It is fairly inexpensive and sometimes free to move into college dorms early.
There are a variety of activities that sometimes have early move in as part of the benefit of the group. Like honors. The honors kids often can move in a day or two early. Or sometimes you can move in early if you volunteer to help everyone else on the regular move in date.
Many colleges the rule is you have 24 hours after your last final to move out of your dorm - at the end of the school year.
Youngest college, which was also oldest’s College, NO.
So far, each year, youngest has had a 2:30 final and needed to be out by 6pm the same day. Which is really awful.
We are slow learners, but now we are paying for a one day extension, and moving her the next day, all the rest of her college move out days.
Showing posts with label college. Show all posts
Showing posts with label college. Show all posts
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Friday, September 08, 2017
Head shots - proactive and also would make a great gift
I looked briefly for it, but no luck.
On either Happier in Hollywood (Elizabeth and Sarah)
or on Gretchen and Elizabeth's original podcast,
Elizabeth was talking about the importance of having headshots.
She was suggesting everyone having up to date, professional headshots always ready. And she is talking about a professional photographer. Professional headshots.
We are talking about a resume/application/professional media quality picture of ones self.
The one oldest is using right now is actually from the wedding we attended in Alaska last year. It was taken by a professional photographer btw.
There was a great picture of him in his tux with a bow tie. GREAT picture. It was actually a picture of the two of us. He cropped himself and photoshopped out the background. And that is what he has been using.
For a couple years youngest was using a rejected high school year book picture. It was rejected because she was in a sleeveless blouse. It happened to be a great picture.
This week she called looking for it. I found it in the picture files in our house computer, easily because the files are very organized.
But it is now too dated. Her hair was long then. She has matured in last couple years.
When we see her next weekend (a week from now), we are going to take more pictures. DIY. Because she needs one now.
College takes them, at career days fair, for free, but her class schedule is too full to deal with the line that is always there.
When we get closer to college graduation, I absolutely would consider having professional ones taken. NOTE - that would be a very good graduation gift for kids in your family.
Middle gets a yearbook picture taken every year at her school. And she takes a lot of pictures, so she always has candids. Her boy has lots of good ones because they are dressed up a lot and she always takes pictures or has someone else take them. This is a couple with a large volume of pictures.. Youngest and oldest, not so much.
While I was digging thru picture files yesterday, for youngest, I sent her other good pictures of herself. Candids which could be cropped and used in different circumstances.
For example, there is a great one of her with the neighbor dog. If she needed a warm fuzzy candid picture for something informal, it would be great.
And there were several pictures with youngest and middle that could be cropped. The problem is the backgrounds. They are not plain backgrounds.
Oldest's picture had Alaska in background (outdoors in Juno) which you would have thought would have been okay, but was not. When the picture was tightly cropped, the background became odd.
I sent a note to someone yesterday saying here is another high school/college/life hint - when you or daughter are dressed up or even just having a good hair and makeup day, have someone take pictures in front of a plain background. And then keep those pictures in a special file (email, pc, phone) so you have them. Do it regularly so you have them and they are up to date.
On either Happier in Hollywood (Elizabeth and Sarah)
or on Gretchen and Elizabeth's original podcast,
Elizabeth was talking about the importance of having headshots.
She was suggesting everyone having up to date, professional headshots always ready. And she is talking about a professional photographer. Professional headshots.
We are talking about a resume/application/professional media quality picture of ones self.
The one oldest is using right now is actually from the wedding we attended in Alaska last year. It was taken by a professional photographer btw.
There was a great picture of him in his tux with a bow tie. GREAT picture. It was actually a picture of the two of us. He cropped himself and photoshopped out the background. And that is what he has been using.
For a couple years youngest was using a rejected high school year book picture. It was rejected because she was in a sleeveless blouse. It happened to be a great picture.
This week she called looking for it. I found it in the picture files in our house computer, easily because the files are very organized.
But it is now too dated. Her hair was long then. She has matured in last couple years.
When we see her next weekend (a week from now), we are going to take more pictures. DIY. Because she needs one now.
College takes them, at career days fair, for free, but her class schedule is too full to deal with the line that is always there.
When we get closer to college graduation, I absolutely would consider having professional ones taken. NOTE - that would be a very good graduation gift for kids in your family.
Middle gets a yearbook picture taken every year at her school. And she takes a lot of pictures, so she always has candids. Her boy has lots of good ones because they are dressed up a lot and she always takes pictures or has someone else take them. This is a couple with a large volume of pictures.. Youngest and oldest, not so much.
While I was digging thru picture files yesterday, for youngest, I sent her other good pictures of herself. Candids which could be cropped and used in different circumstances.
For example, there is a great one of her with the neighbor dog. If she needed a warm fuzzy candid picture for something informal, it would be great.
And there were several pictures with youngest and middle that could be cropped. The problem is the backgrounds. They are not plain backgrounds.
Oldest's picture had Alaska in background (outdoors in Juno) which you would have thought would have been okay, but was not. When the picture was tightly cropped, the background became odd.
I sent a note to someone yesterday saying here is another high school/college/life hint - when you or daughter are dressed up or even just having a good hair and makeup day, have someone take pictures in front of a plain background. And then keep those pictures in a special file (email, pc, phone) so you have them. Do it regularly so you have them and they are up to date.
Wednesday, March 01, 2017
If you have high school students who are college bound or undergrad college students, in the science fields, this is an important connection for summer programs
https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/index.jsp
This is something college bound high schoolers need to know, so they can plan ahead for college summers.
This is a great resource.
And if I have not mentioned it previously, have your kids keep lists of all their activities, programs and contacts. When asking for letters of recommendation, give the person a bio so they can reference the student's programs and activities.
This is something college bound high schoolers need to know, so they can plan ahead for college summers.
This is a great resource.
And if I have not mentioned it previously, have your kids keep lists of all their activities, programs and contacts. When asking for letters of recommendation, give the person a bio so they can reference the student's programs and activities.
Monday, February 29, 2016
College preparations right now, because it will be August move-in date in two blinks of an eye
One blink of an eye will be May graduation.
Two blinks will be college move-in date.
I am not kidding.
Last week we got a wrist watch for youngest. I realize in this day and age, people just use their phone. But cannot always have an iPhone out in many college circumstances (tests, practicums, performances, etc). I get Timex from Kohl's with light up dial. I buy them when they are on sale. This time they were on sale, I had a 30% coupon and I had $20 in Kohl's cash. I also bought a back up band (for the watch) because they always break on a key day. (Middle uses her wrist watch every day. Youngest will too. This might be a family thing. It might also depend on major. Nursing and teaching being two obvious watch oriented fields.)
I ordered LL Bean duck boots for youngest last October or November (2015). Lots of college walking in the rain. Duck boots are a must in my opinion. They arrived a couple weeks ago. (They are hand sewn in the USA and have consistent backlog of orders.) She needs a wide. LL Bean was the only one I found with a duck boot in wide. We took the boots into our local shoe guy to confirm fit. 6W was the smallest women's size. But we could have called customer service to figure out the equivalent next size down in boys, for example, if she needed smaller. We bought supportive inserts for the boots, size was confirmed, I got two pairs of replacement laces (they always break on the worst day).
College physical is required. Youngest is scheduled for next week. She needs a physical for another project. So we are getting one physical, having two forms completed, she is good for the next year.
If you remember, when we moved Middle into her apartment last fall, we turned right around, took inventory, bought what else was needed and packed youngest for college (fall of 2016). Bedding, towels, lamps, step stool, storage, bathroom caddy, long charger cords, power strips, bolster pillow, stuff for walls, etc, etc, etc are all packed.
I got her the right size suitcase for travel. She already had overnight size. (This makes a very good graduation gift, kids travel a lot in college).
I have already stocked extra underwear, sports bras, socks for youngest. I need to get more volleyball or softball (thick, tall) socks for her to wear with the duck boots. They are about the same height as ice skates and we know they rub without tall socks.
