The catalogs and post cards started arriving last year—this year, the packets have gotten a bit fatter and there are phone calls too. In fact, the other day a representative from one of the colleges that has made the final cut (for now) on my daughter’s list called just to let her know that they would be on her high school campus for a visit if she wanted to chat or had any questions. While I’ve hoped and anticipated that the day would finally come that college would be on the horizon, it is hard to believe that it is down to only a matter of months.
I think my daughter is a little surprised it is actually here too—she’s talking about possibly taking that “year off” or going to our local community college for a year as transition. I have to say that with all the talk she’s done all these years about how she couldn’t wait to head off to some place fabulous and warm and far away from home it is interesting to see her indulging her feelings of “I’m not sure I’m ready.” She’s worked so hard and she has always been pretty academically focused so I know she’ll do fine whatever she chooses. I think the odd thing for both of us is that it is coming upon the time for her to start choosing!
As many of you know by now, I am not the sort of person who wants to be overly involved or re-live my own life through my children so I am not at all confused—it really is HER choice. I can offer my opinion, but only when she asks for it and I’ve offered to help if she needs me—but again, she’ll have to ask for that help. My parents had absolutely nothing to do with my own college and life choices. I filled out every form and, in fact, paid for my first apartment, college tuition, etc. all myself—my folks were the “you’ve turned 18, it’s your life” sort of parents. While I don’t intend to be that hands-off—I am taking a back seat in the process. I just can’t believe that the time has actually come for her to start making those sorts of choices!
Also: Parents Roll in Choosing a College
Before Choosing a College Major