Anonymous
Post 06/11/2023 23:00     Subject: Re:Thinking of bagging college for DD this year.
raptorsxyz wrote:I would totally do the gap year and apply to a program that sends you abroad if you have the $. If not, go on coolworks.com, which is a job board for workcations, and look for cool jobs that won't have insane hours (will probably need to get to interview stage to get a sense of this). I took both a gap year and did coolworks jobs and had amazing experiences and it really helped me when it was time to head to college. also you sound like a good mom and she like a smart kid


Thank you. I try to be a smart mom. Parenting is hard!
Anonymous
Post 06/11/2023 22:59     Subject: Re:Thinking of bagging college for DD this year.
Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the update, OP!

I know it sounds counterintuitive, but is she planning on getting a summer job? Sometimes having too much free time can be worse.

Also you might want to consider tuition insurance. If your daughter decides mid-semester to leave, the financial obligation won’t be as much of a factor.


Thank you all. I am the OP. Oh yes. She has a summer job. I agree she shouldn’t have too much free time. I need to keep her engaged.
raptorsxyz
Post 06/11/2023 17:10     Subject: Re:Thinking of bagging college for DD this year.
I would totally do the gap year and apply to a program that sends you abroad if you have the $. If not, go on coolworks.com, which is a job board for workcations, and look for cool jobs that won't have insane hours (will probably need to get to interview stage to get a sense of this). I took both a gap year and did coolworks jobs and had amazing experiences and it really helped me when it was time to head to college. also you sound like a good mom and she like a smart kid
Anonymous
Post 06/11/2023 08:20     Subject: Thinking of bagging college for DD this year.
Anonymous wrote:Treat the mental health condition first. Everything else will flow from that



Yes, I think the first step is to get her into therapy. She may need an anti-depressant...which may help her think more clearly about what she wants to do. Echo the answers above; not clear time off will just solve the depression issue. (And starting applications all over again might seem equally overwhelming.)
Anonymous
Post 06/11/2023 07:31     Subject: Re:Thinking of bagging college for DD this year.
Thanks for the update, OP!

I know it sounds counterintuitive, but is she planning on getting a summer job? Sometimes having too much free time can be worse.

Also you might want to consider tuition insurance. If your daughter decides mid-semester to leave, the financial obligation won’t be as much of a factor.
Anonymous
Post 06/10/2023 23:17     Subject: Re:Thinking of bagging college for DD this year.
Anonymous wrote:Hi Folks. Thank you all again. I am the OP. Crazy but I think just a week out of and away from her stressful high school environment has done wonders for her. Graduation is this week.

We have been moving in a forward direction. I have been giving her small goals. I have been telling her to do two things from her college checklist daily. The list must have 35 things on it. (OOS public) so lots to do, fill out, upload etc. we have looked at the course descriptions and she is getting g excited about some of the classes.

I agree that abandoning ship and taking a gap year for her would cause a loss in momentum. Not good. She needs the stimulation of school/ socialization too much

Still scheduled with dr though.

Yes. Someone described this funk as sort of paralysis. I agree I think the kids are so wiped out after a gazillion AP classes and challenging colkege admission cycles. Very tough.


So glad to hear this. Thanks for the update. Sounds like you have a good plan with talking to someone as well. All the best to you and your DD.
Anonymous
Post 06/10/2023 17:12     Subject: Thinking of bagging college for DD this year.
Anonymous wrote:It's called a gap year and is very common, but the you have to apply for it and the school has to OK it.


This is how it could be done. Only you know if it is a good idea. A big issue with taking a gap year is that it pushes graduation back a year, so when friends are done with ugrad, she still will have 1 year more of school (which also can cause depression).
Anonymous
Post 06/10/2023 10:22     Subject: Thinking of bagging college for DD this year.
I was kind of like this, too. It was separation anxiety for the most part. Freshman year was kind of tough at times, but it all ended up working out just fine.