Laundry is easy in college. When the drawers are empty, flip over the pile on the floor in the closet, and start over.
quote:Originally posted by BobbleheadDoll:
Cell phones are a must since the coaches use them to get in touch with players.
Unlimited text plans are a must!
Go with the VISA debit card, that way your son can make purchases w/o carrying cash or paying an ATM fee. A visa debit card is very convienent especially for dinner out, mail order etc (bats, gloves, cds...), if you don't want him to have convienent access to cash get him a regular debit card, however he will be calling you for your VISA card # at some point!
Meals plans can be tough to figure out until you're on campus. All I know is that the cafeterias on Saturday and Sunday opened and closed while my son was at the field so he couldin't use his plan on most weekends. He could never get a bag lunch etc because he had to be at the field before the cafeteria's opened
in theory the plan sounded good, in practice it didn't work very well on weekends.
Meals plans can be tough to figure out until you're on campus. All I know is that the cafeterias on Saturday and Sunday opened and closed while my son was at the field so he couldin't use his plan on most weekends. He could never get a bag lunch etc because he had to be at the field before the cafeteria's opened
in theory the plan sounded good, in practice it didn't work very well on weekends.
I recall that from other discussions as well, CP. Also consider the location of the caf with regard to his dorm. "Too far" by his standards can mean a lot of pizza delivery.
If you are going to have joint checking accounts so you can transfer dollars, sign up for online banking, you can check daily to see what he is spending and so can he, it is a great alternative to balancing the account by waiting for statements.
It shows every transaction daily.
Purchase some wrinkle spray. This stuff works great.
You just spray it on and the wrinkles magically disappear - that along with Fabreze,
I also remember that it was difficult to hit the Dinning Commons at times when the baseball schedule did not cooperate. Solution: they got some cheap plastic ware and zip lock bags. When they were at the DC they brought some food back to the dorm and stuck it in the fridge for later.
It shows every transaction daily.
Purchase some wrinkle spray. This stuff works great.
You just spray it on and the wrinkles magically disappear - that along with Fabreze,
I also remember that it was difficult to hit the Dinning Commons at times when the baseball schedule did not cooperate. Solution: they got some cheap plastic ware and zip lock bags. When they were at the DC they brought some food back to the dorm and stuck it in the fridge for later.
CollegeParent brings up a good point, however most large campuses have more than one dining hall. At sons school, relatively small campus compared to others I have seen, they had 3 dining halls, two of them not allowing unlimited visits per day.
You can make an adjustment to the meal plan when you pay your spring bill
. Every program does things differently, when son had a game that ended after the cafeteria closed, money was provided or pizza or sub. During season with travel money per diem, son actually visited the ATM less often. He'd use his debit card for meals and pocketed the cash. 
He actually thinks he made out better, but we know he didn't.
Second and third year of school son got a stipend living off campus. That was his cash budget for the semester, we paid for meals and apartment. Living off campus he didn't need the full mean plan, but placed him on a commuter plan.
But the very first semester anywhere is challenging, and there is no time to cook, no matter where you live. My suggestion is to give him the best option to eat well, set goals and limits that you would allow him to eat out a few times a week. Mine actually loved the cafeteria, and took full advantage of everything offered. You can't function unless you eats healthy foods. Beleive it or not, that may or make a big difference in his development. You can cut down on other things, but never food, it's too important.
Some large programs have training tables. As a student athlete you eat in a seperate environment and food choices are better. At UF they label foods with colors so that you balance your meals everyday. No wonder they win national championships.
A part of your son's HC job, IMO, is to make sure his players eat. That was one thing that impressed me with coach's son. On the road it was mandatory to get up for breakfast, since many players pocket their money, he told parents that the least he could do was make sure they got one meal a day that he witnessed. Away week night games they got food after a game as they loaded the bus (not gourmet but something to fill the stomach) and on the road stops were made to eat.
You can make an adjustment to the meal plan when you pay your spring bill
. Every program does things differently, when son had a game that ended after the cafeteria closed, money was provided or pizza or sub. During season with travel money per diem, son actually visited the ATM less often. He'd use his debit card for meals and pocketed the cash. He actually thinks he made out better, but we know he didn't. Second and third year of school son got a stipend living off campus. That was his cash budget for the semester, we paid for meals and apartment. Living off campus he didn't need the full mean plan, but placed him on a commuter plan.
