<p>This is hard for a lot of families. My older brother graduated university about a year and a half ago, I will enter university next year, the next two boys younger than me will be entering Junior and Senior year next year, and the youngest boy will enter high school next year (Yikes!). Honestly, each year is different. I’ve always been among the oldest students in the class because of the cut off date-second oldest in my senior year class now-and even the kids close to my age weren’t ready for high school. My brother isn’t mature enough, not yet at least. But they fit in and it all works eventually. And if you haven’t talked to your son about dropping the violin yet, I suggest you talk to him. I do think he should have some sort of curricular activity, but not violin if he hates it. The two middle brothers (the future senior and junior-both took instruments, drums and guitar respectively. And they both dropped out after a long line of skipping out on practice. That’s just my two cents. </p>
<p>So sorry for all you sick parents out there. Hopefully AsleepAtTheWheel’s humor helped ease some of the sickness… as they say, humor is the best medicine. Hey, I just received a $4K/year raise! D2014 (twin A) decided to quit her sorority bc she just didn’t have time for it with her academics and other interests. Although I was in a sorority and loved it, it didn’t cost $4K/year on top of tuition/room and board. I went to a state school and all 100 of us in the sorority lived in one beautiful house but the cost turned out to be less than living in a dorm. in my D’s case, the sorority only housed 60 girls which is about 25% of all the girls. So most don’t live in the house, but still pay the same $4K/year. I am sad that she won’t have the “sister” experience that I had, but I know this is her experience, not mine. And, I need to focus on the fact that my D made a wise financial decision. She just couldn’t justify the cost for the amount of time she could devote to it. </p>
<p>That seems pretty high. My d is in a sorority and it isn’t a fraction of that. But her school doesn’t have sorority houses, they have big meeting rooms, then there is one floor on a dorm. But usually just the sophomores live on the floor. Even at that only 40 of the 72 sophomores can live on the floor. D will find out next month if she makes the cut. I don’t think she cares either way. I’m sorry it didn’t work out for her. My d was ready to drop it for the first 2/3 of the semester, but I think she’s come around. She initiates in January (so I’m guessing if you know sororities you know which she’s in) But I agree, if it isn’t for her, then that’s okay too. I don’t think it’s even that big a part of d’s college life - her best friends are all in different ones. I wasn’t in a sorority in college so I know it made no difference in my life. I still went to frat parties, I still had friends, I still had the college experience I wanted. </p>
<p>@crowlady and @Overtheedge – sending healing vibes to you both. DS finished his last final tonight (physics) and is headed home tomorrow. Can’t wait to see him again!</p>
<p>Our tuition bill is due mid-January although I haven’t seen a bill. It might have gone to DH’s email though since he handled it in the fall. </p>
<p>DS was initiated into his fraternity right after Thanksgiving. His fees are small, so small that I keep asking him if he’s sure that’s all it is. We paid $350 in the fall, although of course he doesn’t live there. All sophomores live in the house, but are required to have a university meal plan. Case has a 2 year residency requirement and the Greek houses are considered university housing but sophomores the have to get the case meal plan. Juniors live in the house, and eat meals there. Seniors live outside the house. I assume sophomore year costs will essentially be the same as room and board plus maybe another $750-1,000 for fraternity stuff.</p>
<p>Both DH and I were Greek and support DS’s decision to go Greek. From what I can tell, Greek life at Case is very different from that at big state schools and even from what it was at Northwestern.</p>
<p>Our son has his initiation for his fraternity the day after his second semester starts. His dues are $1,000 a year. He is responsible for paying that. We handle college, day-to-day things like food and books. Fortunately, it is broken into a payment plan. He usually calls just before they are due and asks I move more money into his checking account. He is eligible to live in his house in the fall, but he likes being a college athlete. In other words, he will stay in the suite with three teammates. </p>
<p>His grades finally came up. Wonderful first semester! Dean’s List!</p>
<p>Almost all of DS’s fraternity brothers are teammates or former team members so he won’t lose out on that aspect when he moves in next year.</p>
<p>
I guess I should not be complaining too much. We are only paying for 1 full pay. Younger D is a 4th grader, so we have time to recover.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for the wellness wishes!</p>
