Thanks so much-this was so helpful! The only courses I had on the transcript for spring were things we thought she’d be continuing. We’ve since changed it to be a credit and a half less-she’s not finishing the Pre-Calc she started (half credit) because she’s well beyond the high school math she needed, and the Pre-Calc was mostly trig and doesn’t seem like anything she’ll need for nursing. She will need to take ONE math elective for nursing, but it’s basically a first year Algebra course. That seems more helpful for nursing than the Pre-Calc was! It would probably be easy for her, I would think. The other credit she wont’ be taking is a 200 level Lit class that was the only other English elective she needs for her nursing degree. She’d have time to take it there, so why stress now about it. Also she already took Bio/Chem/Physics, and this year is taking a full-year online pre-Anatomy and Physiology course, to help her the first year with A+P, which we heard is a weed-out course. She’s enjoying it and doing well. So good to know about the provisions. I didn’t read anything about that in the acceptances, but I’ll double check with her. Also, she finished some of her first year courses online-English 101 and 102, etc., so that would free her up to take a pre-req math or something in college if she absolutely had to. I didn’t know about these things you’ve mentioned on here-it’s really a huge help and I appreciate it! Please let me know if there is anything else I might be missing!!!! I’m leaning toward having the light semester for spring, but that would leave her with only finishing the science course (1 credit), a Medical Terminology course (.5 credit), and Phys Ed. It just seems so light! She will be working more, plus she does a puppet ministry at church she wants to spend time on, and works with the middle school girls group at church-just some things like that she would like to give time to, plus her own healing. ANNNND she hasn’t learned to drive yet due to time constraints and we need to get that going in the next couple months! I’m 100% for easing up, but I just don’t want to regret it after because the colleges are upset at the light semester!

How would we find out if acceptance is contingent? We wouldn’t want to ask the college and call attention to it. I do think most places ask for a final “official†transcript, right? So they’ll definitely see that she had a light semester :(

She’s already accepted at the colleges she wants (Liberty, Cedarville, Houghton, Roberts Wesleyan). She’s been invited to their Honors programs, which she isn’t planning on doing (it’s for nursing so she doesn’t need the extra stress of Honors work). She had a 4.0 for high school and 1390 SAT, so she’s worked really hard. We don’t have financial packages from the colleges yet and we DO need financial aid and scholarships-as much as possible since we have nothing to put toward her college. She’s been suffering pretty serious anxiety and it would probably really help her to have an easy semester while she’s regaining her footing mentally/emotionally. She also wants to work more hours to get some money toward books and other things she’ll need. Would it affect anything with the colleges and especially with financial aid if she just takes maybe two courses second semester senior year? She already finished everything she needs for high school, and has several credits from college courses (online and local) as well. Thanks so much!

Thanks so much, everyone! The scholarship would be nice but sounds like it isn’t worth it.

Dd could be accepted into Cedarville, Liberty, and Roberts Wesleyan in their Honors programs for nursing (GPA 4.0 and 1390 SAT). Besides the scholarship money, it just seems crazy to apply for Honors and have her do all that extra work (senior thesis, more difficult classes, etc.) when she’ll get a good job anyway with her regular BSN. It’s not like a business or law degree where Honors would make a difference to job hunting. I should mention this is a girl who pushes herself to the point of anxiety and we’d rather have her have a more “relaxed†college experience (nursing degree is tough enough already!) instead of having to constantly perform at a high honors level. Thanks-this is our first in college so we have no clue!

Thanks, everyone, for the ideas and please keep them coming!

I’m pretty active, so asking for Under Armour compression sleeves so far. Just got an iPad for my birthday and got a case and keyboard already. Trying to think of other ideas-I’d love to hear what everyone else is asking for! Cool kitchen gadgets? Favorite “toys� Very very grateful for all that I do have!

Trying to determine if I should waste my time on these or not.... Thanks!

Thanks, feeling better about it! I will attempt it tomorrow.....

I am deer in the headlights, burying head in sand w/ college stuff for dd who is a senior in high school. She started filling out applications this week. I know I need to get on this stuff but I'm overwhelmed beyond belief about all this-too intimidated to even start. I need to start w/ FAFSA since dd is saying she needs it done to get an application in by this Sunday (!) Is it a big deal or something I can crank out in a couple hours? I keep hearing what a nightmare it is to fill out and I'm freaked out! (a side question: the FAFSA just came out Oct 1, right? Why do places need it already by this weekend? She said it's to avoid application fees by getting apps in early?) Then maybe do her transcript? I tried to look at the sticky Lori put up, but it's making me way more overwhelmed. I need to find a way to keep it simple! It shouldn't be that bad-she knows she wants to go to Liberty Uni, and her grades and SAT scores are enough to get in and also for honors level there. We are applying at three others though to see what packages they give. FINANCIAL AID is key and we need a GREAT package-we have nothing to contribute toward college due to being on one small income plus debt. Thanks for any help! I'm also hoping any answers to this thread will help others in the same boat right now!

Oh, Susan, I like the idea of a permanent larger "steeping" bottle to draw from and keep a smaller bottle in the baking cupboard for use. That would solve the good point that Danae brought up too.

I've never made it before and want to try, since the pure vanilla is so $$ to buy anyway. Just read that there is a huge shortage of vanilla beans in Madagascar-grrrrr! We want it to be as cheap as we can-very tight budget. Do you find it's more economical in the long run to make it? Do you find it works just fine to "top off" your vanilla w/ more vodka instead of making a bunch of it all at once? I thought we'd make 8 ounces and then just "top off". (For reference-We use it for baking and went through 16 ounces of McCormick in about a year and a half or more.) Recipes say 3-5 beans for 8 oz vodka. Can we get away with 3 beans? I googled it and read Madagascar beans are the best. Can someone point me to the CHEAPEST reputable source please? Or would we be just fine with Bourbon beans if they're cheaper? Any other tips appreciated! thanks so much!

Thank you, Lanny. I honestly did not realize this. For some reason, I thought people were generally switching to tablets. I figured it could be generally turned into a laptop type thing by adding a wireless keyboard, but I can see what you're saying. I need to look into it more.

I'd love to have more options (imac, etc.) but price is a primary consideration! So it looks like I'm limited to ipad, ipad pro, etc.

Unfortunately, most of the other products are out of our price range. Great idea though to look at the Apple Store (we do have one). I still would love to hear more opinions too!