But the very first semester anywhere is challenging, and there is no time to cook, no matter where you live. My suggestion is to give him the best option to eat well, set goals and limits that you would allow him to eat out a few times a week. Mine actually loved the cafeteria, and took full advantage of everything offered. You can't function unless you eats healthy foods. Beleive it or not, that may or make a big difference in his development. You can cut down on other things, but never food, it's too important.
Some large programs have training tables. As a student athlete you eat in a seperate environment and food choices are better. At UF they label foods with colors so that you balance your meals everyday. No wonder they win national championships.
A part of your son's HC job, IMO, is to make sure his players eat. That was one thing that impressed me with coach's son. On the road it was mandatory to get up for breakfast, since many players pocket their money, he told parents that the least he could do was make sure they got one meal a day that he witnessed. Away week night games they got food after a game as they loaded the bus (not gourmet but something to fill the stomach) and on the road stops were made to eat.
I thought they won championships because their shoes are labeled L and R.quote:Originally posted by TPM:
At UF they label foods with colors so that you balance your meals everyday. No wonder they win national championships.
Thanks Baseballmom!
I found some today at Bed, Bath, and Beyond!
What a neat store!
I found some today at Bed, Bath, and Beyond!
What a neat store!
quote:Originally posted by RJM:I thought they won championships because their shoes are labeled L and R.quote:Originally posted by TPM:
At UF they label foods with colors so that you balance your meals everyday. No wonder they win national championships.
quote:Originally posted by baseballmom:
Everyone,
Remember to sign the HIPAA & FERPA forms!! These gives you legal acess to your son's medical history and grades while at college. You can download the forms from your son's schools, usually thru registrar. Keep a copy for your records, with both yours & students signatures & send the other copy to school.
Actually, your son has to remember to sign these forms, not the parent.
Nitric...correct...Student signs these releases, giving YOU, the parent the "right" to access his info.
I told my daughter signing these releases gives her the right for me to pay the part of college not included in her scholarships.quote:Originally posted by baseballmom:
Nitric...correct...Student signs these releases, giving YOU, the parent the "right" to access his info.
I was very fortunate for the amount of money my daughter received for college. Until the money was official I took her out to the driveway and told her to look at my new Ferrari. She asked, "What Ferrari?" I told her the one that would be sitting there if I didn't have to pay for college.
Add: Before any asks if I got the Ferrari with the money I didn't have to spend on college, I waited for the other shoe to drop. It did this summer. "Dad, I want to go to law school."
quote:Originally posted by jerseydad:
Okay, we are sending our first born off to school in a couple weeks. For those of you that have gone through this before... any tips, tricks or other advice you can give us to help get the kid set up.
Lot of discussion in our house on these topics:
*Which meal plan he should take. (assume take fewer meals during baseball season)
*XBox, no XBox. (I am sure you can guess what son's vote is
*Buy or rent the refrigerator/microwave (probably be in off campus housing next year).
*What is the best way to provide spending money(debit card, ATM card, school flex plan card, other)
You get the idea. Any sage advice is appreciated.
Wow, thanks to all that took the time to share with the newbies as to how to prepare to send our kids off to college. For the last few days every time I came home from work my wife and I would compare notes from your commentary... did you think of what xyz said about ...
So here's how we are moving forward (unless it changes again)
*Meal plan - We went with lower one, however loading up flex card so he can use to purchase meals if he goes over weekly allowance
*XBox - on it's way to Chapel Hill... hopefully it will help keep his visits to Franklin Street to a minimum!
*Refrigerator/microwave - rented an all in one unit from the college - main reason... dad doesn't want to drag it up 3 flights of stairs. (school delivers refrigerator to room)
*Money source- Joint debit card and College flex card.
One thing we added to our list - box of tissues. Not for Jerseyson, this ones for Jerseymom (and dad) for the long trip home after leaving our first born to start his adult life.
Good luck to all going off to school, enjoy the ride!
When my son went the football team was enlisted to move all the freshmen in. They wouldn't let us touch a thing. It was actually very nice with students bending over backwards to help with everything.
quote:Good luck to all going off to school, enjoy the ride!
