Going to college question

14 years ago

This may be the dumb question of the day. Did your dd or ds use a bathrobe at college?

DS will be living in the university dorms and the bathrooms and showers are down the hall. I think he should take a robe but knowing him, he won't want to. Never used one, never had to. With all the kids walking the halls I would rather he wear a robe or something bigger than a towel at least. I'm sure this should be the least of my concerns but I want him to enjoy his stay in the dorms and I'm hoping we can get what he needs during the first week or so. He has quite a bit stacked in his room already. We're headed to Kansas City this weekend so it would be a good opportunity to get items we can't get around here. At least he could try on a robe for his momma! That might be like getting a cat to swim.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (29)

socks
14 years ago
No, Mom. Bathrobes are not cool. He'll go down to the bathrooms in flannel bottoms, sweats, a t-shirt or whatever. If he ever wants a bathrobe, he'll let you know. (Don't hold your breath.)

Even if there are girls on his floor, he'll be adequately covered.

Congratulations on your son going off to college. I know you are excited and remember those days fondly. Best wishes to all for a wonderful and successful college experience.

Susan
grammahony
14 years ago
Toni, send a beach towel with him. That will cover him well enough.
Leslie
Related Discussions
Going to college with Bonsai.
Q
Comments (6)
Hi, the problem is not going to be how cool it is inside (tho' AC is not good for plants in general), but what to do with it otherwise. It belongs outside for life, including long frozen winters, etc., and won't survive indoors for long anywhere. However, yours hasn't even sprouted yet (early spring would have been a better time so that it would have 'hardened' off by the fall), and if it sprouts, will not be ready for winter (outside) either. Unless it sprouts (and develops fast) almost right away (which might allow you to plant it in the ground in a mulched and wind-protected place), you might want to consider starting off next spring with an established 3-4 yr old nursery tree in a 1-gal. pot that you can work on and learn how to take care of, and that will have a much better chance at survival, though pines are not the best trees for beginners. Seeds are not always the best way to start learning about bonsai because they take years to get woody trunks or anything like the size you can work on... bonsai 'experts' usually let small ones grow in the ground for years to get fat trunks before working on them at all - and I'd suggest growing tropicals for keeping indoors, but a dorm is no place for anything but house plants at best. Sorry!
...See More
Another college question
Q
Comments (7)
Been down the road twice with our two sons. Older DS is now doing his teaching internship for his master's in education. Younger DS is a freshman in college (and yes, I miss them both a lot!) The search was interesting, and of course I had MY favorite choices. Older DS ended up at my favorite for him (and got a full-tuition scholarship) for his undergrad degree in music. It was the size of school he wanted (6000 kids) , in the Midwest as he wanted, and offered the high level of educational experience he desired, plus a great program for education majors. But it also meant meant we weren't able to make all his concerts (he is a violist) because the school is about 6.5 hours away by car, just over 4 by train. That distance was the real downside. Younger DS surprised us by putting that same school on his short list (because I kind of thought he might reject it since it was his brother's experience, and he always wants to be his own person). I was kind of hoping he would choose a different one, which was only about 2 hours from home - 4 years of the long drive or train ride and having to miss things was always in my head. He was awarded a presidential scholarship to that school, an amazing opportunity, and he had loved the place since we had looked at it 4 years earlier for older DS, and they have an outstanding history department (his major). I was stoked, because I was sure that would be his choice. And then, we made the" mistake" of making another visit to his brother's school, and giving him a chance to talk in depth with several people in his major, and in the master's in education program. He had already been awarded a full-tuition scholarship there. Well, as he told me later, up to that point he had been pretty well decided on the other school, but those final conversations made him realize that he would get an even better history education AND have the master's program, if he went to the same place older DS was going. And so he did, and he is happy with his choice. I guess my point in all this is that while distance is a downside, what matters most is that they are at the school that feels right, and offers them the best educational experience in their chosen field. Once they make their decision, the pressure is off. Just don't be surprised if they wait until close to the national decision date, and you get to worry about it for as long as possible !
...See More
Going to college for free (if you're the right age)
Q
Comments (10)
it NEVER to late to go back and reinvent yourself, well unless you're dead! several yrs ago, seems like many LOL, my dh decided to go back and get a different degree from puter science. he went into mechanical engineering, perfect for him, quit working in dec 2007, got his honors BS while working on a dual MS last Aug and has 4 classes now left on his MS and he is 40. i want to go back and try something new in biotech, when he is done. the way i look at it is, i expect to live to be atleast 80 in great health and another 10-20 yrs past that. i have worked all of my life to retire at 55 (i'm 43) but i can't see myself doing that now that is just over a decade away :-0 there is soooo much i still want to accomplish. i am also terrified of losing intelligence thru lack of use. each university runs the auditing programs differently. i used to teach for Indiana Univ and did not teach classses where anyone audited. i know Univ of Central FL (3rd largest univ in country) where my dh attends does not have many auditing classes (maybe at freshman level) and definitely not free, that's for sure. there are yr long waiting lists for many, many courses for full paying students, they would not allow a seat to be taken by auditing. BTW if you have not looked at textbook costs do that first if you plan on getting one. DH's textbooks ea semester cost more than the $4,500 tuition and he buys from asian printers and saves alot. ~ liz
...See More
Son Waiting a Year Before Going to College
Q
Comments (4)
Have discussions with him. Share about how you want him to take this opportunity to learn more about managing his own business. However, having said that - it's HIS life. It sounds to me like he's doing well working, being responsible, and he did well in school. In some countries, kids are encouraged to take a year off after high school to travel and see the world before they decide what they want to do with the rest of their life. Many, many kids go to college and waist money partying and not taking the opportunity seriously. I went for one year, quit for a year (over a boy - don't ask), then went back and got my degree. My brother didn't go to college after high school. He went to work, got married, had a couple kids, THEN went to college and became an electrician. He makes good money and takes good care of his family. University studies aren't for everyone. Actually you are forced to take many hours of general ed. classes that often don't even interest you. Believe me. It is hard to study for something that you don't even care about. The important thing is that he gets some kind of education or skill development after high school so that he is marketable and can find good employment and advance in his career. He can take classes later if needed or desired. Just keep the lines of communication open.
...See More
glenda_al
14 years ago
I agree, no robe! Won't be used!
Toni S
Original Author
14 years ago
I believe,,no,, I know your right.
I guess he'll be looking at sweats and flannel bottoms. Big towels too.
Thanks!