<p>@2014novamom - your S reminds me of my HS and long distance college BF. He played varsity soccer at Case and was in a fraternity. He also managed a 4.0 as a pre-med (Chem/English double major) and gained early admission to JHU med school. Not sure why I let that one get away - lol. </p>
<p>@overtheedge – my wife, married to a physician, can tell you why you let him go. </p>
<p>^LMAO.</p>
<p>D’s tuition was billed for the year last June and their payment plan was spread over ten months so we only have 3 monthly payments left and her freshman year is done! S-2011 is a senior and has a full tuition ride this year so just room and board is looking pretty good right now.</p>
<p>My girls are home! All “3 tall” at one time in the same house (well #3 is a junior in HS so she technically is at school right now). But when the 2 got home late last night, the house felt more like home again. </p>
<p>I talked to the two returning Ds this a.m. Life is good. They love their experience. They are doing well academically and have found “their people.” My one D said her biggest learning is that it is ok to be upset about something and actually express it and fix it. She has always been one to avoid conflict and try to be nice about everything. Well, nice side benefit there! Thank you college. </p>
<p>@3tallblonds – I was wondering when the twins would be home. It must be wonderful. And Congrats to them for pulling this off, thousands of miles away from home. </p>
<p>S got home yesterday evening, spent a few hours with us chatting and then went out with his best friend for a late night meal. Today he was out the door by 10:30 to visit his alma mater (again with the best friend) and spent the entire day there! He talked to old teachers, counselors, coaches, current students, and alumni who were back visiting. He said that as usual, the place was full of alumni and he even recognized people who were seniors when he was a freshman. It’s hard to explain the pull that this school has on its students. Some of course can’t wait to get away but the majority have really fond feelings towards it and come back to visit often. </p>
<p>He then came home for a few hours and is now out again, this time to hang out with a group of friends at someone’s house. Tomorrow he is going to an after school soccer practice and then a basketball game and I think Friday he is hanging out with friends again. I know he is happy at Case, but he also clearly missed his old friends. It’s good to see him happy at both places!</p>
<p>@2014novamom - did our kids go to the same HS? Sounds like my D’s day today.</p>
<p>Congratulations to all the DS and DD who have survived their first semester! @2014novamom and @Tperry1982, my DS ALSO sounds like yours! He has already spent half a day at his old high school and a few hours at his old grade school. His high school sounds like your son’s @2014novamom. I have thought this before! DS seems to have grown up a bit, as well. He is working quite a few hours and starts at 5:00 am each day. He did this over the summer, but I often had to wake him at 4:00 to get ready to go. So far, he has gotten himself up and out on time each day! Yay for him!</p>
<p>Well, my S14 came home last night – but is not quite done with the semester. His writing instructor extended a deadline for him until midnight tonight for the last assignment. On the one hand, I’m grateful – he’s struggled with writing this term (he easily gets paralyzed) and if he doesn’t make it through this class he’ll have to start all over from zero. I can’t believe how understanding she is. But it is hard to have him home but not yet free to relax and have fun. </p>
<p>Patience… </p>
<p>@3tallblonds What a wonderful lesson for your daughter to have learned. I still have a hard time with that one myself!</p>
<p>DD arrived home late this afternoon. She seems very relaxed as she is “free” of classes and classwork until January 12th. She is looking forward to relaxing, visiting with friends and seeing her nieces and nephews. She won’t know her grades until early next week but feels that she may have one B and the rest A’s or A-'s. At dinner this evening she talked about changing majors next year and going into education. Time will tell. It appears the launch and first semester have been very successful.</p>
<p>Son has been home about nine days now. He’s been back to his high school several times to run with the track and field team. He also ran with a rival high school’s team and then talked to the team about college, competing in college and the importance of merit money, because lots of kids do not know about that. He also gave a presentation to the underclassmen at his high school about the value of AP classes. Ran into several former teachers who were thrilled to see him (lots of hugs from the grandmas!). Talked to him about finding an internship for the summer, as he needs money for his expenses like his fraternity. He’s also helped around the house, because I’m recovering from pneumonia, and his dad has a sinus infection. </p>
<p>Looking forward to seeing Son No. 1. The first semester is in the books at law school. Time to sleep, he said!</p>