I'd like to second that jerseydad!!!
Do well. Work hard. Be safe. Have a stinkin blast!!!
Son beginning his third year.
-We had to order extra long full sheets from Penney's.
-Extra box of contact lenses ordered and ready next week.
-A large under-the-bed tub for storage.
-Tension rod for curtains because you can't poke holes in wall. He likes his room dark at night.
-Small medicine box with aspirin, stomach meds, bandaids, etc.
- Washing detergent, toiletries in a plastic tub
- a few dishes for those microwave meals at midnight
- at his new college, they have "Jacksbucks" so their ID card acts as a credit card all over campus and at many participating community businesses, including gas stations. We load up his card through the internet and with his unrestricted meal plan, he's good to go. And, his ID card to outsiders looks just like that - and not a credit card t be stolen. I thought that was pretty cool.
- We have always done the parent reloadable Walmart card as well. Milk, cereal and gas are a lot cheaper there.
- Mine has always had the game console but he is more of a computer internet game freak. He'd rather play Tribes than go ANYWHERE!
-We had to order extra long full sheets from Penney's.
-Extra box of contact lenses ordered and ready next week.
-A large under-the-bed tub for storage.
-Tension rod for curtains because you can't poke holes in wall. He likes his room dark at night.
-Small medicine box with aspirin, stomach meds, bandaids, etc.
- Washing detergent, toiletries in a plastic tub
- a few dishes for those microwave meals at midnight
- at his new college, they have "Jacksbucks" so their ID card acts as a credit card all over campus and at many participating community businesses, including gas stations. We load up his card through the internet and with his unrestricted meal plan, he's good to go. And, his ID card to outsiders looks just like that - and not a credit card t be stolen. I thought that was pretty cool.
- We have always done the parent reloadable Walmart card as well. Milk, cereal and gas are a lot cheaper there.
- Mine has always had the game console but he is more of a computer internet game freak. He'd rather play Tribes than go ANYWHERE!
.
Saw this in the paper today...
"Design your dream dorm room"...
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/08/09/HODM120SV2.DTL
44
.
Saw this in the paper today...
"Design your dream dorm room"...
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/08/09/HODM120SV2.DTL
44.
I would like just to say "THANKS" to everyone and their great suggestions in this forum.
I was pretty lost at what to send with him and this
have given me great ideas on what to do and what NOT to do.
Thanks and keep it coming!!
I was pretty lost at what to send with him and this
have given me great ideas on what to do and what NOT to do.
Thanks and keep it coming!!
a suggestion for moms...resist the temptation to organize or decorate your son's dorm room. It's great for girls but on move in day if a mom is there setting up her son's dorm room, he may never hear the end of it from the guys on the team. Usually upper classmen are there to help unload your vehicle, get the guys set up and acquainted.
Feel free to provide him with the materials and discuss with him ahead of time how to use them, so he can do it himself.
Of course a little help if asked by your son can sure make you feel good.
Feel free to provide him with the materials and discuss with him ahead of time how to use them, so he can do it himself.
Of course a little help if asked by your son can sure make you feel good.
I saw lots of moms (and dads) last year helping their freshman sons get setup in their rooms - probably different at each school. I was not there long - tried hard not too embarress him.
Lots of people come from long distances and have to buy items once you get to school.
Lots of people come from long distances and have to buy items once you get to school.
quote:a suggestion for moms...resist the temptation to organize or decorate your son's dorm room.
So true....at son's college orientation in June, IKEA did a one-hour presentation with all sorts of ideas for decorating a dorm room. The representative even decorated a dorm room so all the students could get a vision of what she was talking about. The girls all excitedly went "ooh" and "ahh," while my son expressed ZERO interest in seeing the room. I asked him today what he wanted to decorate his room like and all he could come up with was a full-size Texas flag for the wall (I'm sure his Colorado roommate will love that!
) and a Texas Trophy Hunters trash can. Definitely different items than what his mother would have chosen!
quote:Originally posted by jerseydad:quote:Originally posted by jerseydad:
Okay, we are sending our first born off to school in a couple weeks. For those of you that have gone through this before... any tips, tricks or other advice you can give us to help get the kid set up.
