Do you find this fair as a parent?

FloridaGators · Post by **FloridaGators** » Sun Jun 29, 2003 7:16 pm

Yesterday I was going through a list of things to pack for college, I leave for Lafayette on August 21st. As we were going through the list, I brought up bringing my PS2 to college. My parents freaked out, saying "We spend near $35,000 a year for your education, we are not allowing you to bring that with you, you will waste away your tuition." I agreed FOR NOW, and moved on.
 
 I only game on weekends during school, to focus on my grades. I managed a 3.5 GPA in high school (not to brag, just giving information). So I can handle it and school. I game no more than 10 hours a week. I don´t see the big deal in bringing the PS2 to college. I would not let it ruin my college experience. I am lost for words in what to say to them. Sure, they are paying for college, and I appreciate that.
 
 They basically hate PS2 and find it a waste of time. The only reason I have a system was that I received a PSX (from my rich aunt) when I had a bone cyst during 1998. My parents found it fine because I was hung up for over a year.
 
 I try and explain to them that it´s just a hobby I enjoy on nights. I am in good shape and plan to play tennis in college (they don´t want me to though because they think it will affect my grades, another argument).
 
 Do you guys have any advice on what to say to them? I am at a loss here.

pigpen81 · Post by **pigpen81** » Sun Jun 29, 2003 8:59 pm

go to a cheaper college....get a job....and pay for everything yourself.(that´s what I did)
 
 then you can do whatever you want.
 
 plus you will grow up much faster(I don´t mean this in a mean way....but we all have grown up sometime...except maybe PK).....

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sun Jun 29, 2003 11:17 pm

Hmm ... tough call. It´s your PS2, and you are a young adult, so you should be able to handle it, especially considering your strong academic performance in high school.
 
 But you were cool not to buck your parents. Hopefully they´ll soften their stance if you pull a good midterm or first-semester GPA. Plus there are certain to be tons of dudes on your floor with a PS2 -- just bring your games and a Dual Shock controller with you. <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif">
 
 With all due respect to your parents, the idea of playing tennis hurting your grades is absolute bullshit. Playing college sports HELPS your grades because it forces you into a schedule and forces you to be more disciplined that a student who has oodles of free time after classes. I ran cross country and track in college for three years, and I think it helped my studies, maturity and discipline immeasurably.
 
 Wait -- me mature? Pigpen is right: I may be responsible, but I refuse to grow up. <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif">
 
 Good luck, dude,
 PK [ This message was edited by: pk500 on 29-06-2003 20:18 ]

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Jun 30, 2003 10:42 am

Z:
 
 Good point! I think I started packing two or three nights before I left for my freshman year of school ... <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif">
 
 Good luck, Gators! You´re an organized dude for a guy your age.
 
 Take care,
 PK

snate · Post by **snate** » Mon Jun 30, 2003 11:21 am

My parents did the same thing to me when I went to school. It worked out. I only played socially when I was at somebody elses place. No time wasted on solo play. Trust me, it is a good decision. I ended up bringing it for my sophmore through senior year however. <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_wink.gif"> [ This message was edited by: snate on 30-06-2003 13:40 ]

matthewk · Post by **matthewk** » Mon Jun 30, 2003 1:53 pm

Are you going away to school or prison?
 
 I never had any such stipulations when I went away. Once you go away to college you are virtually on your own. That means it will be up to you and you alone to get your studying done and do whats needed to get good grades. If you can´t learn to be responsible now, you´ll be in big trouble once you graduate.
 
 Personally, I´d let you bring it. If after a semester your grades are poor, then we´d have to re-evaluate things. I´d rather give my son the benefit of the doubt rather than assume he´ll screw up.
 
 I knew many kids who had bad grades in college, and a few who dropped out, but it was due to drinking and partying, not video games or music, or television.
 
 $35,000 a year? DAMN! I haven´t been out of school that long (1992). Have costs risen that much, or are you just a spoiled rich kid <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_wink.gif">
 
 -Matt

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Mon Jun 30, 2003 2:19 pm

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD>Quote:<HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><BLOCKQUOTE>
 On 2003-06-30 10:53, matthewk wrote:
 Are you going away to school or prison?
 
 I never had any such stipulations when I went away. Once you go away to college you are virtually on your own. That means it will be up to you and you alone to get your studying done and do whats needed to get good grades. If you can´t learn to be responsible now, you´ll be in big trouble once you graduate.
 
 Personally, I´d let you bring it. If after a semester your grades are poor, then we´d have to re-evaluate things. I´d rather give my son the benefit of the doubt rather than assume he´ll screw up.
 
 I knew many kids who had bad grades in college, and a few who dropped out, but it was due to drinking and partying, not video games or music, or television.
 
 $35,000 a year? DAMN! I haven´t been out of school that long (1992). Have costs risen that much, or are you just a spoiled rich kid <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_wink.gif">
 
 -Matt
 </BLOCKQUOTE></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
 
 Agreed !!!

FloridaGators · Post by **FloridaGators** » Mon Jun 30, 2003 10:05 pm

I am not a rich kid. My parents make sure I work hard. I am working a 8:00-4:30 job for the summer, working with blueprints.
 
 My dad does pretty well financially, he is a CPA. I am an only child, I don´t think he could put many through college.
 
 I pay for all my PS2 games. My parents don´t approve PS2. They find it a waste of time, yet they could care less if I watched TV all day. They refer to it sometimes as "tiddlywinks." I find that very ignorant. They are very possessive sometimes and others not so much.

CrazyStanley · Post by **CrazyStanley** » Tue Jul 01, 2003 1:20 am

It is a tough call, however I do see their point only because I wasted my parents money for a year of college before joining the Marine Corps.
 
 If they´re paving you the road, I can understand them wanting to keep the bumps out of the road.
 
 It sucks, but it´s better than you paying the tuition eh?