If your DC goes or went to Columbia…

[Anonymous]

What was their orientation like? I’m surprised how late it starts. My DD is getting a random roommate and I hope it’s a good fit. Is the workload everything they say it is? Will she have time to socialize and enjoy the campus/city? First kid off to college and I’m nervous, apparently.

[Anonymous]

Chill out mom. It will be fine. Maybe encourage your kid to sign up for one of the pre orientation activities. My kid started at Columbia during Covid and there was no orientation. Had to drop kid off at their dorm with a bunch of boxes and said see ya. It was tough but kid survived and enjoyed their time there. It’s a great school. Congrats to your kid.

[Anonymous]

Congrats to your kid. They will love it.

Your child got in; they are equipped to handle the workload.

Mine was a DS and my youngest. I was not sure he would turn in his work LOL. He always relied on his testing ability for his good grades. He rose to the occasion and loved every minute of his time there.

College is different for every student. It's time for them to fly. If for some reason this is not the right school there is no shame in transfering.

[Anonymous]

Congrats! Mine is now a sophomore and attended orientation last August. It is later this year due to when Labor Day falls. NSOP week was great, there are 4 activity/interest based tracks but note not everyone gets their first choice. There are lots fun of all class (CC and SEAS together) activities begining right after the convocation ceremony when parents leave. They do a great job of making the students feel at home and connected. It also helps that the freshmen dorms are on the main quad.

It is an academic school but there are resources, including excellent help rooms in all departments staffed with peer tutors and she will be assigned an advisor over the summer. If she was able to socialize, handle EC's while in HS she will be able to at Columbia- the key thing is not to procrastinate. Read the materials ahead of lecture, attend classes, do the homework even if it is not graded etc.
Roar Lions Roar!

[Anonymous]

The school is difficult, but manageable. A lot of writing. A lot of reading. But, it is a supportive environment. A lot of positive peer pressure, not competitive but more "we have a lot of work to do, let's get it done". My kid is an athlete there, 3hrs of practice and about an average of 3 hrs of hw/night. Some nights a bit more.

Although mine has taken advantage of the resources, they are plentiful. A lot of office hours.

My kid had a STEM focused major and wound up with a 3.8GPA for the year. Worked hard, played less hard but still had a lot of fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The school is difficult, but manageable. A lot of writing. A lot of reading. But, it is a supportive environment. A lot of positive peer pressure, not competitive but more "we have a lot of work to do, let's get it done". My kid is an athlete there, 3hrs of practice and about an average of 3 hrs of hw/night. Some nights a bit more.

Although mine has not* taken advantage of the resources, they are plentiful. A lot of office hours.

My kid had a STEM focused major and wound up with a 3.8GPA for the year. Worked hard, played less hard but still had a lot of fun.

Also meant to add, my child just finished their freshman year.

[Anonymous]

I think they have 4 different orientations. A hike, a white water rafting, some other hippyish thing (no disrespect) and one based in NYC where you learn the subway system, go to the different boroughs, see the sites...etc.

Even though my kids spend the first half of their lives in NYC, my DS was assigned the NYC one. The orientation is assigned based off of a questionnaire that you fill out this summer.

My DS loved the NSOP...got to see stuff around the city that they hadn't seen when we were living there.

The University does a really good job with the orientation.

The school is hard work, but they support the kids if needed. Turn in your work on time, go to office hours when you are confused, put in effort and you will do fine.

[Anonymous]

If so, my condolences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If so, my condolences.

Why? Good chance to avoid ignorant people like you.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info about orientation! I wish we were getting more emails. We are from the Midwest (a city) so I bet she will like the experience where you explore NY.

I hope she does all that reading! She has kind of skated by in a special program in high school -big fish - so I hope she brings it when she needs it.

She will love all the food and culture vibrancy of the city. I’m so nervous and excited for her.