Lot of discussion in our house on these topics:
*Which meal plan he should take. (assume take fewer meals during baseball season)
*XBox, no XBox. (I am sure you can guess what son's vote is
*Buy or rent the refrigerator/microwave (probably be in off campus housing next year).
*What is the best way to provide spending money(debit card, ATM card, school flex plan card, other)
You get the idea. Any sage advice is appreciated.
Wow, thanks to all that took the time to share with the newbies as to how to prepare to send our kids off to college. For the last few days every time I came home from work my wife and I would compare notes from your commentary... did you think of what xyz said about ...
So here's how we are moving forward (unless it changes again)
*Meal plan - We went with lower one, however loading up flex card so he can use to purchase meals if he goes over weekly allowance
*XBox - on it's way to Chapel Hill... hopefully it will help keep his visits to Franklin Street to a minimum!
*Refrigerator/microwave - rented an all in one unit from the college - main reason... dad doesn't want to drag it up 3 flights of stairs. (school delivers refrigerator to room)
*Money source- Joint debit card and College flex card.
One thing we added to our list - box of tissues. Not for Jerseyson, this ones for Jerseymom (and dad) for the long trip home after leaving our first born to start his adult life.
Good luck to all going off to school, enjoy the ride!
Nevermind.
Best wishes, Q and jerseydad.
YOWZA!!!!
Whoooo HOOOOO!!!
HUGE ( make that double huge ) CONGRATS!!!!!!
( Does this mean he gets to take the XBox? tee-hee )
Whoooo HOOOOO!!!
HUGE ( make that double huge ) CONGRATS!!!!!!
( Does this mean he gets to take the XBox? tee-hee )
quote:Originally posted by infidel_08:quote:Originally posted by jerseydad:quote:Originally posted by jerseydad:
Okay, we are sending our first born off to school in a couple weeks. For those of you that have gone through this before... any tips, tricks or other advice you can give us to help get the kid set up.
Lot of discussion in our house on these topics:
*Which meal plan he should take. (assume take fewer meals during baseball season)
*XBox, no XBox. (I am sure you can guess what son's vote is
*Buy or rent the refrigerator/microwave (probably be in off campus housing next year).
*What is the best way to provide spending money(debit card, ATM card, school flex plan card, other)
You get the idea. Any sage advice is appreciated.
Wow, thanks to all that took the time to share with the newbies as to how to prepare to send our kids off to college. For the last few days every time I came home from work my wife and I would compare notes from your commentary... did you think of what xyz said about ...
So here's how we are moving forward (unless it changes again)
*Meal plan - We went with lower one, however loading up flex card so he can use to purchase meals if he goes over weekly allowance
*XBox - on it's way to Chapel Hill... hopefully it will help keep his visits to Franklin Street to a minimum!
*Refrigerator/microwave - rented an all in one unit from the college - main reason... dad doesn't want to drag it up 3 flights of stairs. (school delivers refrigerator to room)
*Money source- Joint debit card and College flex card.
One thing we added to our list - box of tissues. Not for Jerseyson, this ones for Jerseymom (and dad) for the long trip home after leaving our first born to start his adult life.
Good luck to all going off to school, enjoy the ride!
Nevermind.
Best wishes, Q and jerseydad.
DITTO!
Congratulations... of course, the list is still useful - you just take it a little further south... and don't bother with the dictionary...
...I dunno...he may need that ENGLISH-SPANISH dictionary.
milb players don't need all of that stuff. It's one suitcase, equipment bag with practice clothes, cleats, running and turf shoes, bats, gloves and your personal items (ipod, phone, computer). Your living arrangements are always considered temporary, travel light.
Now if you are living close to home, or mom and dad will bring your transportation, you may get lucky to get your own sheets and fav comforter, xbox, flat screen TV and a few more polo shirts.
Now if you are living close to home, or mom and dad will bring your transportation, you may get lucky to get your own sheets and fav comforter, xbox, flat screen TV and a few more polo shirts.
quote:he may need that ENGLISH-SPANISH dictionary
In Milb the most Spanish words used are NOT in the dictionary.
Ain't that the truth, Fungo...but he'll learn them soon enough.
Travel light. You never know where you'll be staying....or tomorrow!
Best of luck and enjoy every minute!
Travel light. You never know where you'll be staying....or tomorrow!
Best of luck and enjoy every minute!