Stocked jeans and jeans shorts. Youngest is a very hard fit, so this is an important thing for us to do in advance. Waiting until the week before she leaves and we might not find anything. So that is done.
I stocked college appropriate shirts and jackets and sweaters last year. She has clothes appropriate for dress up and interviews. (This is different for us because our kids have lived with school uniforms K-12.)
We have been doing one thing a week or so.
A while ago it was stocking a lot of good quality bras. And regular shoes and dress shoes and good snow boots.
Paperwork has been flying fora couple months really a year now. (She is currently taking placement tests on line. We discovered she could do all of that now.) That is just a constant.
One week it was jeans. She had to go with me for try ons.
Another week it was shorts (as soon as they hit the stores and all sizes were stocked). With the shorts I bought two sizes of six kinds, she tried them on at home, I returned the rejects and bought more of the keepers. That is what I did with sports bras when I found them on sale too.
Last week it was the watch. Today was confirming fit of boots. Next week is doctor/physical.
So we are getting it all done, spacing out the demand on her time, spacing out the demand on my brain. And many, many things have been on sale. Like all the college dorm room stuff I got last fall.
I have known moms who have taken the week before college move in off work and done all the shopping then. I think that makes for a very emotional, stressful week for all. I think the getting ready process is really important to the transition. And I think having the stuff organized and the things needed (placement tests, physicals, etc) done early makes a very big difference in how the kids do.
The same way that I think college visits/deciding on a college should be (mostly) done during sophomore year in high school, I think college packing starts a year in advance of move-in date.
Two blinks will be college move-in date.
I am not kidding.
Last week we got a wrist watch for youngest. I realize in this day and age, people just use their phone. But cannot always have an iPhone out in many college circumstances (tests, practicums, performances, etc). I get Timex from Kohl's with light up dial. I buy them when they are on sale. This time they were on sale, I had a 30% coupon and I had $20 in Kohl's cash. I also bought a back up band (for the watch) because they always break on a key day. (Middle uses her wrist watch every day. Youngest will too. This might be a family thing. It might also depend on major. Nursing and teaching being two obvious watch oriented fields.)
I ordered LL Bean duck boots for youngest last October or November (2015). Lots of college walking in the rain. Duck boots are a must in my opinion. They arrived a couple weeks ago. (They are hand sewn in the USA and have consistent backlog of orders.) She needs a wide. LL Bean was the only one I found with a duck boot in wide. We took the boots into our local shoe guy to confirm fit. 6W was the smallest women's size. But we could have called customer service to figure out the equivalent next size down in boys, for example, if she needed smaller. We bought supportive inserts for the boots, size was confirmed, I got two pairs of replacement laces (they always break on the worst day).
College physical is required. Youngest is scheduled for next week. She needs a physical for another project. So we are getting one physical, having two forms completed, she is good for the next year.
If you remember, when we moved Middle into her apartment last fall, we turned right around, took inventory, bought what else was needed and packed youngest for college (fall of 2016). Bedding, towels, lamps, step stool, storage, bathroom caddy, long charger cords, power strips, bolster pillow, stuff for walls, etc, etc, etc are all packed.
I got her the right size suitcase for travel. She already had overnight size. (This makes a very good graduation gift, kids travel a lot in college).
I have already stocked extra underwear, sports bras, socks for youngest. I need to get more volleyball or softball (thick, tall) socks for her to wear with the duck boots. They are about the same height as ice skates and we know they rub without tall socks.
Stocked jeans and jeans shorts. Youngest is a very hard fit, so this is an important thing for us to do in advance. Waiting until the week before she leaves and we might not find anything. So that is done.
I stocked college appropriate shirts and jackets and sweaters last year. She has clothes appropriate for dress up and interviews. (This is different for us because our kids have lived with school uniforms K-12.)
We have been doing one thing a week or so.
A while ago it was stocking a lot of good quality bras. And regular shoes and dress shoes and good snow boots.
Paperwork has been flying for
One week it was jeans. She had to go with me for try ons.
Another week it was shorts (as soon as they hit the stores and all sizes were stocked). With the shorts I bought two sizes of six kinds, she tried them on at home, I returned the rejects and bought more of the keepers. That is what I did with sports bras when I found them on sale too.
Last week it was the watch. Today was confirming fit of boots. Next week is doctor/physical.
So we are getting it all done, spacing out the demand on her time, spacing out the demand on my brain. And many, many things have been on sale. Like all the college dorm room stuff I got last fall.
I have known moms who have taken the week before college move in off work and done all the shopping then. I think that makes for a very emotional, stressful week for all. I think the getting ready process is really important to the transition. And I think having the stuff organized and the things needed (placement tests, physicals, etc) done early makes a very big difference in how the kids do.
The same way that I think college visits/deciding on a college should be (mostly) done during sophomore year in high school, I think college packing starts a year in advance of move-in date.
Thursday, October 02, 2014
"He believes people are generally better off choosing to be part of a lesser known organization where they have a greater chance of standing out."
My brother is listening or reading David and Goliath right now.
I got a text from him yesterday saying the book talks about what I have always said about not letting a kid go to a college where they just barely get in and are at the bottom of the class.
I found this in my email inbox this morning. (I put the text from the link in comments, in case the link disappears over time).
I got a text from him yesterday saying the book talks about what I have always said about not letting a kid go to a college where they just barely get in and are at the bottom of the class.
I found this in my email inbox this morning. (I put the text from the link in comments, in case the link disappears over time).
Monday, September 29, 2014
College/trade school boy ideas
If you remember, I sent my nephew card games.
I had a very hard time coming up with that idea, but was very pleased when I finally did.
He is starting a trade school.
Just (last week) moved into an apartment with three boys he has never met.
My brother sent his address to me.
I happened to get it the same day I was meeting middle and her boy for dinner.
I mentioned I wanted to send something to my nephew, I always have (sent things) to his sister in college, but said I was having a very hard time thinking of non-food things for him.
I can fill a box to a girl in about five minutes in Target.
Boys are a bit trickier.
Middle's boy had very good suggestions. These will last me a while. And I will ask for more, he is a good source.
The first one is a good quality over the back of the door basketball hoop.
I ordered this one (below) from Amazon. The second picture shows an extra (soft) ball I sent too. I read a lot of reviews before settling on those two items. Hopefully they are good.
Another idea middle's boy had (will send later) is a velcro type dart board. (Suggestions of brands or types welcome in comments please, I am sure they are not all created equal.)
Then he (middle's boy) also suggested posters. I will ask my brother for very specific ideas. That is another good idea. Bare walls are not very homey.
I have had a couple texts from nephew, he is adjusting well. Likes the other guys. They have been gaming and cooking, waiting for classes to start.
I had a very hard time coming up with that idea, but was very pleased when I finally did.
He is starting a trade school.
Just (last week) moved into an apartment with three boys he has never met.
My brother sent his address to me.
I happened to get it the same day I was meeting middle and her boy for dinner.
I mentioned I wanted to send something to my nephew, I always have (sent things) to his sister in college, but said I was having a very hard time thinking of non-food things for him.
I can fill a box to a girl in about five minutes in Target.
Boys are a bit trickier.
Middle's boy had very good suggestions. These will last me a while. And I will ask for more, he is a good source.
The first one is a good quality over the back of the door basketball hoop.
I ordered this one (below) from Amazon. The second picture shows an extra (soft) ball I sent too. I read a lot of reviews before settling on those two items. Hopefully they are good.
Another idea middle's boy had (will send later) is a velcro type dart board. (Suggestions of brands or types welcome in comments please, I am sure they are not all created equal.)
Then he (middle's boy) also suggested posters. I will ask my brother for very specific ideas. That is another good idea. Bare walls are not very homey.
I have had a couple texts from nephew, he is adjusting well. Likes the other guys. They have been gaming and cooking, waiting for classes to start.
