College Move-In Week Open Thread
Anyone moving their student - or themselves - in to their college living situation this week?
Son - 2023 UM Grad - is remaining in the same apartment as last year as he gets ready to start a one-year Masters in Information (data science) next week.
Daughter - 2026 UM Grad (g-d willing!) - moves in to her sorority on Friday as she gets ready for her sophomore year.
Quite a few of our friends are moving in their kids over the next few weeks...to Michigan, MSU, OSU, UCLA, Elon, Dartmouth, etc.
Any other new (or relatively new) empty-nesters out there? While we love our kids and enjoyed the combined 21 years with at least one of them under our roof, we are enjoying this new stage of life...and the day-to-day freedom that comes along with it! (My wife also just took on a new position with quite a bit of responsibility, so it's nice that she doesn't have to worry about not being attentive to our kids.)
Good luck to all of the students for a year filled with academic and personal success!
August 22nd, 2023 at 8:45 PM ^
My son starts his sophomore year in 5 weeks. He’s on trimesters, or do they call it quarters?
My nieces, all 3, move in to UofM this week for freshman, sophomore and senior years.
August 22nd, 2023 at 9:01 PM ^
For those who are new empty nesters, be grateful for as long as it lasts….sometimes they move back home after graduation and ruin all the fun.
August 23rd, 2023 at 7:53 AM ^
(shudders)
August 23rd, 2023 at 1:23 PM ^
Ours both seem to have launched successfully. Looking around at the other families in their cohort, we are in the minority.
August 22nd, 2023 at 9:10 PM ^
I'm headed to campus in 2 weeks to recruit Information / Data Science Masters, so tell your son to be on the lookout!
August 22nd, 2023 at 10:45 PM ^
Where/when? Are you comfortable sharing the name of your company?
August 22nd, 2023 at 9:46 PM ^
Moving my son into SVSU on Thursday....daughter is only starting HS so another 4 yrs to go
August 22nd, 2023 at 10:19 PM ^
Our two are beginning their junior year at Michigan. Our daughter was involved in Research over the summer - so, we moved her from a sorority at the end of winter term - into a house for the summer - and, now - into an apartment. Our son went from a fraternity to a house for this year (and - possibly next year too).
We drove from Chicago on Sunday - and moved them in - cleaned new places - etc- over the past couple of days. They seem to be set to enjoy the rest of Welcome Week.
For those moving into Michigan dorms this week - consider bringing a small cooler with plenty of cold water / ice. It’s going to be busy and hot - hydrating is a very good thing. Especially, if the move involves a dorm that doesn’t have AC in the rooms.
For the freshmen - first year in a dorm - you may want to buy a fan or two - at your local Meijer / Target - because the supply in A2 will dwindle quickly.
Oh - don’t forget - Angelo’s will be closing later this year - so, if you’d like to pay a last visit or two - get in line and enjoy a breakfast there. We did on Monday… it was fun.
August 22nd, 2023 at 11:21 PM ^
Regarding empty nester life… Get Michigan football season tickets. Tailgate as often as you’d like.
We live far enough away so - if we’re hosting a tailgate - it’s an entire weekend. And, we love the group that we tailgate with - it’s more fun than you can imagine. We’re especially fortunate - because both our kids are at Michigan - I’m an alum - my wife enjoys sports and will take every opportunity to see the kids.
Go Blue!
August 23rd, 2023 at 8:33 AM ^
Long-time empty nester here. My D and SIL live and work in Ann Arbor and both hate move-in week - makes getting around town very difficult.
S#1 is a professor at a small liberal arts school in Indiana. He hung around our house in GP until move-in at school was complete and then went back to his apartment. Classes start today.
August 23rd, 2023 at 8:43 AM ^
Moved my youngest son into Jones Hall at Ohio State this past Friday. For the first time in 36 years I now dont have a child under my roof I'm actively parenting so I'm now officially an empty nester.
Lots and lots of emotions that's for sure.
August 23rd, 2023 at 9:28 AM ^
36 years! You certainly have done more than your fair share of parenting. Are you suffering any PTSD from being surrounded by so much scarlett and gray?
August 23rd, 2023 at 11:29 AM ^
One would think that Maize & Blue in Columbus would near the equivalent of kryptonite these days.
August 23rd, 2023 at 1:24 PM ^
Just moved my oldest into his apartment at Georgia Tech. Fortunately, it is only 35 minutes from home, which we absolutely love as parents :)
Our youngest is now looking at colleges, and we're also hoping he stays in-state and close to home. The Georgia scholarship program (HOPE and Zell-Miller) really helps encourage that.
August 23rd, 2023 at 3:44 PM ^
I will be doing this next year for my daughter, at a university TBD. Then Ms-Dog and I will be empty nesters. Can't quite wrap my head around that just yet . . .
August 23rd, 2023 at 7:51 PM ^
My wife and I help(ed) move our now junior daughter in and out and/or across campus in August (wife) and May (me) for each of the last 3 years. Daughter does not drive and asks us to help out, and we are only too glad to do so, get time with her and be on campus in small college town Maine. I suspect that daughter may not be returning home after graduation, so any time together in her happy place is welcome.
August 23rd, 2023 at 9:12 PM ^
Just got back from dropping daughter off at Grand Valley State university. That was a very well run show. At no point have I seen anything close to that level of coordination/efficiency in Ann Arbor.
Great experience, except for the part where I LEFT MY DAUGHTER! I know, I know, circle of life...this was the plan... but still, it felt like the cold claws of Hell griping my heart.
August 24th, 2023 at 9:57 AM ^
If you’re moving a child into a Michigan school today… drink / bring plenty of water - be patient - stay as cool as you can - have fun with it - tell stories about your move-ins - be safe - and have fun.