<p>D went back to school after a very long spring break at the beginning of the week. She’s accepted a research job for the summer, and it looks like she probably won’t be home this summer. Well, perhaps for a week or two, but I think it’s when I’m gone. I guess we’ll work out the practicalities soon.</p>
<p>Just a reminder to make sure to fill out and submit a new FAFSA for the upcoming school year. (And wanted to move the thread off of page 4!)</p>
<p>thanks for the reminder hsmom, I have to get the FAFSA in for D1 (who is taking unsub loans) by May 1. </p>
<p>skyped with D yesterday, everything at college seems to be going “fine” She and her bf found 3 easter eggs which the school hid around the quads, out of 200, so not too bad. She is talking to upperclassmen about classes for next year. She has her room. She is preparing for “greek week” Things seem pretty good. Only 
is she will not be coming home for the summer, she will be working at Cedar Point in Ohio as a “ride host” on the ferris wheel. We will fly her home for one week. Previous summer she worked at a resident camp so we didn’t see her much then either.</p>
<p>My daughter came home Friday and surprised us. She is going back today. It was nice having dinner as a family last night!! Tomorrow she has to do her housing again- for some reason it did not work out the first time. They want a suite- I am crossing my fingers.</p>
<p>We are going up to visit D2 next weekend. There is an event for parents to attend. We will be meeting her new BF for the first time. I have been told to be on my best behavior. </p>
<p>D2 doesn’t have anything concrete yet for the summer. We have few trips planned this summer and this may be the last summer she’ll be home, so I am not pushing her too hard to get a job. She may end up doing some babysitting or tutoring in our building.</p>
<p>Can’t believe the year is almost over. I am trying to figure out what to do with her stuff up at school. We may put her things in storage because we don’t have that much space at home.</p>
<p>We had nice conversations with both older boys (S’14, S’16) yesterday. I can’t remember the last time we talked with both the same day (when they weren’t both here at home). It was a nice Easter present! Both are doing well. Oldest is looking forward to getting married this summer, and has been working out married student housing and things. Middle isn’t sure yet what he is doing, but he’s definitely staying active at college with all sorts of activities (some of which include studying). He’s really happy at college.</p>
<p>Hubby and I have continued our talks pondering what we’re going to do after our youngest heads to college. He’ll be applying this fall.</p>
<p>Time sure flies!</p>
<p>Younger daughter left last Tuesday, older daughter leaves today. I always feel sad the first day they are both gone. It passes, but still, it’s been so great having them here, spring break is short enough that no one makes anyone else crazy. </p>
<p>Older daughter graduates and we began looking at neighborhoods for her to move into in July. She was funny, so certain she didn’t need to do that, she knew all the neighborhoods, until she started looking with housing in mind. What’s too busy, where’s the supermarket, dry cleaners, subway, etc. Which neighborhoods have a large enough number of young people, restaurants, clubs, etc. It was a fun and productive but tiring two days. It’s going to be odd having the older one close by and mostly available for family things and the younger one not, total turnaround of what we got used to for the prior three years. </p>
<p>Younger daughter just started third term and she’s still happy on the phone. We’ll wait for that to end!</p>
<p>S headed back for his last quarter today and I know the house will feel very quiet this evening. </p>
<p>It was so nice to have him home and we’re both really happy with how he’s doing at school. He seems to have figured out how to balance school, sport and work and manages to have time for a bit of fun. I wish he would put more thought into where he wants to head in the future. So far he’s mostly focused on what requirements there are and how to meet those requirements. Perhaps its too soon to expect that of him.</p>
<p>Northernwoods – I think some advisors encourage “meet the requirements” thinking. At least in theory, doing distribution requirements early (in Weinberg, anyway) exposes the kids to different fields, some of which they will take to and from which they’ll make major/career decisions. I’d like to see how that works out in practice. </p>
<p>After taking the fundamentals class this last quarter, S “wouldn’t be opposed to” taking another programming class. I’m surprised but I’m not, if you know what I mean.</p>
<p>He should be back by now, but hasn’t bothered to send the text I requested. At least I got one from the gate so I know he almost certainly got on the plane.</p>
<p>I suspect that is what is going on, Steve. </p>
<p>S has really liked the 2 computer programming classes he has taken so far and is taking another one this semester. I think he is settling in to math and comp sci as probable majors. I’m hoping he’ll connect with a professor who might suggest some possible paths for him. I’m planning on some subtle nudging to get him to office hours, so he might make a more personal connection.</p>
<p>Had a nice holiday weekend with D. Put her on a plane after lunch yesterday and she was back studying by late afternoon. She needs to meet with an advisor but has had so many test the last couple of weeks has not been able to fit it in. Hopefully she will get an appointment for next week. Lots of activities for her coming up. We are excited for spring parents weekend and honor society banquet… Can’t believe she is almost done with freshman year.</p>
<p>Guess it’s time for S to be thinking about next year. “Block options” for housing and course list were both apparently posted yesterday! They’ve changed the housing lottery around for next year. Hope he understands it. I looked at the info and it confused me.</p>
<p>Barnardgirl’s headache has become a bit of a medical emergency. It isn’t just a migraine- she has optic nerve inflammation from excessive intracranial pressure. The people at Barnard’s student health service are doing an incredible job of advocating for her, getting her emergency appointments with specialists and supporting her as she navigates this craziness from far away. </p>
<p>I’m prepared for a medical withdrawal and am getting some neurology contacts lined up from my former employer just in case, but I’m hoping the cause is the most benign of the possibilities and a spinal tap and meds will get things under control so she can finish out the term with support from disability services. </p>
<p>I haven’t figured out at what point I need to leave for NYC, but I know that I’ll know when it is time, if that makes any sense. I asked her if she wanted me to come and she said “not yet.” She’s having an MRI in an hour and that will tell us more. </p>
<p>This is making me want to have my S14 go to a college nearby. This is difficult to navigate from so far away.</p>
<p>Mazel Tov Creekland on the pending marriage of your DS1! My DD13 (year behind this group) just got back from visiting URochester and LOVED it. Of course, she doesn’t know if she loves the idea of college or that college in paticular. I might be waving at you next year across the Quad. </p>
<p>DS12 received his visa for a month in India, so now he will purchase tickets. It all seems so unreal!</p>
<p>Wow 2016BarnardMom, sorry to hear. Do they know why she is having this increase in pressure?</p>
<p>I am so sorry Barnardmom. That is very hard. I hope your daughter recovers quickly. Sending positive thoughts her way.</p>
<p>That’s what they are trying to figure out, Lakemom. There are a number of possibilities- some easily treated with medications, some life threatening. So far, all the doctors are leaning toward a benign cause. The MRI today should rule out brain or spinal tumor and give some idea of how damaged her optic nerves are. A spinal tap will tell how bad the pressure is but may also provide some instant relief as they can release some of the excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).</p>
<p>Please let us know what they find. So sorry that this is happening. It must be difficult to be far from her but at least she is someplace where the medical care is top notch.</p>
<p>((Hugs))) to you and your D, Barnardmom. Keep us posted when you can, we are thinking of you all!</p>
<p>I’m sorry to hear this Barnard mom, it has to be hard being away. My son also deals with migraines and the ruling out phase was scary. I hope she gets relief soon. </p>
<p>S texted this morning with pictures of snow out his window. We are on our college road trip for my youngest d and admissions talks have not gotten any more interesting</p>