Saturday, September 06, 2014
I am Christmas shopping, birthday shopping, graduation (2015) gift shopping, BIG TIME, actively working to get it all done, and because I am doing it now, things are in stock, prices are good, and it is, very, very fun.
Back to school, college/dorm stuff is on sale now. A lot of the people on my list are in that age range.
I have a friend who will have one in college next year, I have been taking screen shots of good sale items that (next fall) freshman will need and sending them to her. She is ordering now, while things are on sale. She will be very glad next summer.
I bought a total of three vacuum cleaners. Identical, on clearance/sale. Earlier I bought one for middle for her dorm room. It picks up hair off her rugs. Really well. That is hard to find in a small vacuum. So, I knew it was good (for $ and size). Second one is a high school graduation gift for next spring/summer. The third is for oldest for either his (January) birthday or Christmas. Oldest was borrowing a friend's vacuum until she moved out of state. He does not have another vacuum connection. He will be glad to get it.
I also bought a solid gray, back support/leany pillow for middle's boy this fall. We were all looking but could not find one that was firm enough. So I bought the firmest one I could find, opened the bottom seam, stuffed a whole bag of stuffing in, resewed the opening. Husband helped, it required multiple hands. Works well for him. I bought a second one, in the black dots below, for a girl graduating from high school next spring.
Middle's boy has his birthday this next week. I thought of something very good for him that they can do as a couple. I had both of them mark a specific day on their calendar. The information is in his birthday card, envelope sealed tightly. He has the card. They are both sort of dying of curiosity. Having the date marked on their calendars and the sealed envelope adds to the fun. I did a (really) good job with this.
Nephew graduated from high school this spring. He is going to auto body school rather than college. He is sharing apartment with three other boys. My brother is condensing his own household in preparation for moving in with his new wife. Translation - nephew does not need good, new stuff. So, I have not been able to think of good gift (his sister got laptop case from us for graduation and all her dorm stuff for her birthday/Christmas). We try not to send $. Nephew leaves in a couple weeks to start school. I (finally) sent 9 card games. My middle and oldest have card games (their own sets, that stay with them). They LOVE having their own. They love to play. Nephew loves cards too. I think this will be very good. Maybe the four roommate boys can play cards and stay out of trouble . . .
Of those shown below - Monopoly is our favorite,
Fluxx is beloved by middle and her boy,
We all love Uno, Phase 10, Skip Bo.
I have heard good things about Pit and Rook.
Dutch Blitz and Ratuki looked good, but I don't actually know.
Oldest and youngest have January birthdays. I birthday shop for them at the same time I Christmas shop.
I thought of an idea for youngest. It is a collection type thing. I have been looking for them and ordering them. This is a good idea too. Very youngest. Very clever.
I have been actively, seriously shopping. Christmas, birthdays and graduation. I will be totally done and wrapped by Thanksgiving.
I have been doing most of this on line. I pay as little shipping as possible (almost always free, I have had to pay a little for youngest stuff because it is coming from odd places).
There is NO stress. I have been enjoying this hugely. My husband has enjoyed it too.
I have a friend who will have one in college next year, I have been taking screen shots of good sale items that (next fall) freshman will need and sending them to her. She is ordering now, while things are on sale. She will be very glad next summer.
I bought a total of three vacuum cleaners. Identical, on clearance/sale. Earlier I bought one for middle for her dorm room. It picks up hair off her rugs. Really well. That is hard to find in a small vacuum. So, I knew it was good (for $ and size). Second one is a high school graduation gift for next spring/summer. The third is for oldest for either his (January) birthday or Christmas. Oldest was borrowing a friend's vacuum until she moved out of state. He does not have another vacuum connection. He will be glad to get it.
I also bought a solid gray, back support/leany pillow for middle's boy this fall. We were all looking but could not find one that was firm enough. So I bought the firmest one I could find, opened the bottom seam, stuffed a whole bag of stuffing in, resewed the opening. Husband helped, it required multiple hands. Works well for him. I bought a second one, in the black dots below, for a girl graduating from high school next spring.
Middle's boy has his birthday this next week. I thought of something very good for him that they can do as a couple. I had both of them mark a specific day on their calendar. The information is in his birthday card, envelope sealed tightly. He has the card. They are both sort of dying of curiosity. Having the date marked on their calendars and the sealed envelope adds to the fun. I did a (really) good job with this.
Nephew graduated from high school this spring. He is going to auto body school rather than college. He is sharing apartment with three other boys. My brother is condensing his own household in preparation for moving in with his new wife. Translation - nephew does not need good, new stuff. So, I have not been able to think of good gift (his sister got laptop case from us for graduation and all her dorm stuff for her birthday/Christmas). We try not to send $. Nephew leaves in a couple weeks to start school. I (finally) sent 9 card games. My middle and oldest have card games (their own sets, that stay with them). They LOVE having their own. They love to play. Nephew loves cards too. I think this will be very good. Maybe the four roommate boys can play cards and stay out of trouble . . .
Of those shown below - Monopoly is our favorite,
Fluxx is beloved by middle and her boy,
We all love Uno, Phase 10, Skip Bo.
I have heard good things about Pit and Rook.
Dutch Blitz and Ratuki looked good, but I don't actually know.
Oldest and youngest have January birthdays. I birthday shop for them at the same time I Christmas shop.
I thought of an idea for youngest. It is a collection type thing. I have been looking for them and ordering them. This is a good idea too. Very youngest. Very clever.
I have been actively, seriously shopping. Christmas, birthdays and graduation. I will be totally done and wrapped by Thanksgiving.
I have been doing most of this on line. I pay as little shipping as possible (almost always free, I have had to pay a little for youngest stuff because it is coming from odd places).
There is NO stress. I have been enjoying this hugely. My husband has enjoyed it too.
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Naot, dress shoes for middle
Middle has to be in supportive shoes. And she loves shoes, especially unusual ones.
We discovered Naot a while ago.
They are not quite supportive enough for me for every day (I have to have major metatarsal support on the top in addition to arch support on the bottom), but for middle they are perfect.
This first pair are flats, she got them about a year ago. They are her go to pair of shoes for many things. She has worn them to church, to events like an outdoor summer wedding, and just running around town. No high heels to sink in grass/lawn. They are extremely comfortable. Perfect amount of support for her. They go with her slightly unusual dresses. In fact, they go with most anything.
Once upon a time, about sixth grade for both girls, they each got black, strappy heels.
They wore them each time they got dressed up.
Those strappy heels were fine for 6 through maybe 8th grade. They started grating on me about 9th grade. As soon as middle graduated from high school, I could not stand to see her in those shoes. Not enough support, not sophisticated enough. Just ridiculous.
Her pair went to Good Will.
I just went to look for youngest's to take a picture.
No luck.
They might have gone to Good Will too. . .
Yea!
So on the day we were cleaning out middle's closet and the hated black heels were circling the Good Will bag, we went shoe shopping for great dress shoes WITH support. A tough combination.
We went to our shoe store for ideas. They did not have what she finally ended up liking in stock, we had to order. We confirmed the correct size and then ordered through the store.
She got two pairs -
We discovered Naot a while ago.
They are not quite supportive enough for me for every day (I have to have major metatarsal support on the top in addition to arch support on the bottom), but for middle they are perfect.
This first pair are flats, she got them about a year ago. They are her go to pair of shoes for many things. She has worn them to church, to events like an outdoor summer wedding, and just running around town. No high heels to sink in grass/lawn. They are extremely comfortable. Perfect amount of support for her. They go with her slightly unusual dresses. In fact, they go with most anything.
Once upon a time, about sixth grade for both girls, they each got black, strappy heels.
They wore them each time they got dressed up.
Those strappy heels were fine for 6 through maybe 8th grade. They started grating on me about 9th grade. As soon as middle graduated from high school, I could not stand to see her in those shoes. Not enough support, not sophisticated enough. Just ridiculous.
