The great Christmas Computer project! DS18 announced that he felt a bit inadequate because he’s the only one in his computer geek peer group that hasn’t built his own computer so he and DS20 asked for components to build their own computers over Christmas as their Christmas present. We agreed but told them they need to do all the research on what they wanted and why and pricing. I got the first email about a ‘component’ today. Who knew that pricey gaming/computer chairs were a computer component needed to build a computer?
=))
I just got to thinking how fragile life is, which is depressing given all we are looking forward to in the next year.
Some kid does something that he thinks is funny and puts my D–who already has metal in her spine–into a situation where she falls backward onto her back and neck. She hurts her back and gets a concussion.
Thankfully, these should heal, but it could really have been much worse.
And now she’s supposed to be cautious because she’s at risk for another concussion.
That’s my depressing moment. Now I have to move on.
Thank you all for your messages.
We got that one today too. Sure was nice seeing those columns balance out wasn’t it?
Geez, @MACmiracle, I’d be a mess if that happened to my D. Big hugs to both of you.
@MACmiracle Wow. Just wow. That’s upsetting to say the least. And yes, once you’ve had a first concussion, a person is more susceptible to another and another, but every body is different. And hopefully, she’s not put in a position to sustain another one. Ever. Honestly, I would not be a happy camper. No, I would not. G-d’s speed to your D.
I’m sorry it’s been such a rough day in your house today, @MACmiracle. Hoping things get better soon.
@gclsports, that’s weird but I’d probably just let it go.
@DavidPuddy Indeed it was!
UNM’s housing portal opened today, btw. I know there are other schools higher up on your S’s list, so just FYI.
@MACmiracle: I’m sorry about your D.
@gclsports: I’d correct it.
The housing deposit is non-refundable.
Oh @MACmiracle I am so sorry for you and your D! I think I would be beside myself in your shoes. Hugs to you both!
@gclsports if I knew my kid had entered the info correctly on the app, I would be inclined to just let it go. But I would probably still fret about it, because that is how I roll… 8-}
SO excited for everyone hitting submit this week! D should be able to any day now… because she was done on Saturday, but… is working on a few small details. It truly feels like the finish line is right there and she’s crawling for it on bloodied hands and knees… maybe with a few zombies behind her trying grab her and pull her back. 8-X Will she get there in time to save herself? Who knows… :-??
I did give her a heads up today that when she’s done with her EA stuff, she has to start work on “phase 2”: her honors college app for her safety, which involves 2 long essays, non-recyclable topics, due 11/13 to be competitive for additional scholarships. Her response? :-t “Do I have to?” Ummm… yes, yes you do. 
@MACmiracle , how sad! I really am sorry this happened to your poor daughter. 
I would be SO upset and I truly wish her a speedy recovery.
@MACmiracle - I hope your daughter is able to take this unexpected break in stride. Stress is an enemy to a quick recovery.
Go2boy has two early unexpected acceptances so he has decided not to apply in-state. This should free him up to apply to some separate scholarships. He only applied to schools that will give automatic merit with the application so we’re getting a head start on putting together a list of feasible options. This was very different than when go2girl applied. She not only had to get in, but do separate applications/interviews. Ultimately it paid off and she’s in her senior year at Vandy.
I envy those of you who can be hands-off with your kids’ process. Since there is so much $$ riding on it, we just don’t have the luxury of leaving it in their hands. That said, I have learned so much about my kids every time I do a final proof on their essays. And even though they are the ones going to college, they need to know it’s taking our entire family to make it happen.
My navy friend once told me IDs work as temporary impromptu chest seals. Student IDs, drivers license etc. held in place since they are often on the person and readily available.
“A credit or ID card would even work once taped into place.”
http://www.tacticalmedicine.com/files/TWSep09.pdf
Sadly, that random piece of information seemed really unlikely to ever be useful to me a decade ago, now I feel like it’s probably something to rattle off on move in weekend along with all of the other last minute words of wisdom and advice.
@MACmiracle sorry to hear about D fall and concussion. Hope she can recover quickly.
@MACmiracle I’m so sorry about your DDs fall! Hoping for quick healing!
@MACmiracle so sorry to hear about your D’s fall. That is so distressing.
I feel like I can read this board again because my D18 finally hit send on her first 3 applications. It was stressing me out to read about kids who already have acceptances when my d hadn’t yet applied to a single school!
I have a question about honors colleges. My DD is asking what is the value of an honors college? Will it be extra work or just prestige? What is the benefit? Will it take away from time for internships etc?
(I think she wants to really understand why she has to do all these extra essays?).
S has submitted his housing app to UNM. There’s a $50 non-refundable deposit, but they charge it to the student’s bursar account instead of taking a credit card payment upfront. That’s interesting. I wonder how / when we have to pay that?
He (we) dithered back and forth over the Honors Community floor vs. a different dorm he liked better but I hated. :-" Then we found out that the Living Learning Community for Fine Arts (theatre) is housed in the one he likes, so he won.
He put the Honors floor as his second choice, and I promised to be gracious in defeat. O:-)
He also submitted his Honors College application, but he’s auto-admit, so it’s a formality.
He still has two scholarship applications to work on, Elks and one other, but we are narrowing in on done. Maybe it’s just the super-hectic last two or three weeks, but I’m pretty ready for “done” and I’d imagine most of you are, too.
@Astro77 From what has been said by our own colleges, honors status gets you preferred scheduling and, in some cases, preferred housing (honors dorm, etc). At least one school has an extra class everyone needs to take, and the prospect of an honors project/thesis at the end of it all. There are also GPA requirements to stay.
I was in my own school’s honors program, and left after the first year. I did, however, make lifelong college friends in my first honors seminar - it was lightning in a bottle, the mix of personalities, and we are all close to this day.
My daughter will apply/compete if asked by the school, but we will have to look into the requirements very carefully to see if they are doable with her major. She is a possible for at least one of her schools, but I’m going to assume she will not be invited by anybody else.
@Astro77 Based on what I understand, each Honors College or Program is a bit different. Many offer priority scheduling, honors housing and the opportunity to complete an Honors degree which would be more work. But some are less formal and allow the student to simply take honors classes (smaller group setting, potentially additional research opportunities). Pitt is more of the latter style where you can pick and choose what you want from the Honors offerings and some of the more presitious programs like Barrett and the South Carolina Honors College are more a separate, smaller but prestigious college community within a larger university if that makes sense.
@MACmiracle sorry to hear about your daughter’s fall, like there’s not enough going on. Hope she recovers quickly
We are of the same mindset as @go2mom. Merit money is important and we are there to provide support and guidance. Fortunately, S’18 is a think out loud kind of guy and he likes to have a sounding board as he paces around. So, we provide feedback, but the ideas are all his.
S’18 hit submit on a Nov 1 REA Common App school. Now he needs to get the arts supplement in, but it is done and ready to go. It’s the arts supplement that has taken so much time to put together. Essays have been done for a while.
So, 3 apps submitted and 6 left (and some scholarship apps). On to the next batch.