Anyone concerned about what college in the Fall will be like (COVID)?

[Anonymous]

Didn't think we'd survive DS applying to schools, that was a tough one with him and his extreme procrastination. But now with decisions coming in, and just chatting with him about which school he can see himself going to, he has so little enthusiasm. When I talk to him about it, he's very down about the possibility of COVID-related distance learning continuing in colleges. He's talked with friends who are college freshmen this year who have told him how boring it's been. Either stuck in dorm rooms taking classes virtually, or back with Mom and Dad taking classes virtually. Few sports, no parties, no fun.

I've tried to encourage him by saying we'll know a lot more about the direction everything's going by the May 1 deadline, but I find as the calendar goes by quickly, I'm not sure if even I'm believing that. And he'll say why pay all of that money for a year of virtual classes, maybe he should just do community college. Or choose the lowest cost college he's been accepted to, even though he isn't very excited about it, and they've dropped a possible major he's interested in.

I was curious what others are thinking about the Fall 2021 year of college?

[Anonymous]

Has he applied to the national champion, Alabama? Kids appear to be having a real college experience there. Roll Tide!

[Anonymous]

I think it will be very different next fall, but then again I swore to my kids that there was no way they'd be out of school for the rest of their HS careers and yet here we are.

I would encourage him to eat until April before he makes and decisions as I do think we will know alot more then. With the vaccine being a game changer, things will change, it's just a matter of when.

[Anonymous]

^^ whoops not to "eat" but to "wait" LOL

[Anonymous]

We are looking into deferring if fall is online. At DC's top choice, you can defer a year, keep any scholarships, and take gen ed classes at a community college (or elsewhere).

[Anonymous]

I have a college freshman on campus right now. Agree that it isn't ideal, no parties and many classes are on line.

But he is very happy he went, is having a college experience and not living at home. He has new friends and likes college. It's not the same, but this is his time.

He is glad he didn't defer and prefers this on line high school last spring.

[Anonymous]

My DS chose a school that he’s loved for years. His choice was buoyed by the fact they were in class all throughout the fall semester. That said, they are struggling this semester with state guidelines and increasing county numbers. He’s worried but his merit scholarship won’t last a gap year. He’s prepared to intrepidly move forward in the fall but we are all still worried. Just hoping that increased vaccinations make the difference.

[Anonymous]

My kid chose to be home last semester but returned for this/spring semester.

Today was the first day back and she is LOVING being back on campus. Yes, there are strict rules, but at least they are with kids their age, not mom and dad. (Mind you, she is not the rah rah sports or partying type. But she has friends and enjoys the labs in person, etc)

[Anonymous]

My freshman is greatly enjoying his first year of college. No, it isn't a ton of fun, but he is meeting other students and has leaned in hard to his studies.

I'm trying not to be preachy, but I think it is important to remember that having the opportunity for a college education is an incredible privilege. This past year has really sharpened and clarified for my kid that the purpose of college is to prepare to be a contributing member of society. This is a generation of kids who are confronting a pandemic, racial injustice, climate change, an go out into the world and do things to effect change. My son's maturity level in the past year has been incredible; I see a real seriousness of purpose and a lack of self pity that is really amazing.

The way I look at it, this generation is being forced to put childish things aside earlier than planned, and is not being afforded the luxury of four years of partying. Yes it sucks, but grow up, get your priorities straight, and if you don't want to go to college because it isn't big fun then feel free to consider the alternatives. I'm sure they are probably hiring at your nearest JBS meat packing plant, the Marines could always use a few good men, and scraping out a minimum wage existence delivering InstaCart is probably a heck of a lot more fun than studying.

[Anonymous]

Not concerned at all. The school DD will be attending is holding classes in person now, so we don’t see DL happening in the fall.

[Anonymous]

My DDs has hybrid, most classes online but freshman on campus this winter. The fall semester was entirely remote. I’d probably see what the school is doing this semester. Schools that aren’t attempting to get any students on campus or classes will probably be more stringent in the fall.

[Anonymous]

I need to have college in person because I need my HS senior out of my house.

I recall from previous years, looking at this board, references to "soiling the nest"--so I imagine if one has a DC with that sort of bent, it's only going to get worse until school starts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I need to have college in person because I need my HS senior out of my house.

I recall from previous years, looking at this board, references to "soiling the nest"--so I imagine if one has a DC with that sort of bent, it's only going to get worse until school starts.

I can only imagine what this means, but my kid also needs to fly.

[Anonymous]

I think it will be creeping toward normal, but not there yet. My dd’s school has all courses 100% online this year, and I would expect by fall that they will be requiring vaccinations for everyone on campus and allowing in person instruction in at least some capacity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Didn't think we'd survive DS applying to schools, that was a tough one with him and his extreme procrastination. But now with decisions coming in, and just chatting with him about which school he can see himself going to, he has so little enthusiasm. When I talk to him about it, he's very down about the possibility of COVID-related distance learning continuing in colleges. He's talked with friends who are college freshmen this year who have told him how boring it's been. Either stuck in dorm rooms taking classes virtually, or back with Mom and Dad taking classes virtually. Few sports, no parties, no fun.

I've tried to encourage him by saying we'll know a lot more about the direction everything's going by the May 1 deadline, but I find as the calendar goes by quickly, I'm not sure if even I'm believing that. And he'll say why pay all of that money for a year of virtual classes, maybe he should just do community college. Or choose the lowest cost college he's been accepted to, even though he isn't very excited about it, and they've dropped a possible major he's interested in.

I was curious what others are thinking about the Fall 2021 year of college?

My kid has several options, and I suspect that DC will be leaning towards a school that has had in-person learning this year and may continue in the fall. The schools that were all online this year and no chance to visit have fallen swiftly to the bottom of their list. I actually feel really bad for the Class of '20 seniors who spent this year all remote at home - that had to be very disappointing to kids wanting the independence and new start at college. Hoping things will be better for this year's seniors come fall.