Her pair went to Good Will.
I just went to look for youngest's to take a picture.
No luck.
They might have gone to Good Will too. . .
Yea!
So on the day we were cleaning out middle's closet and the hated black heels were circling the Good Will bag, we went shoe shopping for great dress shoes WITH support. A tough combination.
We went to our shoe store for ideas. They did not have what she finally ended up liking in stock, we had to order. We confirmed the correct size and then ordered through the store.
She got two pairs -
The shoe store carried other versions by this same company, so she was able to confirm the size. We were 100% sure the shoes would fit and she would like them when we placed our order (I can't remember if there was a restocking fee or a no return policy, but I remember we had to be sure. In fact, we went home and thought about it, compared styles/colors from their on line site, and then went back and ordered the next day.)
When she saw the similar shoes in the store, the first day we were just looking, she thought these were old lady shoes. Mostly because of the heel. However, when she put them on, she thought they were very chic and modern. And they are. Very sophisticated.
If I had someone getting married, or was attending weddings, and really needed a dress up shoe, our shoe guy and I would be combing through this company's catalog looking for shoes with enough metatarsal support to hold me. I think he could add a slight arch cookie to give me a little extra support with no problem. And if I chose carefully enough, I would only ever need the one pair to get me through many events.
Middle has worn her two pair several times now and really loves them.
Tuesday, June 03, 2014
If you have college or graduate school age guys in your life, you might have noticed this trend . . .
Beards.
Some of these guys grew beards as part of the No-Shave November movement. And then just kept them.
Some grew them as a bit of rebellion coming out of high schools with strict no facial hair policies.
Some grew them because they were finally able and wanted to show every other guy they knew that they could (a definite guy thing).
Some grew them because they have baby faces and realized they would look older with a beard.
Oldest (who did grow a beard last winter) says he thinks it is a reverse percentages thing. Because beards are not worn by the majority, they are desirable to a minority who want to look different. We have not yet seen his beard in person, will see him later this summer.
And if these boys have steady girl friends, whom they spend a lot of time kissing, they need to know about rinse out conditioners.
A good rinse out conditioner softens a beard hugely (and prevents beard burn on their girl friends).
Beard burns hurt (and show).
It is news to most younger guys that they need to condition their beard to protect their girlfriend's skin.
Some of these guys grew beards as part of the No-Shave November movement. And then just kept them.
Some grew them as a bit of rebellion coming out of high schools with strict no facial hair policies.
Some grew them because they were finally able and wanted to show every other guy they knew that they could (a definite guy thing).
Some grew them because they have baby faces and realized they would look older with a beard.
Oldest (who did grow a beard last winter) says he thinks it is a reverse percentages thing. Because beards are not worn by the majority, they are desirable to a minority who want to look different. We have not yet seen his beard in person, will see him later this summer.
And if these boys have steady girl friends, whom they spend a lot of time kissing, they need to know about rinse out conditioners.
A good rinse out conditioner softens a beard hugely (and prevents beard burn on their girl friends).
Beard burns hurt (and show).
It is news to most younger guys that they need to condition their beard to protect their girlfriend's skin.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
High school graduation gift ideas for college bound kids
These are all things middle has with her at college. When I was sort of stuck in her dorm room for 10 days, I took pictures and wrote this post. Please realize that she was in a double by herself, so she had lots of room this year. She is very social, has people over or staying with her all the time. All of these things will work well for her in an apartment or house.
I added a note to all items where oldest (male) used/liked them too.
Power strips with really long cords
We order on line, 10-15' cord. Oldest had two of these. He still has one at grad school in his apartment. The other went with middle to college. Both kids found them really helpful.
Really Useful Boxes from Office Depot
Middle has the 3 liter size. The 12 in her dorm hold these kinds of thing - female supplies, tools, first aid supplies, batteries, etc. Gift idea would be to buy boxes and then fill with items or give empty boxes. They stack, they are sturdy. She has a variety of colors, but you can still see through them for quick identification. The lids lock for ease of use/stacking.
She also has a set of the tiny ones on her desk for bulldog clips, rubber bands, etc. We have the same tiny ones at home in the cubbies in the computer room.
Small color printer with flatbed for copying/scanning/printing.
Yes, universities have printers for students to use. Middle has done major bulk printing as she puts binders together for future teacher reference use. But both she and oldest also have their own printer. Ease of use for small jobs. Safety factor for middle of the night, emergency needs.
Cord caddy for desk
Really important to get a weighted one (not adhesive). Middle has one on her desk. iPod, phone, etc chargers all in one spot. Really helpful. (The link is from Amazon, but I just bought one of these on an end cap display at Walgreen's for a graduation gift for youngest's car pool girl).
Air filter
Middle has tall, skinny one in her dorm room. Another (bigger) one in her room at home. We buy the kind with washable filters (not disposable). If you are buying one with disposable filters, buy a lot of filters. They are just like bras, go discontinued regularly. Target carries Honeywell brand which we prefer. If student has allergy/asthma issues, this is a great idea. Middle's best friend has one at college too.
Strips and hooks and putty.
All kinds of wonderful adhesives now available which do not damage item nor wall. My favorite place to get them is Hobby Lobby because I can buy one at a time with 40% off one item coupon. We often give a hangable item and include the product to hang it (like middle's painted letters, or a laminated poster, etc).
Tape
Duct tape now comes in fabulous designs. Regular scotch tape, double stick tape, packing tape, blue painter's tape. If you have an arty student or a student in a major (like education) they use a lot of supplies. Yes, middle has a Really Useful Box full of tape and glue.
Shower Bucket
The ones with the best handles and compartments seem to come with an unfortunate lack of drain holes in the bottom. If they are not brittle plastic (which you would not want anyway), we put masking tape on inside and outside and drill holes with power drill (using biggest bit we have). The tape is a woodworking trick that works on finished wood and apparently plastic.
Oldest had a Dopp kit for under grad college. I think he kept all his things in it and probably just carried what he needed to bathroom - toothbrush with paste already on it, razor and cream (he does not use shaving cream, but face lotion). shampoo and bottle of face soap (has never used bar, uses same thing on body as face). He still has his Dopp kit for travel. My husband has always had one too.
Stool with storage
Middle's came from Target when they put their college stuff on clearance. I think it might have been as low as $8. As you can see, she uses it for DVD storage. This is something she will love in an apartment or house.
The main reason she bought this (on sale) was for extra seating and so short people could get to her lofted extra bed. She jumps to the lofts, but most people can't do that. . .
She has a TV at school with a DVD player built in to it (helps with space). She has movie nights A LOT with friends. Or puts on a movie, she has already seen, for background noise when she is working on a project. She can get the campus TV stations, but then she is stuck with their schedule and commercials. She can get Netflix on her laptop, but then she can't use the laptop for other things. So, the TV has been used a lot. We did not buy it, we happened to have it. It is the kind of thing one now finds in closets or on garage sales as people move to flat screens.
Oldest had a flat screen at under grad and also now at grad school for gaming. So, an old TV would not be something he would ever want.
T-Shirt fabric sheet sets
All three of my kids prefer these soft sheets, so yes, oldest used these too. Remember if you are buying for college dorm beds, need XL twin size. I buy these at Target when they close out college stuff in fall. This size works well on the girls' pillow top regular twins at home too. The extra length compensates for the pillow top's thickness.
Quick dry bath towels
I am not sure how they are made. But they do dry more quickly. Good for both girls and guys. I buy these at Target too. If you remember, I buy sheet sets and towels in the same color families so they can all go in the same load of laundry at school. When I give these as gifts, I do 2 bath, 2 hand, 4 wash.
Body pillow
Middle uses her extra bed like a couch. I bought a cute but very, thick, sturdy body pillow cover at Target. I put TWO body pillows in it (back to back) so it is very firm. One body pillow is not firm at all. Yes, it took my husband and I both to sort of wrestle two pillows in one cover, sturdy and straight, but we managed.
