Hugh Grows Up!

I haven't said a whole lot about the kids (my kids) on this blog in awhile. I keep everyone up to date on FB. I think it's time for a little update!

Hugh. Sigh. He grew up. And up. And up. LOL. Last year he was in grade 12 and going through the whole university application procedure. He was so...unengaged. We had to push him to meet deadlines and get involved. He wasn't sure what he wanted to do. He liked film editing, computer programming, math, science, history...When we went on the Queen's tour in the summer before grade 12, the clerk mentioned the "COCA" program. We read about it in the booklet but it didn't really click (just went to see the post on our tour. It's not on this blog. It's on my knitting/sewing blog LOL). This program is "Computers and the Creative Arts". You study computers and one area of creative arts, such as film, music, theater. We really didn't know much more than that.

He ended up applying for Computer Programming at Carleton, Queen's and Trent and COCA (which is actually a B.A program) at Queen's. He got early acceptance to Carleton and Trent. We went to tour Trent. It was okay. It felt very small though. Hugh didn't have anything to say. The campus seems to have a split personality. Some of the buildings are disntinctly '70s...brown bricks, small windows. The old residences were called "castle like" but felt more dungeon like. You enter a hall way that is sort of outside and it was so damp feeling. The layout was confusing but it meant some of the rooms were unique. Then there were the newer buildings that were bright and airy and colourful.

 Then in March Break we went to the big open house day at Queen's. Hugh wasn't feeling well and again, he wasn't all that engaged. We had more fun than he did. It started off at Grant Hall. We pretty much had to push him behind the student card cutout. Dad, of course, hopped in there right away.

We attended a talk about the residences and fees. Lots more options than when we were there.

The meal plan has changed too, and looks really good. The "Trade a Meal" is a great thing, especially now that there are a lot more food options on campus. We then went on a tour and got to see several residences. The oldest one had been (or still was?) all boys and you could smell it LOL. The newest residences are Single Plus--two single rooms joined by a shared bathroom. Some of these buildings even had air conditioning! The rooms seemed small though.

We had some time, so we paid for the breakfast brunch at the "old" cafeteria, Leonard Hall. Well. It's nothing like it was in the '90s. It felt more like the Windjammer Buffet on Royal Caribbean! It used to be one line, stereotypical cafeteria service, opening up to a massive room of long tables. Now, there are lots of different "stations" and options and the seating area has nooks, small tables, booths, the works. Although it used to be scary standing at the opening of the massive room scanning the room for a familiar face, this cafe has the issue that if you are intentionally looking for someone, you have to walk all around.

Then we walked down King St to the new Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts. Despite the School of Music not having its own theater and lacking a larger practice, this new centre is not also home to the School of Music. The Film School got to move in. It's not a terrible walk, 13-15 minutes, but if you're lugging a trombone, cello, double bass...Anyway. It's a beautiful place. School of Music auditions were going on, and I saw several professors that had been there when I was!! We didn't get to see the actual theater though due to auditions.

We toured much of the Film School facilities. Hugh still didn't seem excited. What would it take? His foot was bothering him, he had a cold...but still.  We did find out that COCA is geared to "using computers as a consumer in the arts fields" and computer programming was to "design those programs others use". That cleared it up quite a bit. Much of the classes are the same in the first two years and as long as he took a particular math, he could move over to the computer programming program later. Apparently you don't even need any high school computer programming courses to apply for a Bachelor of Computer Science. 

We never got around to visiting Carlton, but went out to The Mandarin to celebrate his acceptance LOL.

Yes, he ate cotton candy with chopsticks. He has a fascination with chop sticks. 

Finally, word came from Queen's. He didn't get into the B.Comp. Science. program, but got into B.A. in the COCA program (which really starts the second year).  

He put in the deposit for the residence lottery. What would he get? He couldn't decide if he wanted double or single but of course, Dad insisted he wanted to be on main campus. I tried to remain open minded. It was out of our control, regardless. Finally it came. He got a single room on West Campus. Dad was furious. Several other kids from our immediate neighbourhood (as well as at least one girl from last year) also got West Campus. What's up with that? I know many people really like the secluded, small village feel of West Campus. We hadn't even toured out there though. 

We went as a family to settle him in.   We were supposed to be there during a certain time window. Of course, we got the first window, 8am-10am. Rob wanted to be there right at 8am. Not sure why. 

 It was hot but cloudy.

 Megan didn't get up early enough to do her eyebrows LOL

 There was a construction sign ahead but traffic suddenly came to an almost stop! Google said the 401 was closed up ahead!!

 OMG. It was so slow. Two lanes of highway traffic have to get off and go on rural streets.

We got off and followed most people. It was slow going because at one point we had to make a left turn onto a busier road. It felt like forever. 

It was a little chaotic, but at least less so than at Main Campus. First thing was to send Hugh in to get his key. By himself. Oh boy. Instant Adulthood. We were sent off to park and the guide said they'd direct Hugh where to go. LOL. He didn't listen though and came out to find us and we were gone LOL. He found us (kids trying to text where they are using landmarks they've never seen LOL). We started settling him in.

 The felt small compared to the double I had. The bed is an extra long twin. So hard to find sheets.

 Lots of activities!

 The bed sort of fits two

 Due to lack of plugs, we moved the desk over. The room was so hot.

 Hugh's room is the one on the bottom right with the stuff in the window. The window only opens about 6".

 We took Hugh out to get a fan. They were completely sold out at Canadian Tire and we had to get a little desktop fan. It barely did anything. We also stocked up the fridge and took him to the bank. Made him go in to the ATM by himself. In a bank he's never been to. Oh my. Adulthood!

On the way home we saw a trailer with a boat and trailer in it. LOL. 

I know plenty of moms cry terribly when dropping their kids off at university. I was so excited for Hugh to experience it. He's an interesting kid and I was feeling that I hadn't had enough time to get to know this 18 year old who was so different than when he was 8. He's interesting! But he's also fearful, hesitant, and sheltered. Would he sink or fly here? He seemed scared. We talked a lot about the need to do well, and the need to be responsible for yourself--your planning, your routines, your experience. We encouraged him to get out there and get engaged. He wasn't all that engaged with high school. Not in any clubs or teams. It wasn't until his friends started getting their licenses that he started hanging out with friends. We were so fearful he'd shut the door of his single room and be "the hermit".

It doesn't appear to have happened!!