I'm sticking to my guns though when it comes to wearing flip flops to or in the shower.
socks
14 years ago
Hope you don't mind an additional 2 cents from me. Don't smother him with details. There's lots more important stuff than those flip flops. I would mention it once and let it go. Just my 2 cents.

Are they offering the meningitis shot at his school?

Also make sure he knows how to run the washer and dryer.
OklaMoni
14 years ago
Toni, showering without using flip flops is OK. :)

I do it on all my big bike trips, and haven't suffered any cause of it yet.

Moni
glenda_al
14 years ago
do make sure to ADD your list, that he has anti fungal cream A MUST FOR DORMITORY BATHING! AT MUST!
linda_in_iowa
14 years ago
I have never gotten athlete's foot from showering barefoot while camping. I can't wash the bottoms of my feet if I am wearing flip flops. The fewer suggestions to him, the better. Teens always think how could their parents know anything.
glenda_al
14 years ago
My problem was athletes feet. My first experience was from the showers. Yes indeedie, an unpleasant thing. I still get it once the swim teams start at my health club.

Again, a must. Athletes cream or spray
stephanie_in_ga
14 years ago
He'll do what he wants anyway. If he doesn't want them, the robe or the flip flops, don't bother. Personal decision. Wear a condom, yes, robe and flip flops optional. ;o) Sorry, just had to mess with you.
socks
14 years ago
Stephanie, you said it all. Pick your battles--you might win the flip flop battle and lose the condom battle because he's not listening any more!
Toni S
Original Author
14 years ago
Sounds like the voices of experience.

About the flip flops. He's going to own some, whether he uses them, who knows.

