By Brian Gray
bgray@ themonroetimes.com
MONROE - The prospect of going off to college can be exciting for students, but it can be difficult for parents.
For many 2010 graduates, their first week in college begins this week. Many have already left for school, or will be leaving sometime this week.
For some students, the experience of heading off to college is filled with excitement. The transition to higher education can be full of new surroundings, new challenges and a chance to prove to themselves they're ready for life after high school.
"You're out on your own," said Garrett Grinnell, a recent Monroe grad.
Grinnell left for University of Wisconsin-Platteville Saturday. He plans to major in computer science.
He was ready to go to college, he said. He purchased whatever he needed for his dorm room, but said it was possible he might have forgotten something. But, it's not that far from Platteville to Monroe; if he needed something for his dorm room he could always come home, he said
"There's always stuff you need," Grinnell said.
Taa Egli, Monroe, is leaving for the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay today. Like Grinnell, she's looking forward to going to college.
"I'm excited about it," she said. "It's going to be different."
She's looking forward to meeting new people and the idea of studying new things as she prepares for a career in education, she said.
While students may be excited about college, it can be a stressful time for parents.
Rita Grinnell, Garrett's mother, said she's going to worry about her son.
"I won't know what he's doing all day," she said, "and I won't see him every day."
She said she hoped he had everything he needed, and that it was difficult to know how much to send to school with him.
"You're not sure how big their rooms are, so you don't know if you've sent too much with him," Rita said.
She said after the first few days she might begin to wonder what all the fuss was about.
"You probably wonder why you worried so much," she said.
Mike Egli, Taa's father, said he was happy his daughter was excited to begin college.
"It's going to be a new adventure for her," he said.
bgray@ themonroetimes.com
MONROE - The prospect of going off to college can be exciting for students, but it can be difficult for parents.
For many 2010 graduates, their first week in college begins this week. Many have already left for school, or will be leaving sometime this week.
For some students, the experience of heading off to college is filled with excitement. The transition to higher education can be full of new surroundings, new challenges and a chance to prove to themselves they're ready for life after high school.
"You're out on your own," said Garrett Grinnell, a recent Monroe grad.
Grinnell left for University of Wisconsin-Platteville Saturday. He plans to major in computer science.
He was ready to go to college, he said. He purchased whatever he needed for his dorm room, but said it was possible he might have forgotten something. But, it's not that far from Platteville to Monroe; if he needed something for his dorm room he could always come home, he said
"There's always stuff you need," Grinnell said.
Taa Egli, Monroe, is leaving for the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay today. Like Grinnell, she's looking forward to going to college.
"I'm excited about it," she said. "It's going to be different."
She's looking forward to meeting new people and the idea of studying new things as she prepares for a career in education, she said.
While students may be excited about college, it can be a stressful time for parents.
Rita Grinnell, Garrett's mother, said she's going to worry about her son.
"I won't know what he's doing all day," she said, "and I won't see him every day."
She said she hoped he had everything he needed, and that it was difficult to know how much to send to school with him.
"You're not sure how big their rooms are, so you don't know if you've sent too much with him," Rita said.
She said after the first few days she might begin to wonder what all the fuss was about.
"You probably wonder why you worried so much," she said.
Mike Egli, Taa's father, said he was happy his daughter was excited to begin college.
"It's going to be a new adventure for her," he said.