Big Joe Roma Chair
Yes, some kids haul couches and futons and all kinds of stuff in very small dorm rooms. This chair worked well for middle, but we did have to add pellets half way through the year. This chair works against wall or in middle of a room. It has a back to it, so is MUCH. Better than a traditional bean bag, in my opinion. It also made a great cradle when middle was sitting with her friends' baby. He was comfy and could not fall. We ordered from Walmart, because I added a couple sale packages of zip lock bags to the order and the whole thing qualified for free shipping (and it was a very big box).
Step Stool
To be honest, we are the house of step stools for three reasons.
1. We have very high ceilings and shelves/cupboards go all the way to ceiling in every room.
2. Youngest is 5' even.
3. I broke my foot stepping up on a folding chair, so we use stools.
Dorm rooms often have tall ceilings and storage up high. Middle has a folding, two step, step stool in her college dorm room. It fits between the trash can and the wall and is both out of way and easily accessible. She has same stool in her closet at home. So do I. We have small stools in bathrooms. We have a large sturdy stool in kitchen pantry. Youngest's closet was designed got her, so things are lower, but she still has a one step stool in there for ease of use. She may well go to college with a three step stool depending on set up of dorm storage.
Microwaveable clear glass dishes with lids
I like the clear glass, NOT made in China. I do not like plastic in microwave nor for (wet) food storage. I buy Anchor Hocking. (And one other company I can't remember) made in USA.
I LOVE THESE LIDS. COMES IN RED AND NAVY -
HATE THIS GREEN LID TYPE -
Dorm Pillows
All three of my kids have these at home. Oldest and middle also use at college. I gave these to my niece and nephew one year for xmas and they love them. In order to be useful, these have to be VERY DENSE. For years I bought them on clearance at JC Penney's. I gave many as graduation gifts. I have not been able to find them at Penney's for the last year or two. And I have not been able to find dense ones anywhere. Do not buy them if they are at all soft.
Lap Top Desks
The kids (including oldest) all have these and love them. I have been giving these as graduation gifts recently. Be sure to get the one with the cushion on the bottom.
GAMES
The pictures from below are from oldest and middle's collection. The ones on the striped rug are middle. The last picture is oldest. They play games with friends at their respective colleges. They played in high school too.
I added a note to all items where oldest (male) used/liked them too.
Power strips with really long cords
We order on line, 10-15' cord. Oldest had two of these. He still has one at grad school in his apartment. The other went with middle to college. Both kids found them really helpful.
Really Useful Boxes from Office Depot
Middle has the 3 liter size. The 12 in her dorm hold these kinds of thing - female supplies, tools, first aid supplies, batteries, etc. Gift idea would be to buy boxes and then fill with items or give empty boxes. They stack, they are sturdy. She has a variety of colors, but you can still see through them for quick identification. The lids lock for ease of use/stacking.
She also has a set of the tiny ones on her desk for bulldog clips, rubber bands, etc. We have the same tiny ones at home in the cubbies in the computer room.
Small color printer with flatbed for copying/scanning/printing.
Yes, universities have printers for students to use. Middle has done major bulk printing as she puts binders together for future teacher reference use. But both she and oldest also have their own printer. Ease of use for small jobs. Safety factor for middle of the night, emergency needs.
Cord caddy for desk
Really important to get a weighted one (not adhesive). Middle has one on her desk. iPod, phone, etc chargers all in one spot. Really helpful. (The link is from Amazon, but I just bought one of these on an end cap display at Walgreen's for a graduation gift for youngest's car pool girl).
Air filter
Middle has tall, skinny one in her dorm room. Another (bigger) one in her room at home. We buy the kind with washable filters (not disposable). If you are buying one with disposable filters, buy a lot of filters. They are just like bras, go discontinued regularly. Target carries Honeywell brand which we prefer. If student has allergy/asthma issues, this is a great idea. Middle's best friend has one at college too.
Strips and hooks and putty.
All kinds of wonderful adhesives now available which do not damage item nor wall. My favorite place to get them is Hobby Lobby because I can buy one at a time with 40% off one item coupon. We often give a hangable item and include the product to hang it (like middle's painted letters, or a laminated poster, etc).
Tape
Duct tape now comes in fabulous designs. Regular scotch tape, double stick tape, packing tape, blue painter's tape. If you have an arty student or a student in a major (like education) they use a lot of supplies. Yes, middle has a Really Useful Box full of tape and glue.
Shower Bucket
The ones with the best handles and compartments seem to come with an unfortunate lack of drain holes in the bottom. If they are not brittle plastic (which you would not want anyway), we put masking tape on inside and outside and drill holes with power drill (using biggest bit we have). The tape is a woodworking trick that works on finished wood and apparently plastic.
Oldest had a Dopp kit for under grad college. I think he kept all his things in it and probably just carried what he needed to bathroom - toothbrush with paste already on it, razor and cream (he does not use shaving cream, but face lotion). shampoo and bottle of face soap (has never used bar, uses same thing on body as face). He still has his Dopp kit for travel. My husband has always had one too.
Stool with storage
Middle's came from Target when they put their college stuff on clearance. I think it might have been as low as $8. As you can see, she uses it for DVD storage. This is something she will love in an apartment or house.
The main reason she bought this (on sale) was for extra seating and so short people could get to her lofted extra bed. She jumps to the lofts, but most people can't do that. . .
She has a TV at school with a DVD player built in to it (helps with space). She has movie nights A LOT with friends. Or puts on a movie, she has already seen, for background noise when she is working on a project. She can get the campus TV stations, but then she is stuck with their schedule and commercials. She can get Netflix on her laptop, but then she can't use the laptop for other things. So, the TV has been used a lot. We did not buy it, we happened to have it. It is the kind of thing one now finds in closets or on garage sales as people move to flat screens.
Oldest had a flat screen at under grad and also now at grad school for gaming. So, an old TV would not be something he would ever want.
T-Shirt fabric sheet sets
All three of my kids prefer these soft sheets, so yes, oldest used these too. Remember if you are buying for college dorm beds, need XL twin size. I buy these at Target when they close out college stuff in fall. This size works well on the girls' pillow top regular twins at home too. The extra length compensates for the pillow top's thickness.
Quick dry bath towels
I am not sure how they are made. But they do dry more quickly. Good for both girls and guys. I buy these at Target too. If you remember, I buy sheet sets and towels in the same color families so they can all go in the same load of laundry at school. When I give these as gifts, I do 2 bath, 2 hand, 4 wash.
Body pillow
Middle uses her extra bed like a couch. I bought a cute but very, thick, sturdy body pillow cover at Target. I put TWO body pillows in it (back to back) so it is very firm. One body pillow is not firm at all. Yes, it took my husband and I both to sort of wrestle two pillows in one cover, sturdy and straight, but we managed.
Big Joe Roma Chair
Yes, some kids haul couches and futons and all kinds of stuff in very small dorm rooms. This chair worked well for middle, but we did have to add pellets half way through the year. This chair works against wall or in middle of a room. It has a back to it, so is MUCH. Better than a traditional bean bag, in my opinion. It also made a great cradle when middle was sitting with her friends' baby. He was comfy and could not fall. We ordered from Walmart, because I added a couple sale packages of zip lock bags to the order and the whole thing qualified for free shipping (and it was a very big box).
Step Stool
To be honest, we are the house of step stools for three reasons.
1. We have very high ceilings and shelves/cupboards go all the way to ceiling in every room.
2. Youngest is 5' even.
3. I broke my foot stepping up on a folding chair, so we use stools.
Dorm rooms often have tall ceilings and storage up high. Middle has a folding, two step, step stool in her college dorm room. It fits between the trash can and the wall and is both out of way and easily accessible. She has same stool in her closet at home. So do I. We have small stools in bathrooms. We have a large sturdy stool in kitchen pantry. Youngest's closet was designed got her, so things are lower, but she still has a one step stool in there for ease of use. She may well go to college with a three step stool depending on set up of dorm storage.
