The Milestones Just Keep Coming
February 04, 2013 |
| The University of Tampa |
I spent much of Saturday with my son attending the “Florida
Admitted Students Preview Day” at the University
of Tampa
The college visit brought back memories of my own college
days, four of the happiest years of my life. In college, I began to find out
who I really was, discovered I loved to travel, fell in love for the first
time, and met life-long friends (including my husband). Oh, yeah, I learned a
few things, too. If my son’s experience is like mine, it’s safe to say that the
child who enters will not be the same one who graduates.
Saturday, college officials start by separating parents and
kids—fitting because we will soon be separated most of the time (sniffle). I find
as I walk away from my son that I have confidence he is (mostly) ready for this
step, that he won’t be unduly overwhelmed or nervous, as I would have been at
his age. I have only mild feelings of nostalgia/angst—I’m mostly excited for
him to move into this new stage of his life.
I can picture him at this school. The smaller class size,
emphasis on experiential learning and more personal attention seem tailor-made
for him. Not to mention the abundance of food available at all hours on the
college’s meal plan. (Actually, I kind of want to go here.)
I jot plenty of notes while I listen to the director of
enrollment, the director of career services and the director of financial aid
(especially her!). I realize there’s a lot to do before he starts school,
whether it’s exploring scholarship possibilities, collecting items for his dorm
room or even registering for a class at the local community college to get a
head start on credits and the college experience.
As we drive home, I find it hard not to give him advice and
make suggestions about what classes and extra-curriculars he might like. Yes, I
know him pretty well, but now is not the time for unsolicited advice from Mom. To
quote the UT senior who spoke to the parents, “Parents should guide, but the
students should lead. This is our time.”
We’ve reached another milestone, another phase of the
process of letting go. One more finger of the hand holding Nick’s has been
loosened. I haven’t let go yet...no, not quite yet. But I have a feeling it won’t be long now.
6 comments
What an exciting time!
ReplyDeleteKathy M.
Gosh - your words bring me right back to that moment with each of my boys. Memories of my own past mixed with hopes for each of my sons.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on reaching this milestone and best wishes to your son on his exciting future!
Kathy--Yes, it's very exciting. Hopefully it will motivate our son to finish strong.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Claire. I know you understand having gone through it three times now. I only hope our son realizes his good fortune and opportunities and takes advantage of them.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a bittersweet time for you. I remember taking my son to college the first time, almost 13 years ago now. He was excited, but also sad to be leaving his girlfriend behind, and he'd stayed out late the night before, so he was really tired and probably more scared than he wanted to admit. It was really hard to leave him there, but we stayed over one night and he was already better the next day. And in the end, it all worked out great. I'm sure it will for your son too.
ReplyDeleteCheryl--Bittersweet is the perfect word. I'm so excited for him, but I know I'm going to be very emotional when he actually leaves. This is what we've been working towards, but that doesn't mean it won't be hard to let him go.
ReplyDelete