Happy Rising Sophomore

[Anonymous]

Just wanted to share: last year, right before Freshman year, DS was so nervous and certain things would not go well at school, that he would have trouble making friends, doing well in classes. I feel really bad for him and he was fighting back some tears when we dropped him off. Then I cried when we drove away because it hurt that he was so anxious and said how home sick he was going to be. He was even saying things like he hated it the first week and wanted to transfer, which we all expected was just due to the big changes and all the newness and uncertainty, but it’s hard to tell. Some kids really do know right away that it’s not a good fit.

Fast forward and my rising sophomore is so happy, and so excited to go back to school and see his friends. He knows his way around campus, the surrounding neighborhood, he made some great friends, and he is so adjusted, calm, and positive now. There is zero angst about going back and only excitement.

I wanted to share in case anyone else has nervous kids getting ready to leave home for freshman year.

[Anonymous]

Kudos OP! Hope he has a great year!

[Anonymous]

Thank you for sharing! Mine will probably be like this, and I will feel bad even though I know that is how they are. LOL!!

Hearing this will help me when the time comes.

[Anonymous]

Thank you!!! From a parent of a rising freshman who has less than two weeks left and only recently started expressing some fears about it.

[Anonymous]

My DS is also really looking forward to going back for sophomore year. We’ve been talking about how stressful last summer was and how much better we all feel this summer. They grow up a lot freshman year and it’s really neat to see.

[Anonymous]

I have one happy and one very nervous. My DD had a terrible freshman year in many ways - nothing related to the school itself so not going to transfer. She confessed to me last week through tears that she was terrified to go back and have it all happen again. She has changed just about everything that went wrong, her major, her living situation, her health, her attitude…everything. Hopefully it will be a better year.

Good luck to everyone! May it be a great year!

[Anonymous]

Thank you for posting this. We're heading out tomorrow and mine is nervous and a little sad.

[Anonymous]

Kind and empathetic post—thanks OP!

[Anonymous]

My sophomore is a bit sad as well. She has a few close friends but a couple will be studying abroad next semester/year and she hasn't solidified a larger friend group, so she's worried about being lonely. She knows to involve herself in different clubs and student orgs but as an introvert, she's also worried about being drained from constant social interaction. She really enjoyed being home over the summer and working while coming home and cooking together as a family. We'll miss her too and we just hope that she finds her place at college and enjoys her time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for posting this. We're heading out tomorrow and mine is nervous and a little sad.

We leave Thursday. DS keeps going to room and shutting door. I know it is to cry because I can hear the sniffles. He is so sad and nervous and regretting picking a school so far away. But it a great school, he was lucky to get in, amazing merit package -- this all to say that it was a sound choice on paper. I hope DS has the experience of OPs DS but certainly I am losing sleep already.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for posting this. We're heading out tomorrow and mine is nervous and a little sad.

We leave Thursday. DS keeps going to room and shutting door. I know it is to cry because I can hear the sniffles. He is so sad and nervous and regretting picking a school so far away. But it a great school, he was lucky to get in, amazing merit package -- this all to say that it was a sound choice on paper. I hope DS has the experience of OPs DS but certainly I am losing sleep already.

It may be a bumpy ride for a few months but it will either work out, or he can transfer. It's a tough transition, my only advice is don't make it tougher by showing him how sad you are that he's leaving and that he's nervous. Pump him up, but don't baby him. He will rise to the occasion!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My sophomore is a bit sad as well. She has a few close friends but a couple will be studying abroad next semester/year and she hasn't solidified a larger friend group, so she's worried about being lonely. She knows to involve herself in different clubs and student orgs but as an introvert, she's also worried about being drained from constant social interaction. She really enjoyed being home over the summer and working while coming home and cooking together as a family. We'll miss her too and we just hope that she finds her place at college and enjoys her time.

Yeah my DD is very nervous about the social life because in a dorm it's easy, there was always someone on the hall to hang out with. She's in a two bedroom apartment this year with her best friend, but that is a much smaller "group" and she's worried she may get left out. She did join a sorority last spring so she just needs to immerse herself in that. I'm sure it will be a great year for her, but she has a love/hate relationship with the school so just needs to get back and get into it, and hopefully all will be better. The anticipation and waiting is what's killing her so she's going today even though classes don't start until next week. Her roomie arrives on Thursday so she's excited to help her move in etc.

It's a nerve wracking time for all, but it will be ok!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for posting this. We're heading out tomorrow and mine is nervous and a little sad.

We leave Thursday. DS keeps going to room and shutting door. I know it is to cry because I can hear the sniffles. He is so sad and nervous and regretting picking a school so far away. But it a great school, he was lucky to get in, amazing merit package -- this all to say that it was a sound choice on paper. I hope DS has the experience of OPs DS but certainly I am losing sleep already.

It may be a bumpy ride for a few months but it will either work out, or he can transfer. It's a tough transition, my only advice is don't make it tougher by showing him how sad you are that he's leaving and that he's nervous. Pump him up, but don't baby him. He will rise to the occasion!

Good advice, thanks.