Microwaveable clear glass dishes with lids
I like the clear glass, NOT made in China. I do not like plastic in microwave nor for (wet) food storage. I buy Anchor Hocking. (And one other company I can't remember) made in USA.
I LOVE THESE LIDS. COMES IN RED AND NAVY -
HATE THIS GREEN LID TYPE -
Dorm Pillows
All three of my kids have these at home. Oldest and middle also use at college. I gave these to my niece and nephew one year for xmas and they love them. In order to be useful, these have to be VERY DENSE. For years I bought them on clearance at JC Penney's. I gave many as graduation gifts. I have not been able to find them at Penney's for the last year or two. And I have not been able to find dense ones anywhere. Do not buy them if they are at all soft.
Lap Top Desks
The kids (including oldest) all have these and love them. I have been giving these as graduation gifts recently. Be sure to get the one with the cushion on the bottom.
GAMES
The pictures from below are from oldest and middle's collection. The ones on the striped rug are middle. The last picture is oldest. They play games with friends at their respective colleges. They played in high school too.
Thursday, January 16, 2014
More college prep
I probably wrote this long ago.
When oldest was 3-4, we shopped high schools.
Literally.
We went to school fairs. We went on high school tours (with a 3-4 year old). (Oldest wasn't helping us choose, he was just along for the ride.)
When we decided on the right high school, we worked backwards thru the feeder schools.
So we picked kindergarten based on the right high school.
For us, that turned out to be Catholic/Private school system.
Oldest ended up also going to a Catholic under graduate college. Youngest probably will too.
Oldest's grad school (5 year doctorate program) is public. Middle's undergrad is public too.
Even though our kids were/are all in private high school, where almost all the kids go on to some level of higher education, the guidance department is not independently proactive when it comes to college, in my opinion.
The families need to take action, show interest, make college visits, plan themselves. The guidance department does not get the kids into college. The parents/student get the child in college.
Colleges visit our high school on a regular basis. A service comes in and is available to give families an idea of what level of college financing might be available (based on income/circumstances). Guidance is very good with meeting with the kids each year for high school class planning.
But they do not look at every single high school class a student should take.
So things like oldest's need to take high school calculus to make it through college calculus does not happen through guidance. It happens through the parents/student.
Another class similar to the calculus situation is anatomy/physiology. If a kid thinks they are possibly going into any form of health in college, they need to take anatomy/ physiology in high school. Some college programs use anatomy/physiology as their weed-out class. Kids are required to take it first semester freshman year, one chance to pass, must pass with a high grade, will flunk out of the entire program based on that one class.
Youngest and I had a very good college admission meeting yesterday. Very good.
This is the same school where middle and oldest took college classes while in high school.
Youngest is a sophomore in high school. She is planning classes for junior and senior year right now. She will also take college classes senior year. She wants to pick college classes that will count for high school and also for her four year college in the future. In order to have all that work, yes, have to figure it out sophomore year.
The college advisor yesterday made me realize that much of what we expect from high school guidance actually is available in the college admissions offices.
Yesterday's darling woman took the time to talk to youngest about the three colleges youngest is considering at this point.
The darling woman showed youngest where/how to find the course requirements at all three schools online and suggested youngest figure out 4-6 classes common to all three schools.
(All of these lists were specifically talking about freshman year for computer science majors, for youngest. The lists were very different.)
In other words, she taught youngest how to think about it.
Then (as the next step) she suggested that we talk to each of the three schools to see if credits transfer between the local school and their school. She said that the registrar is often the right department for those questions or the specific department (if the child knows their major).
For one college (this will be the one I will refer to for the rest of this post) the woman had printed out all the information to show youngest the level of math and science required in this field.
It was a major list. That did not intimidate youngest. Youngest thought two things - she was excited to see many of the classes listed and she realized she was going to pass her doctorate bound brother in level of math classes. We do not have sibling rivalry, but we do have healthily competitive kids. GPA comparisons are common between youngest and oldest (who are 8 years apart).
In looking at this list, yesterday, we realized youngest needs to take physics in high school. It was worth the appointment just to hear that one word - physics - because we might have missed it.
Only three science classes are required for high school graduation - biology and chemistry and one elective.
Youngest took honors biology her freshman year, is in honors chemistry now, is planning to take AP Chemistry (advanced placement) as a junior. We were thinking that was all the science she needed. Wrong.
She is now picking up a fourth science class senior year, one credit above what she needs, because she will be taking a lot of physics if she is in computer science at that one college she is considering.
Discrete math was also on the list for that same college. Middle and oldest both took discrete in high school. Youngest would have to drop calculus to take discrete. Oldest said she would be able to handle a college level discrete class without discrete in high school. That it was more important to take two years of high school calculus (she will have three levels of college calculus at this same college).
So yes, great meeting yesterday. The local college admissions woman knew youngest would be at her school for four classes and then moving on to a four year college. She talked to youngest about how to make sure youngest was taking what she needed in high school to prepare for college. How to take the right four classes at the local college. And how to ask the right questions at future colleges.
What I realized in all these high school/college discussions this week at our house and at the meeting yesterday is the information we (as parents) desire from the high school guidance offices is available from the college admissions offices. But one has to be talking to the colleges by sophomore (high school) year in order to implement the information.
If you are new to reading me, by the end of the summer after youngest's freshman year, she had done six college visits. Of those six, she had a real interest in three. Those six were carefully chosen. It does not surprise me that she would love the three she loved.
We are going back to one of the three (the one with the specific class list I referenced above) over youngest's spring break. We are going back to the other two (they are fairly close to each other) first thing this summer. At all three college (2nd) visits we are meeting with computer science people (we did general tours the first time). We are looking at class requirements. That will give us enough time to change her high school classes for junior and senior year.
She is pretty sure she wants to be in math/science field, but not anything in the health care field at this point. Probably in computer sciences. She was considering law at one point, but has now dropped that thought.
When I call to schedule visits, yes, sometimes I get a slight "she is too young" reaction. Not always, but sometimes. I explain, very simply why she is not too young. I firmly believe initial visits need to be done by sophomore year to be sure they are taking the right classes junior and senior year.
When oldest was 3-4, we shopped high schools.
Literally.
We went to school fairs. We went on high school tours (with a 3-4 year old). (Oldest wasn't helping us choose, he was just along for the ride.)
When we decided on the right high school, we worked backwards thru the feeder schools.
So we picked kindergarten based on the right high school.
For us, that turned out to be Catholic/Private school system.
Oldest ended up also going to a Catholic under graduate college. Youngest probably will too.
Oldest's grad school (5 year doctorate program) is public. Middle's undergrad is public too.
Even though our kids were/are all in private high school, where almost all the kids go on to some level of higher education, the guidance department is not independently proactive when it comes to college, in my opinion.
The families need to take action, show interest, make college visits, plan themselves. The guidance department does not get the kids into college. The parents/student get the child in college.
Colleges visit our high school on a regular basis. A service comes in and is available to give families an idea of what level of college financing might be available (based on income/circumstances). Guidance is very good with meeting with the kids each year for high school class planning.
But they do not look at every single high school class a student should take.
So things like oldest's need to take high school calculus to make it through college calculus does not happen through guidance. It happens through the parents/student.
Another class similar to the calculus situation is anatomy/physiology. If a kid thinks they are possibly going into any form of health in college, they need to take anatomy/ physiology in high school. Some college programs use anatomy/physiology as their weed-out class. Kids are required to take it first semester freshman year, one chance to pass, must pass with a high grade, will flunk out of the entire program based on that one class.
Youngest and I had a very good college admission meeting yesterday. Very good.
This is the same school where middle and oldest took college classes while in high school.
