can’t you?! </p>
<p>Bluejr’s school has streaking the lawn as one of the top 100 things you must do before you graduate. Actually for his class I think there are 115 (ie 115 for 2015). It really is a neat list. Obviously it’s a long standing tradition. The first recorded streaking goes back to 1937, however in 1974 first year students staged a mass streak in an attempt to break the world record. I don’t actually study this , I’m a native so a lot of the traditions/lore are common knowledge.</p>
<p>I wonder… a) whose kid is going to tell their parents they’ve streaked on campus, and b) which parents will report here. My money is on Amanda!!! AmandaSon may not actually be the streaker, but the one who convinces and organizes everyone else!!</p>
<p>Pepper: So sorry to hear that your dad hasn’t been well. Hoping for brighter days ahead.</p>
<p>Val/Sal: Our high school doesn’t rank but that doesn’t keep the competitive parents in check. At Open House when S2 was a junior, I sat near a mom who asked to see S2’s schedule. I shared it with her and she said, “Hmmpf, band! Ought to get out of that. He can’t get any extra points for that – it’s not an honors or an AP class.” Geez – he liked band! I wasn’t going to tell him not to take it. Besides, what did it matter??</p>
<p>^ And band can be a good EC showing long term commitment for schools that use holistic admissions. If your student likes it it’s a win-win!! </p>
<p>Our kids take IT classes, many that are DE at the local CC. In doing so they have to forgo some AP classes to make room, or take them online…now who wants to take APUSH online on top of everything else in your Jr year? Yea, um…no. Ironically very, very few of the IT classes are weighted so essentially our kids get dinged for specializing in IT at the IT high school. Kind of crazy. No one really bothers with it because most colleges recognize this when evaluating in admissions. It can hurt you if you are hovering at the top 10%tile mark and don’t make it so that’s a risk your student has to account for.</p>
<p>A few years ago, before S and I had even started thinking of college, I mentioned to an adult that S had enjoyed his math camp that summer. The adult said “great! Colleges love that!”. Huh. I thought he went because HE loved that! :p</p>
<p>“^ And band can be a good EC showing long term commitment for schools that use holistic admissions. If your student likes it it’s a win-win!!”</p>
<p>My son didn’t even like it but it was the only thing DH and I insisted he stick with for exactly that reason. He enjoyed playing but complained about every band instructor he had. Apparently, all band instructors all a<strong>h</strong>*s. ;)</p>
<p>How very sad that kids aren’t allowed to be kids…</p>
<p>I am fortunate that I have been able to volunteer to work with kids a good bit-a lot of these poor kids are so maxed out-I get kids who come and talk to me about this stuff. In some ways working with them has helped me to realize when I need to back off with my kids and just let them be and do what they need to do. </p>
<p>We live in an extremely competitive town and it’s only gotten worse. I can’t tell you how many kids seem to not have a spare minute to just be.</p>
<p>Of course there are kids who are just very driven and want to do everything they can squeeze into a day-but from what I have learned over the years there are a lot who are given no choice-their parents are really living vicariously through them.</p>
<p>I will never forget that awful night when my son didn’t get into his dream school-I know my friends here remember that well…and I felt so terribly that I hadn’t done enough to give him a real shot at that school-or the other two that told him no or maybe that night. He looked at me and told me I had given him the greatest gift a mother could give-I let him be a kid! I provided information and opportunities but he made his choices-and he told me that night he would be OK-he had lots of great options still-and he was happy.</p>
<p>There were many times during the process I was pushed to my limits-I am a pretty competitive person-but being here, seeing what you guys were doing with your kids, and being able to vent and read and see where I was crossing the line-what a gift.</p>
<p>It’s probably something I should post on that thread.</p>
<p>Just checking in. We had 14 for Rosh Hashanah dinner last night, so I spent the past few days shopping, cooking and cleaning up. We had a nice holiday, but I really missed
D2. She went to Hillel last night for dinner but didn’t want to miss her classes today. I hope those celebrating had a nice holiday.</p>
<p>Pepper - You are a great mom and it’s wonderful that your son told you. I completely agree that kids need to be kids.</p>
<p>My D1 loves to be busy, but D2 likes her down time. My H and I were concerned when she cut down on organized activities in HS, but we let her make the choice. She was a good student and stayed invovled in a few things that interested her, but was not a superstar by any means. She ended up at a school that she loves that is great fit for her academically and socially. Things have a way of working out. I loved BI and Emilybee’s comments on the upset parent’s thread. </p>
<p>Welcome back, Yalemom. Your empty nest trip sounds like a great idea. </p>
<p>Collage1: It sounds like you had a good trip visiting your daughters. I’m really glad to hear how happy D2 is. I remember what a tough decision she had back in the spring.</p>
<p>Happy B-day to Arisamp. The DVD sounds wonderful. What a thoughtful gift.</p>
, I’m a native so a lot of the traditions/lore are common knowledge.</p>
AmandaSon may not actually be the streaker, but the one who convinces and organizes everyone else!!</p>