I've always been a prepared person, not someone who wonders around aimlessly wondering what needs to be done. Also living in an area where the closest metro shopping area is an hour and a half away, I tend to plan.. So shopping with him now is going toward the last times that I will have some input. He wants to do this together but he has the last say about what he wants in his dorm within the schools rules. Now he'll have to think about his room mates wishes .
drewsmaga
14 years ago
I had 4 go off to college & my advice re: bathrobe is "lighten up, Mom." Accept that when they go off to college, this is when you have given up the micro-managing your child's life and if he gets ahtlete's foot b/c he doesn't wear flip-flops, he'll just have to deal with it. My 4 are in their late 20's-30's and they all survived college without me hovering over them (and even WAAAY back then, robes were deemed ridiculous.) Let your little bird spread his wings and fly. You taught him what he needs to know to be a good person and robes/flip-flops are irrelevant now. He's off on a HUGE adventure & he needs you to be his sounding board in way bigger choices than a bathrobe. Let the small stuff go (even when you see how badly the dorm room has gotten trashed and you think he's gonna get some horrible disease from living there!) :-)
Toni S
Original Author
14 years ago
I guess it wasn't obvious that I came here first before I would mention it to DS. I'll talk to him about it Sat. If he want's a robe, we'll be in a great shopping area for one, otherwise I'm not pushing it. He might decide later, whatever. This is not that big a deal compared to condoms BUT I'm thinking that I'm not going to be THERE either. All I can do is hope he takes care of matters when there is a need too. That is something very personal for him. Don't tell me to have the "talk", he is way past that.

Sheets, flip flops and towels,,now that is something we can prepare together.

It's funny, my BIL, Mr. cool, # 1 in his class, frat guy...He said HE DID wear a robe in college, when I asked him if his kids who are in college, wore them. (he was the only one I asked personally because he was visiting) He didn't know about his own kids though.
jemdandy
14 years ago
You bet. We used robes back in the 1950's when I stayed in a dorm. It was a house rule. Co-ed dorms were not allowed at that point in history, however, at times there could be guests walking down the hall, a female guest, possibly someone's mother and maybe your mother or sister. A person of opposite sex was not likely to appear during mornings of regular class days, but weekends and special occasions could be embarassing.

The rule: Come out of the bathroom in a robe or fully clothed.
chisue
14 years ago
Fun to read this thread. I'm so old all the freshman dorms were single gender when I went to college. "Man on the floor," could be heard being passed along from floor lobby on down the halls whenever the maintenance man or any male was present. Gals would hustle into their rooms. Doors would slam. We weren't even 'indecent' by today's standards -- might be in PJ's or PJ's AND a robe. We were a lot more covered up than you'll see on any beach today.
sheilajoyce_gw
14 years ago
Buy him at least 2 weeks worth of socks and underwear. Doing just one person's laundry once a week, the machine not even half full, is a waste of time. And guys especially get this.

At my college, all the freshman boys wore pink underwear. The school colors were red and white, and the school sweatshirt was red. I used to sit in the laundromat and watch these guys pull their wet washing out of the washer to put in the dryer with an awed look on their faces. Everything was pink. They had just put everything into one machine, and that red sweatshirt did it every time. Teach him about sorting laundry.

If the dorm is not air conditioned, buy him a fan on this end of the trip. Fans don't exist in a college town by the time you get there.

Find out whose ATM is on campus. (I asked Admissions.) Get him a savings and checking account for that bank, order his checks, get his debit or ATM card ordered so he has it all by the time he leaves. It can take a few weeks.

The floors are filthy in a dorm, especially a co op dorm, and so I encouraged my kids to have flip flops to and from the shower. I know DD used them along with a terry robe, but can't say what my sons actually did.

If he will have friends visit him, be sure he has 2 towels. Make up a health kit of some cold medication you like, asperin, etc. Getting real sick can ruin the grades.
marry
14 years ago
More important is that he has gotten a meningitis shot before leaving for school and that he knows what the signs/symptoms are of alcohol poisoning!
Also make sure he has plenty of quarters!
kathyg_in_mi
14 years ago
Lots of good advice here. A fan is a necessity, first aid kit and various sundries. You may not have shopping near your home, but in a college town there are lots of stores. He will run out of $$ quickly. A bank that is local to the school (even better if there is a branch in your town so you can drop money in it) is the only way to go. ATM fees really add up if not using your own bank/credit union machines. Ask the school what ATM's are on campus. AND be sure to talk to him about those fees!
Mail him a "care package" either the day before he goes to school or the day after you drop him off. They really do get homesick, even if they don't admit it.
Gift cards to McDonald's and pizza places are useful too.
Kathy G in MI
coffeemom
14 years ago
What about one of those towels that fasten with velcro at your waist. It leaves your hands free to shlep shower stuff.
jannie
14 years ago
Either a bathrobe or flannel pajama bottoms would work, even in a coed dorm. When I was in college, in an all-girl dorm, I came back from dinner, showered and washed my hair and put on my PJ's. Spent the rest of the night in comfort in my room.
mary_c_gw
14 years ago
Girls sometimes used them in my DS's dorm, but mostly people of both genders wore PJ bottoms and T-shirts. My son would have laughed at the idea of a bathrobe, LOL - the closet was barely big enough to hold a week's worth of clothes! Flip-flops, maybe, if it is a floor-wide single bathroom.