Youngest is a sophomore in high school. She is planning classes for junior and senior year right now. She will also take college classes senior year. She wants to pick college classes that will count for high school and also for her four year college in the future. In order to have all that work, yes, have to figure it out sophomore year.
The college advisor yesterday made me realize that much of what we expect from high school guidance actually is available in the college admissions offices.
Yesterday's darling woman took the time to talk to youngest about the three colleges youngest is considering at this point.
The darling woman showed youngest where/how to find the course requirements at all three schools online and suggested youngest figure out 4-6 classes common to all three schools.
(All of these lists were specifically talking about freshman year for computer science majors, for youngest. The lists were very different.)
In other words, she taught youngest how to think about it.
Then (as the next step) she suggested that we talk to each of the three schools to see if credits transfer between the local school and their school. She said that the registrar is often the right department for those questions or the specific department (if the child knows their major).
For one college (this will be the one I will refer to for the rest of this post) the woman had printed out all the information to show youngest the level of math and science required in this field.
It was a major list. That did not intimidate youngest. Youngest thought two things - she was excited to see many of the classes listed and she realized she was going to pass her doctorate bound brother in level of math classes. We do not have sibling rivalry, but we do have healthily competitive kids. GPA comparisons are common between youngest and oldest (who are 8 years apart).
In looking at this list, yesterday, we realized youngest needs to take physics in high school. It was worth the appointment just to hear that one word - physics - because we might have missed it.
Only three science classes are required for high school graduation - biology and chemistry and one elective.
Youngest took honors biology her freshman year, is in honors chemistry now, is planning to take AP Chemistry (advanced placement) as a junior. We were thinking that was all the science she needed. Wrong.
She is now picking up a fourth science class senior year, one credit above what she needs, because she will be taking a lot of physics if she is in computer science at that one college she is considering.
Discrete math was also on the list for that same college. Middle and oldest both took discrete in high school. Youngest would have to drop calculus to take discrete. Oldest said she would be able to handle a college level discrete class without discrete in high school. That it was more important to take two years of high school calculus (she will have three levels of college calculus at this same college).
So yes, great meeting yesterday. The local college admissions woman knew youngest would be at her school for four classes and then moving on to a four year college. She talked to youngest about how to make sure youngest was taking what she needed in high school to prepare for college. How to take the right four classes at the local college. And how to ask the right questions at future colleges.
What I realized in all these high school/college discussions this week at our house and at the meeting yesterday is the information we (as parents) desire from the high school guidance offices is available from the college admissions offices. But one has to be talking to the colleges by sophomore (high school) year in order to implement the information.
If you are new to reading me, by the end of the summer after youngest's freshman year, she had done six college visits. Of those six, she had a real interest in three. Those six were carefully chosen. It does not surprise me that she would love the three she loved.
We are going back to one of the three (the one with the specific class list I referenced above) over youngest's spring break. We are going back to the other two (they are fairly close to each other) first thing this summer. At all three college (2nd) visits we are meeting with computer science people (we did general tours the first time). We are looking at class requirements. That will give us enough time to change her high school classes for junior and senior year.
She is pretty sure she wants to be in math/science field, but not anything in the health care field at this point. Probably in computer sciences. She was considering law at one point, but has now dropped that thought.
When I call to schedule visits, yes, sometimes I get a slight "she is too young" reaction. Not always, but sometimes. I explain, very simply why she is not too young. I firmly believe initial visits need to be done by sophomore year to be sure they are taking the right classes junior and senior year.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
College Prep
With each kid, we learn a little more.
We are on the third kid.
The year before middle started high school, the oldest sat down with her and mapped out classes for four years of high school. That class plan changed very little over her high school years. She also took one college class per semester her junior and senior high school years (at a local college). She knew where she was going to college and that she would be duel early childhood ed (ece) and early special ed (espce) major. So, we were able to coordinate between the two colleges to be sure the local college classes counted toward her long term college requirements.
Youngest is a sophomore. She and I sketched a four year plan for high school classes when she was in 8th grade. She made several adjustments to that plan last year, looking forward to her next three years. Earlier this week, we adjusted that plan again, looking to her junior and senior years. We also have a call into the same local college where middle and oldest took classes (while in high school) to talk about possible classes for her senior year. It looks as if she will be half days 3 classes at high school and 2-3 college classes each semester her senior year. The college classes count toward her high school credits, so planning is required to make sure all high school requirements are met.
We have learned to really plan ahead, looking at college as they are in high school.
An example of learning the hard way -
Oldest did not take calculus in high school and it bit him in the butt. It was difficult for him to do well jumping into required calculus class at the college level. He ended up using a tutor for the entire semester. He knew it was going to be tough, so he hired the tutor before the class even started. He also attended all study tables organized by the calculus class teaching assistant. He passed with an -A. He didn't retain much. But he passed with a good grade. The skills from calculus do not apply to his current doctorate work. So that class was simply all about doing what he had to do for his GPA.
Middle did not need calculus as ece/espce major.
Youngest might need calculus at college level. We don't know. We are prepping as if calc will be required at college. So we talked to the high school math department head (summer before her freshman year) to make sure of which math classes she needs each of the four years. Youngest rechecked with that same teacher (who she happens to have for honors adv algebra this year) to see which level of calculus she should take junior and senior year. If you have not been around high school in a while, there are several levels for many classes. So for example her teacher suggested pre-calculus/trig (honors) her junior year and then depending on how she does will determine what level (there are two levels of AP) of AP (advanced placement) calc/trig she takes her senior year. There is also a college level calc/trig available to her senior year, but we suspect that might be too stressful. We think it might be better to take two years of high school calc and then take it in college (if required).
When we looked at high school classes when youngest was in 8th grade, she was not sure what she might want to study in college. She also did not know what college she might attend. Now she thinks she is interested in some type of computer degree. And she probably will attend one of three catholic colleges. So we reworked her high school class plan to allow her to take computer classes offered there.
When we meet with the local college, we are asking what computer classes might be available there.
Oldest took English comp, business, psychology, and maybe a history class at college, two per semester, his senior year in high school, while going half days to high school. I think all these just counted toward his electives at college. He did not know his major in advance.
Middle took psychology, eng comp, speech, and one other class, one per semester, her junior and senior year in high school. She went to high school full time her junior year but had one study hall. She went half days her senior year. At the Christmas break her sophomore year in college, she was a junior (class credit wise). She takes 17-18 hours, easily, deans list each semester, at college.
Yes, college classes are offered at high school (now). But I think being in an actual college classroom, with a college professor, prepares the kids for college better than a college class at high school. It is just not the same.
Even if the college credits (earned while in high school) did not count toward their college (not all credits transfer to every college), the experience of doing the college level work is really valuable to their long term success.
Youngest has talked to oldest repeatedly about high school class choices, local college class choices, potential future (4 year) colleges.
My husband and I both went to college and each earned a BA. But we were not smart about it. We would have done many things differently if we had known. And this is not hindsight speaking. This is the fact that we did not have guidance at the time. We certainly did not have parents or older siblings planning with us. I have no older siblings. Husband has one of his three older sibs who actually could have been a mentor, but wasn't. All four parents were no help at all.
There are a lot of things we could have planned better for oldest, but for the first kid, we did not do too badly. He is in a doctorate program (and doing well, knock on wood) after all. But yes, we know and he knows there are smarter choices we could have made.
And as I said, even though he is far away on the east coast, he is very involved with the girls.
He was coordinating with middle's new car all fall. He told me she needed a Garmin and which one to get too (he was right, and actually I went and got it without arguing, I trust his judgement).
He is coordinating with high school/college planning with youngest all these four years too.
I think that is important for the girls (he is a wealth of information, if something happened to my husband and I, they would be used to counting on/coordinating with oldest already) and also important for his growth as a man (men should love, honor, serve the women in their lives).
We are on the third kid.
