College Prep and The College Trip

So she didn't like Georgetown. We got to walk around this pretty campus.

Next week, my husband,, youngest daughter and I are embarking on what I hope is our last college touring trip.

Don’t get me wrong, going to visit colleges can be a lot of fun. We have done it multiple times with both of our older girls, and you would think the youngest had seen enough schools that she wouldn’t need to go to anymore.

But she is looking at some different colleges, and we don’t want to deny her the opportunity to explore some of the same places with a fresh eye. She is going into her senior year of high school, and did well enough on her standardized tests that those at least are off her plate.

KapMap

My very organized oddest daughter created a spread sheet, with dates of upcoming standardized tests, and deadlines, but you can also download the very useful KapMap, which gives yo a month by month planing guide, form freshman through senior year of high school.

We looked at Hamilton College in winter since you need to love snow to go here.

Don’t stress if your kid is already past the first or second year of high school; though you may have missed some critical planning, you can double up and get back on track pretty quickly.

Some of the KapMap suggested guidelines include building a strong resume, with quality extra curricular activities and good grades, things that most parents of college bound students are already thinking about once their kid starts college.

What We Learned

One of the most important things we learned about the college process, having been through it with two kids (and ourselves, a hundred years ago) is that it really has to be all about the kid. Maybe you think the dorms look grotty - keep that to yourself. Unless your daughter solicits your opinion, don't say a word.

We have also learned to listen, but not speak during info sessions and college tours, unless the school encourages parents and kids to take separate tours. I actually love this - then we can ask the adult about safety, drinking parties and the food pyramid and not have our children give us the hairy eyeball.

Make it a Vacation

Don’t despair if you kid hates the college you are visiting. Maybe you found a cool art museum nearby, or a craft brewer. You might discover a great little vegetarian restaurant.

Think of the college touring trip as an opportunity to explore different areas, like Middlebury, VT or Washington, DC. Have fun with it.

Just be careful about how successful you want the college process to be. After all the testing, the applications, the tours, you face a new challenge - cramming in trips for all the admitted students days. 

And then you start paying tuition…

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks/Kaplan Test Prep. I received compensation to write this post, and any opinions expressed are my own, and reflect my actual experience.” 

Days Inn Oriskany: 1 day is plenty

When we planned to go to my oldest daughter's college graduation, we didn't think we needed to come 2 days early. But then she won some awards and the honors ceremony meant we needed to come a day early.

Unfortunately, all the good hotels were booked and we found ourselves at the Days Inn Oriskany. How bad could it be for one night?

Well, we had only 2 towels for 3 of us and no one answered at housekeeping.  The walls were paper thin, but the room next to us was under construction and looked forbiddingly like something from The Shining.

And when we tried to get breakfast at 7, there was no food. So we decided to exercise.

The fitness room had probably last been updated in the Eisenhower era. Broken TVs were piled in the corner, the cardio equipment was rickety and the iron barbells had prison weight room written all over them.

There were exactly 2 small towels and a decent amount of space so I ran my husband through boot camp drills. We used a weight bench and the barbells.

An house later, we checked on breakfast, which was being set up. Stale English muffins and coffee in Styrofoam. We waited for our youngest to wake up and went out for breakfast.

Fitness Challenge: Hamilton College

If you send your child to an elite college, he or she usually has access to great sports facilities. And when you drop off your kid, pick him up, or visit for family weekend, you can often work out in the fitness center. Hamilton College reminds many of a country club. The Blood Fitness and Dance Center features state of the art cardio equipment, overlooking the gorgeous athletic fields. There is a huge pool, ice skating rinks and a rock wall, so you can exercise different muscle groups every day.

There are also plenty of free weights, stability and bosu balls, and a large stretch area. Faculty and students use the facilities regularly, so you don't feel like an out of place old person.

The (almost) Empty Nest

My middle daughter left for college last week. Let me rephrase that. We took her to college. Back in the dark ages, parents (like my mother) happily dropped college-bound kids off at bus stations or airports, but in this day of helicopter parenting, the whole family comes to take a kid to college, often turning it into a mini family vacation.

When my first daughter went to college two years ago, everyone and his brother (including my older brother) told me about the cool Bed, Bath & Beyond college shopping experience. You choose everything at your local BB &B, then it’s waiting for you at the one near college.

But Hallie refused to participate. She wanted her stuff and she wanted it then. While we trolled the aisles, numerous sales associates approached us, to tell us about the college deal. Her age, the rabid look in her eyes and the false cheer I was holding on to (look, sweetie, only $39.99 for the body pillow) must have tipped them off. Hallie brushed off each salesman, assuring them that she wanted to take her stuff.

Then one guy tried a new approach. He could have our stuff delivered, free, in the five boroughs. Hallie, normally placid, snapped. “Stop trying to tell me how to shop,” she said.

We took our 5 overstuffed bags with us and couldn’t fit through the revolving-door turnstiles at the 16th St entrance to the F.

Sela loved the idea of shopping with the clicker at BB&B. her entire shop took 20 minutes – no debating over shades of towels or the look of her mattress pad. But it turns out that the pick up doesn’t go as smoothly. Your order is not put together until you arrive at the college-area BB &B, so we essentially shopped twice – we had to wait 45 minutes while the stuff was pulled.

And when you buy the stuff near college, you can’t wash it at home first.

So we’re learning. We’re also readjusting our buying habits with only one kid at home.

We also just discovered the Empty Nester, a cocktail that is perfect for using up leftover red wine.
1 ½ Parts Sauza Silver Tequila
½ Part Cabernet Sauvignon
½ Part Triple Sec
½ Part Agave Nectar
½ Part Fresh Lime juice

Pour all ingredients over ice in mixing glass. Shake and strain into a martini glass and garnish