Drew has been counting down the days. He scrambled to get every form and paper where it belongs. He even endured getting a shot when in fact he had already had it but the paperwork did not support that. (He was none too happy with that piece). He contacted his roommate ahead of time and had all his ducks lined up. He even invited his roommate and his roommate's parents to dinner (at least he told me about it before they arrived!). They are a lovely family from New Jersey, nervous about their only son moving so far away from home. So much going in in preparation to the BIG DAY.
But here at last we have arrived at move-in day. Once again, I am impressed with RIT's process. They sent people in advance colored labels to put on their luggage and items. We are assigned a time to arrive, they have the student pick up their keys, then we drive to the circle in front of the dorms. There, we take everything out of the car and set it on the curb. Once the car is empty, I drive to the parking lot and take the shuttle back to the dorm while Drew and a ton of helpers carry all his belongings upstairs. He is completely moved in and less than an hour has gone by. Not bad. There are not really any long lines - just a short wait to get on the elevators. Still, considering they are moving 4000 freshmen in, it all went smoothly.
Drew is on the 8th floor of a 9 story dorm. His room is across the hall from the bathroom and right next to the stairs. It is beastly hot in the room, but he sets up his fans and soon it is bearable. Since we can't take the elevators down (reserved only for those bringing stuff up), we walk down the stairs and head to the shuttle in order to get to the field house where Drew collects a backpack full of swag and along the way signs up for things he is interested in like getting a parking sticker for my car so I can come on campus to pick him up. And turning in that health form proving he had the darn shot. He tells me he politely but in no uncertain terms registered his displeasure about the mix up. Meanwhile, they have a packet for the parents as well - complete with a calendar that tells me what is happening on campus when.
At this point I am exhausted and have to find a comfy chair to sit and wait it out until he is finished. He brings me a cup of cold water and I am thankful that the day does not turn out to be an ordeal that over taxes my already over taxed body. We go home after that - Drew allowing it because he can see I am beat, and because he forgot a few things that he will need. Eventually, I recover and take him back. It feels strange dropping him off and knowing I will not see him for awhile. I make him give me a hug. He is embarrassed, but complies, grinning from ear to ear as he heads into his new home.
Mission accomplished. Last child off to college and out of the house. Or at least partially out of the house.
But here at last we have arrived at move-in day. Once again, I am impressed with RIT's process. They sent people in advance colored labels to put on their luggage and items. We are assigned a time to arrive, they have the student pick up their keys, then we drive to the circle in front of the dorms. There, we take everything out of the car and set it on the curb. Once the car is empty, I drive to the parking lot and take the shuttle back to the dorm while Drew and a ton of helpers carry all his belongings upstairs. He is completely moved in and less than an hour has gone by. Not bad. There are not really any long lines - just a short wait to get on the elevators. Still, considering they are moving 4000 freshmen in, it all went smoothly.
Drew is on the 8th floor of a 9 story dorm. His room is across the hall from the bathroom and right next to the stairs. It is beastly hot in the room, but he sets up his fans and soon it is bearable. Since we can't take the elevators down (reserved only for those bringing stuff up), we walk down the stairs and head to the shuttle in order to get to the field house where Drew collects a backpack full of swag and along the way signs up for things he is interested in like getting a parking sticker for my car so I can come on campus to pick him up. And turning in that health form proving he had the darn shot. He tells me he politely but in no uncertain terms registered his displeasure about the mix up. Meanwhile, they have a packet for the parents as well - complete with a calendar that tells me what is happening on campus when.
At this point I am exhausted and have to find a comfy chair to sit and wait it out until he is finished. He brings me a cup of cold water and I am thankful that the day does not turn out to be an ordeal that over taxes my already over taxed body. We go home after that - Drew allowing it because he can see I am beat, and because he forgot a few things that he will need. Eventually, I recover and take him back. It feels strange dropping him off and knowing I will not see him for awhile. I make him give me a hug. He is embarrassed, but complies, grinning from ear to ear as he heads into his new home.
Mission accomplished. Last child off to college and out of the house. Or at least partially out of the house.
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