The year before middle started high school, the oldest sat down with her and mapped out classes for four years of high school. That class plan changed very little over her high school years. She also took one college class per semester her junior and senior high school years (at a local college). She knew where she was going to college and that she would be duel early childhood ed (ece) and early special ed (espce) major. So, we were able to coordinate between the two colleges to be sure the local college classes counted toward her long term college requirements.
Youngest is a sophomore. She and I sketched a four year plan for high school classes when she was in 8th grade. She made several adjustments to that plan last year, looking forward to her next three years. Earlier this week, we adjusted that plan again, looking to her junior and senior years. We also have a call into the same local college where middle and oldest took classes (while in high school) to talk about possible classes for her senior year. It looks as if she will be half days 3 classes at high school and 2-3 college classes each semester her senior year. The college classes count toward her high school credits, so planning is required to make sure all high school requirements are met.
We have learned to really plan ahead, looking at college as they are in high school.
An example of learning the hard way -
Oldest did not take calculus in high school and it bit him in the butt. It was difficult for him to do well jumping into required calculus class at the college level. He ended up using a tutor for the entire semester. He knew it was going to be tough, so he hired the tutor before the class even started. He also attended all study tables organized by the calculus class teaching assistant. He passed with an -A. He didn't retain much. But he passed with a good grade. The skills from calculus do not apply to his current doctorate work. So that class was simply all about doing what he had to do for his GPA.
Middle did not need calculus as ece/espce major.
Youngest might need calculus at college level. We don't know. We are prepping as if calc will be required at college. So we talked to the high school math department head (summer before her freshman year) to make sure of which math classes she needs each of the four years. Youngest rechecked with that same teacher (who she happens to have for honors adv algebra this year) to see which level of calculus she should take junior and senior year. If you have not been around high school in a while, there are several levels for many classes. So for example her teacher suggested pre-calculus/trig (honors) her junior year and then depending on how she does will determine what level (there are two levels of AP) of AP (advanced placement) calc/trig she takes her senior year. There is also a college level calc/trig available to her senior year, but we suspect that might be too stressful. We think it might be better to take two years of high school calc and then take it in college (if required).
When we looked at high school classes when youngest was in 8th grade, she was not sure what she might want to study in college. She also did not know what college she might attend. Now she thinks she is interested in some type of computer degree. And she probably will attend one of three catholic colleges. So we reworked her high school class plan to allow her to take computer classes offered there.
When we meet with the local college, we are asking what computer classes might be available there.
Oldest took English comp, business, psychology, and maybe a history class at college, two per semester, his senior year in high school, while going half days to high school. I think all these just counted toward his electives at college. He did not know his major in advance.
Middle took psychology, eng comp, speech, and one other class, one per semester, her junior and senior year in high school. She went to high school full time her junior year but had one study hall. She went half days her senior year. At the Christmas break her sophomore year in college, she was a junior (class credit wise). She takes 17-18 hours, easily, deans list each semester, at college.
Yes, college classes are offered at high school (now). But I think being in an actual college classroom, with a college professor, prepares the kids for college better than a college class at high school. It is just not the same.
Even if the college credits (earned while in high school) did not count toward their college (not all credits transfer to every college), the experience of doing the college level work is really valuable to their long term success.
Youngest has talked to oldest repeatedly about high school class choices, local college class choices, potential future (4 year) colleges.
My husband and I both went to college and each earned a BA. But we were not smart about it. We would have done many things differently if we had known. And this is not hindsight speaking. This is the fact that we did not have guidance at the time. We certainly did not have parents or older siblings planning with us. I have no older siblings. Husband has one of his three older sibs who actually could have been a mentor, but wasn't. All four parents were no help at all.
There are a lot of things we could have planned better for oldest, but for the first kid, we did not do too badly. He is in a doctorate program (and doing well, knock on wood) after all. But yes, we know and he knows there are smarter choices we could have made.
And as I said, even though he is far away on the east coast, he is very involved with the girls.
He was coordinating with middle's new car all fall. He told me she needed a Garmin and which one to get too (he was right, and actually I went and got it without arguing, I trust his judgement).
He is coordinating with high school/college planning with youngest all these four years too.
I think that is important for the girls (he is a wealth of information, if something happened to my husband and I, they would be used to counting on/coordinating with oldest already) and also important for his growth as a man (men should love, honor, serve the women in their lives).
Monday, August 19, 2013
Oldest's Desk and Chairs (east coast)
You might remember this chair -
Hard to believe I posted that poor of a picture once, let alone twice. . .
I bought that chair at a garage sale earlier this spring.
It fit in the backseat of my car and youngest and I took it to the oldest in June.
He is in a furnished apartment. He just signed the lease for his second year. While youngest and I were there, we sorted out what (of the furnished things) he did and did not use. His landlord came and picked up the rejects (bar stools for counter, small table and two very uncomfortable chairs, a room divider, baskets, pillows).
When all of that was cleared away, he still had couch and two end tables, chair and ottoman, coffee table, dresser, bed. And two small side tables that belong to oldest.
Last year he made do with the pedestal table that belonged with the two chairs as a desk. Not ideal.
With the extra room and the desk chair, we hunted for the most economical, but good, desk scenario for him.
Our first thought was Ikea. But there is not one near him. Shipping was $100. And everything he looked at would involve a truck for future moves (everything he owns still fits in his car, but he is up to two trips now, everything went in one trip when he moved east.)
After looking at all the online options, he ended up with two folding tables from Office Depot. They have free shipping on all orders over $50 (yes, even something as heavy as a table). And he ordered each separately, to be able to use two coupons.
One table is 29"H x 30"W x 60"D ($164.99).
The other is 29"H x 24"W x 48"D ($114.99)
Both of those prices are without discount and before tax.
I think I paid $40 for the good quality desk chair.
When we were considering options, I had him put his beach towels on the floor, measured out to the various sizes, to see how the tables fit.
These tables will last forever and can be used in a multitude of ways and are nice surfaces for writing.
My husband uses a set up similar to this in his home office.
My sewing machines (closet under the stairs) are set up on a little table just like this (want very small tables for sewing machines so the tables do not bounce as the machine runs).
Oldest said he noticed his productivity was easier as soon as he got these tables for, in essence, a clean work station in place.
Hard to believe I posted that poor of a picture once, let alone twice. . .
I bought that chair at a garage sale earlier this spring.
It fit in the backseat of my car and youngest and I took it to the oldest in June.
He is in a furnished apartment. He just signed the lease for his second year. While youngest and I were there, we sorted out what (of the furnished things) he did and did not use. His landlord came and picked up the rejects (bar stools for counter, small table and two very uncomfortable chairs, a room divider, baskets, pillows).
When all of that was cleared away, he still had couch and two end tables, chair and ottoman, coffee table, dresser, bed. And two small side tables that belong to oldest.
Last year he made do with the pedestal table that belonged with the two chairs as a desk. Not ideal.
With the extra room and the desk chair, we hunted for the most economical, but good, desk scenario for him.
Our first thought was Ikea. But there is not one near him. Shipping was $100. And everything he looked at would involve a truck for future moves (everything he owns still fits in his car, but he is up to two trips now, everything went in one trip when he moved east.)
After looking at all the online options, he ended up with two folding tables from Office Depot. They have free shipping on all orders over $50 (yes, even something as heavy as a table). And he ordered each separately, to be able to use two coupons.
One table is 29"H x 30"W x 60"D ($164.99).
The other is 29"H x 24"W x 48"D ($114.99)
Both of those prices are without discount and before tax.
I think I paid $40 for the good quality desk chair.
When we were considering options, I had him put his beach towels on the floor, measured out to the various sizes, to see how the tables fit.
These tables will last forever and can be used in a multitude of ways and are nice surfaces for writing.
My husband uses a set up similar to this in his home office.
My sewing machines (closet under the stairs) are set up on a little table just like this (want very small tables for sewing machines so the tables do not bounce as the machine runs).
Oldest said he noticed his productivity was easier as soon as he got these tables for, in essence, a clean work station in place.
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