By Staff Writer: Julia Simmons
Moving away from home, being responsible for yourself, and a whole new social life are all things that come with your first semester of college. But what about your parents? What’s their side of the story? I sat down with the parents of two freshman students to ask.
C Chavez is the mom of Jerome Williams-a computer science major who started at ENMU this fall. Her son decided on ENMU so he could commute to school and live at home. Chavez said that her son’s decision to stay at home eased some of her worries about him living away from the family. Jerome continues to work in Clovis, which makes Chavez proud he can juggle work and school, but anxious it may become too much.
B Simington is the dad of Martin Simington- an environmental engineering major who started at Texas Tech this fall. While Simington took his son to tour Colorado State, Texas Tech was his first choice. Simington is anxious for his son to live on his own but thinks he’s fitting in decently in his first year. He worries that Martin will isolate himself. Because Martin isn’t a big talker, Simington has to guess how he’s adjusting. “I can’t check on his grades, and I can’t keep my eye on him,” Simington stated.
Simington also noted that Martin did everything by himself, applying to and researching colleges. Chavez had a similar experience, stating Jerome only needed help with financial aid applications. Students being able to follow the college process on their own is often a relief to parents, because it’s a big undertaking. It shows their kids have a handle on their future.
Simington expressed how proud he is of his son. “I never went to college, and his mom went online,” he said. “So, we have no idea what he’s in for, but he’s the first one in the family to do it.” He worries if he raised his son right, and if he can handle himself in the real world. “But I can’t show it,” Simington said. “If I worry, he worries.”
Chavez felt her son was adjusting well, but stated he hasn’t changed much. “He is still living at home,” she said. “Not much has changed in the household. I think next semester, or next year, he might branch out more, do more school activities.” Right now, Jerome expressed to his mom that some of his classes feel like they could have been accomplished online, instead of having to commute.
After talking with these two parents whose children are in completely different situations, I gathered this- parents worry, and parents are proud.