Don't buy too much stuff - those rooms are tiny! Storing an extra set of sheets can be a problem. And do check the dorm regulations as to hanging things on the walls and what small appliances are allowed(usually none, though likely a small refrigerator and microwave are provided).
grinch_gut
14 years ago
No robe. I am so glad Sydneys dorms are not that way...they have 4 to a room with 2 bathrooms, kitchenette, livingroom and laundry room.....Stacy
joyfulguy
14 years ago
Until coffeemom spoke of the towel with velcro attached (and where have I heard about velcro lately around here?) ...

... I was going to recommend that he be careful not to sneeze while wearing the towel!

As for advice re the other stuff - I was in a Canadian Univ. and seminary (and resident in the seminary, with about half of residents theologs and about half of other schools) from '47 - '53 (with another shot in an Ivy League school in '57) ... so all that I'd have to offer would be ...

... well - you know!

And I was non-resident parent in the '80s when mine were in staid old Canadian univs.

Give your son our best wishes, please - and suggest that he keep his mind open and active in this wonderful world in which we live ...

... it's a poor day in which one doesn't learn something! (Hopefully more or less useful)

In what field of study is he currently interested?

ole joyful
angela59
14 years ago
Maybe it's because she's a girl, but my daughter (who will be a senior this year) wore a bathrobe. In fact she had a smaller one and asked for a bigger one for Christmas her freshman year. I'm assuming others probably wore them too and this was on an all girl floor.
susanjf_gw
14 years ago
no robes in this family of 4 grads (2 boys 2 girls) but they loved the pj bottoms, tank/sweat tops...
dances_in_garden
14 years ago
Can I scare you some more? Tee hee!

Since working in public social housing, I have started being a big advocate of innoculations for TB, Hepatitis, as well as for meningitis. He should also make sure he is up to date on ALL boosters....in Canada a few have been deemed not to be as effective as once thought and they are updating those. So check and make sure he doesn't need an unexpected update.

He should also get a flu shot when available, and the pneumonia shot if it is available over there. Why? Communal living increases risk of ALL communicable diseases. You don't have to be in a tropical country to get hepatitis....it is spread through body fluids like urine. Any idea how much PEE is on that bathroom floor? Ick. Daycare workers who change diapers get the shots here, to give you an idea of how easy it would be to contract it.

Better to be safe than sorry, get the shots then walk around in a towel. And flip flops ROFL!
susanjf_gw
14 years ago
toni..did a little search and here is a "list" of goodies, you might want to look over...a little over the top...btw, do have ds check with roommate(s)to see what they're bringing in the way of tv, fridge, fan, microwave..and see if they'll share...

and meal plan...since my one ds was 5 hours away, i took him to the local sam's club and let buy noodle cups, crackers, any non-perishable items to supplement 2 meal program, 5 days a week...

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/bts01_checklist.asp?order_num=-1
whidbeykathy
14 years ago
Stephanie, That was #1 on DH's list for our sons LOL! We knew that they were going to do what they wanted, so cut the list down to #1 " Wear one for your Mother" Worked well.. Kathy

Going to college question

Comments (29)

socks

grammahony

Related Discussions

glenda_al

Toni S
Original Author

socks

OklaMoni

glenda_al

linda_in_iowa

glenda_al

stephanie_in_ga

socks

Toni S
Original Author

drewsmaga

Toni S
Original Author

jemdandy

chisue

sheilajoyce_gw

marry

kathyg_in_mi

coffeemom

jannie

mary_c_gw

grinch_gut

joyfulguy

angela59

susanjf_gw

dances_in_garden

susanjf_gw

whidbeykathy

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Going to college question

Comments (29)

Related Discussions

Toni SOriginal Author

Toni SOriginal Author

Toni SOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Toni S
Original Author

Toni S
Original Author

Toni S
Original Author