Impossible Situation for Students
By DianneN
@DianneN (254949)
United States
April 9, 2026 4:16pm CST
Hope this photo appears. I am on TikTok for only one reason and that reason is my Ice Princess. She posts at least one or two videos a week singing along to her favorite songs.
She flew down to New Orleans with her parents today to attend a small gathering for new students. She told me they have many small gatherings for each group. It was her turn today.
What bothers me is that how can students from abroad, students from afar, parents who work, students who are in high school, (disregard the latter, because they already got into the university), and those who have other young children, who are in school or need someone to care for them, have the time or funds to attend such functions, airfare, gas for a car, Ubers, taxis, and hotels?
My son is using air miles. But as exciting as this visit will be for everyone, except the kids who can’t attend, don’t you find that it would be a huge imposition for most new students? I certainly do.
18 people like this
17 responses
@Ineeddentures (33871)
•
10 Apr
Aye
Maybe they have money trees in their gardens Dianne
And the photo is there, lovely girl
4 people like this
@DianneN (254949)
• United States
10 Apr
@Ineeddentures That’s an awesome benefit, Jim. Does it include Glasgow University?
2 people like this
@DianneN (254949)
• United States
10 Apr
Not everyone has a money tree growing in their garden, Jim. Things are so uncalled for in my opinion and not fair for so many parents or their families. Times have certainly changed since I was a kid as well as when my boys went to college.
And thank you. She’s my sweetie pie!
3 people like this
@Ineeddentures (33871)
•
10 Apr
@DianneN
It's the same here
I have no idea how kids from poorer families navigate Uni
Maybe that is why there are fewer kids from poorer families at Uni
Kids from Scotland who go to Uni in Scotland get free tuition so that helps
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (97912)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
9 Apr
I only had my mom and so I chose the closest university to us so I could get funds and I could travel back and home every day, I went to the University of Long Island Brooklyn Center and it never bothered me that I did not go away to college, If this kind of situation would have turned up then mom and i would be in a real pickle,
2 people like this
@DianneN (254949)
• United States
9 Apr
I’m happy you went to a university. Lots of students do the same as you did for one reason or another. A real pickle for many students I am sure. I really can’t understand how the school would do that. Back in the day, they had one big orientation day and that was as soon as the kids moved into their dorms and then classes started.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (97912)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
9 Apr
@DianneN mom and I really got lucky it was the end of the 1970s and I could get student aid and did not have to pay anything back,
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
10 Apr
That is hard and in many ways promotes exclusivity.
2 people like this
@toniganzon (77064)
• Philippines
10 Apr
Yeah that's going to cost a lot. But a friend of mine does it. She flies to the US whenever there is such a gathering but they have a mansion in Beverly Hills so they stay there for as long as they want. Her only daughter and the youngest studies in California.
2 people like this
@DianneN (254949)
• United States
10 Apr
@LadyDuck I agree. My son opened special savings accounts for both kids the day they were born and we’ve contributed to it twice a year since then. Our contribution doesn’t make a dent, and that’s only for one year! I can’t imagine how those extra costs make it possible for other students and their families.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254949)
• United States
10 Apr
My point exactly! I’ve never encountered anything like it when my boys went to college. We drove them to school with our car packed with their belongings, helped move them in, and attended the president’s address and orientation. We took them out to dinner and breakfast, kissed them goodbye, and drove home. Until parents weekend.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (117196)
• El Paso, Texas
10 Apr
I simply wouldn't have gone but then I was only in business college so nuttin like that happened .... thank heavens ..... I agree with you especially when you consider just how many are on scholarships from families that have limited funds so they can't really do all that.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (117196)
• El Paso, Texas
10 Apr
That's not even a little funny, I know you're not poor so I would imagine your gifts were very generous but for all of that to account for so little of what it's costing is unbelieveable. It does beg the question on just whose gotten rich from all that money that all parents end up paying.
The worst part is that so often students who graduate but not in the top 10% end up having to make due with minor jobs often not even related to the degrees they hold. Boggles the mind.1 person likes this
@DianneN (254949)
• United States
10 Apr
@rebelann It’s a very interesting question. The dynamics of the financial gains for most private universities are very complex. They depend on alumni donations, grants, and other contributions from who I don’t know. Presidents of the universities are the highest paid for sure.
True, many students, especially in this day and age, all don’t find jobs or careers they are qualified for. My older son told me that when he was recruiting students for his law firm, the firm told him to only interview students from Ivy League universities. What about schools like University of Virginia and Duke? I don’t know what to think anymore. You either are lucky or not. Life can be so unfair.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254949)
• United States
10 Apr
Exactly! Times have certainly changed from when my sons went to college. I won’t even mention the cost of admission and room and board for 1 year. My son saved in a special college fund since the day she was born, and as gifts, we donated twice a year to that fund. What we gave amounts to less than 1/4 of admission for only one year! Who knew?
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (40020)
• Toccoa, Georgia
10 Apr
I agree with you. It doesn't seem fair.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254949)
• United States
10 Apr
@LeaPea2417 Start saving up this minute!
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (91011)
• United States
10 Apr
I do agree with you on this. My grandkids all attended universities close enough to home that didn't require flying but still attendance for all those gatherings. Even being only a few hours away can be expensive going back and forth. etc.
My daughters friends daughter decided to go college in Miami and I don't know how they afford all the airfare going to visit her and her coming home more frequently than I would pay for. I've heard so many stories about her being a plane ride away and how they don't want their other children to have to fly to go to college.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (91011)
• United States
10 Apr
@DianneN my son in laws brothers son went away to college in Miami. Instead of shipping everything there they flew down to Miami a few days before, shopped locally and had it sent to the dorm if it was bigger than the car they rented. All the other stuff fit in the car and they only had to fly with their luggage (clothes)
My grandson is in college outside Philly and Amazon has come to the rescue many times for something he needs. Even though its only a 2 hr drive each way no one needed to make the trip.
I really don't know how parents can afford these expenses when their kids go away. I'm all for a good education but unless you're mega rich it has to be a hardship for many
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254949)
• United States
10 Apr
@Marilynda1225 I like your idea of shopping once they got down to Miami. I’m positive my granddaughter will use Amazon a lot, but I will mention both to her and her parents. Good ideas and thanks so much! I really appreciate your taking the time.
I agree!!!
I agree!!!1 person likes this
@DianneN (254949)
• United States
10 Apr
Thank you. I finally wrote something of substance. You’re so right! It’s so true! The school also suggested that rather than driving with a U-Haul, students should ship everything down when moving into their dorms. Do you realize how costly shipping boxes and boxes can be? I send boxes home with light items in them and those cost almost $60 a box. I’m going to cram everything I can into our car when they ship it home. I hope my grandson goes to a college close to his home when the time comes.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
10 Apr
Yes, I think for most students that's a great expense.
1 person likes this
@thedevilinme (5217)
• Northampton, England
10 Apr
Your minted. Start a foundation for them. Pay for them . Cut your champers budget for the summer;-)
1 person likes this
@thedevilinme (5217)
• Northampton, England
10 Apr
@DianneN I saw you on Miami Dade boats, the Youtube channel where all the hot moms mingle with the spring breakers ;-)
1 person likes this
@valherma00 (3734)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
10 Apr
my parents never visited me while i was in a dormitory. only once, when i moved out and helping me with stuff. rooms were so small. i can't believe it how i survived in those tiny spaces.
1 person likes this
yes, these days, not sure what anyone is expecting.
@snowy22315 (208746)
• United States
10 Apr
Especially with the high fuel prices now. It isn't mandatory to attend is it?
1 person likes this
