<p>D’s first quarter ended last week, she was home for Thanksgiving and is now back at school for her sport and training trip to Florida next week. She will make a quick trip home to watch D2016 in her school play this weekend. Time is flying by–she got her first choices for 2nd quarter classes and will spend 3rd quarter in Spain for study abroad.</p>
<p>She called today–all A’s first quarter, including organic chem and the sophomore writing seminar!!! She was thrilled beyond belief.</p>
<p>AWESOME dentmom! It’s always wonderful to hear great news from our kids - you can be as thrilled as she is!</p>
<p>Well we seem to have reached melt down season. Both DDs struggling to balance end of the semester workload with end of the semester performances and tournaments. Had venting phone calls with both girls, them stressing, me trying to provide positive vibes and virtual hugs. Very ready for winter break!</p>
<p>Sending hugs your way 1012mom. Winter break should be here soon.</p>
<p>My guy flies home the 20th. Many of his friends come home sooner.</p>
<p>We had the meltdown venting phone call too- then her phone died so we had the mad scramble of getting her a new phone and contract (ours expires this month and we were going to switch carriers). So now she has a cell phone bill in her own name and an iphone, all in a day. And I have to figure out if we can piggy back on her plan or if I have to get a separate plan for S and I. But, she has a phone- it’s part of her Christmas present along with the boots and coat I sent her… she’s not going to have much under the tree because she needed it all NOW. Would you wrap empty boxes?</p>
<p>I don’t think I’d wrap boxes, but can you put pics on or in with a much smaller (very inexpensive) gift she’d like? Perhaps a box of chocolate or something similar? That seems like it would be a nice touch.</p>
<p>Finals are done for my S!!! He is now home until Jan.5.</p>
<p>Wishing for safe travels for everyone and some, I am sure, well deserved relaxation!!</p>
<p>I did get her a couple smaller things so she will have some stuff to open Christmas morning, but not as much as if she’d gotten her boots, coat and phone then, instead of weeks early.</p>
<p>S also comes home on the 20th. Without going into the odyssey of gynecological issues, I had another procedure today and my S, who I sometimes wonder about his ability to see outside his own world, sent a really sweet text. I’ve been working towards him doing more than just complaining about school work to us, I text pictures of some Christmas ornaments, the dusting of snow that got a 2 hour delay, etc. He’s excited because he gets a single next semester on his floor that he loves, but he has to go back a few days early.</p>
<p>Nellie, must be nice to be done with finals so soon! Glad he made it home safely. Mine comes home on the 18th. </p>
<p>BarnardMom, I think small gifts can be really fun and creative sometimes… once my mother framed two side-by-side photos of me and my son (both as toddlers) hiding inside the same giant basket in her house. I still have it on view. Maybe you could get some accessories for the iphone? </p>
<p>Eyemamom, best wishes for your health. </p>
<p>I hope those who are stressed with finals get some much needed relaxation soon - some of the colleges have special “de-stress” events during finals week like playing with puppies that are brought in from a rescue group, or just movies & yoga. I figure we can all use some of that! Here’s to safe holiday travels for all during this stormy season.</p>
<p>I think you’ve won the race for getting our '12 home for the holidays, Nellie! Congrats - and enjoy!</p>
<p>Eyemamom - I’ll add best wishes for your health - and kudos for getting your guy to see outside his world! That’s a tough thing to do when they’re in college.</p>
<p>I’ll also add best wishes for safe travel for all too.</p>
<p>School here is closed today. We had a 2 hour delay yesterday. If this is going to be typical of winter my youngest won’t be graduating in May as they add extra days (beyond the first couple) to the end of the school year. I really would like a May graduation…</p>
<p>^Last year in NJ with all the closings for Hurricane Sandy, I think all the graduations still took place on time. If it is really really bad, it seems like around here they just change the rules. It does seem like a lot of early bad weather, though.</p>
<p>Last year our graduation was delayed a day due to too many snow days (and Sandy days). Oodles of people complained due to having made reservations, etc. It didn’t matter…</p>
<p>Anyone’s student starting to plan a semester abroad? My S got home 2 days ago. Finals all done. Already a second semester sophomore now! Can you guys believe it?? The time is flying by. He is thinking about 1st semester Junior year going to Australia. Probably University of Sydney. Anybody with some tips would be appreciated.</p>
<p>As an aside, the HS class of 2014 thread is heating up with many nervous parents. I know many here are also on that site, with current HS seniors. Most of us old-timers ( a-hem, Wackaloons) are much more mellow this second time around…Isn’t nice not to feel like a Wackaloon anymore?</p>
<p>Yes, my son is also thinking about a Study abroad in New Zealand or Australia. As you probably know by now their semesters are out of sinc with ours as their season are flipped. At my son’s school, they work with a company called IES as their approved study abroad company though there are two others that are pretty well known: IFSA Butler and Arcadia.
The reason for him working with IES is that since they are approved he will retain his merit money as part of the cost offset. So that would be my first suggestion is to determine if your son’s school has any kind of exchange or approved groups they work with.</p>
<p>I have done a fair amount of research if you want to PM any questions to me.</p>
<p>My '12 isn’t interested in study abroad but my '14 definitely wants to do it. Seem to me you need to carefully plan your schedule so all you really need to take is electives that semester. </p>
<p>And yes, I’m on that '14 thread and completely mellow this time around. I learned A LOT of lessons the first go round so we’ve got 3 acceptances in hand already, she didn’t fall in love with one school, she’s a more well rounded student and definitely one of those who would be fine in many situations. (any alcohol I have sucked down this time has been recreational only) It’s like night and day. Only problem now is pretty much her senioritis and anxiety over the transition and making a decision. She still has 7 more to hear from (we may have gone overboard with the apps)</p>
<p>My son did summer session abroad in Spain last May-June. He loved it but was so happy to get home to us and our hot showers. I suggested trying a semester abroad next year and he was NOT interested. Hard to believe that our kids have (or will have in a week) completed 3 semesters!</p>
<p>Actually, you can take required classes abroad, my son will need to take 2 or 3 depending on when he goes. You just have to plan it out.</p>
<p>Thanks Lakemom. He is going to apply through Global Links, which seems very well organized and is an affiliate to CofC. Once he gets admitted, he can pick his classes and will have to get them approved by CofC. Global Links also mentioned Griffith University in Brisbane as being strong for business studies. Have you done much research on Univ of Sydney or Griffith U? He would leave from July -November, and then be back in plenty of time to start back up for Jan. I might have to start planning a trip down under myself!</p>
<p>I only know about Univ of Sydney and Univ of Cantebury in NZ. My son is studying engineering so has to be able to take his courses in order so he does not get behind.</p>