Anonymous
Post 07/09/2020 09:50     Subject: Re:Your college freshmen plan?
Anonymous wrote:Parent of a rising freshmen. Are your kids (this probably applies to girls) bringing decorations, canvases, plants, pictures, etc as kids would in a normal year? My kid wants to but I’m hesitant in case she has to move out in a couple days notice. We are driving distance. I noticed parents on here tend to be pretty simplistic when it comes to dorm stuff (i.e. Ordering the stuff on amazon and having it sent to the school). I know people who hire dorm consultants.


I would have her just take the minimum, and zhush it up in October 1st if it looks likely she's staying for the year.
Anonymous
Post 07/09/2020 09:49     Subject: Re:Your college freshmen plan?
Anonymous wrote:Yeah, the gap year idea sucks too. Someone give me an idea that doesn't totally suck.


+1

No sense in a gap year, when there is literally nothing else to do.
Anonymous
Post 07/09/2020 09:49     Subject: Re:Your college freshmen plan?
Anonymous wrote: Schools could setup big tents, outdoor tables (spaced) and put up some wifi hotspots to create outdoor study spaces.


That is a good idea.
Anonymous
Post 07/09/2020 09:45     Subject: Re:Your college freshmen plan?
The Onion explains what they will miss out on:

SPRINGFIELD, OH—Lamenting the school’s decision to move classes online to combat the spread of Covid-19, incoming Ohio State freshman Kurt Ryan, who would have fallen through a dorm window on the first weekend on campus, admitted Tuesday he was sad to miss out on the “full college experience.” “Honestly, I was really excited about getting out of my parents’ house and finally having a little independence,” said the 18-year-old, who in all likelihood would have shotgunned five beers, toppled out the window, suffered numerous critical head injuries, and sparked a weeklong conversation about the dangers of binge-drinking that would temporarily serve as a cautionary tale for his peers. “I’m bummed I won’t get to meet and make friends with my classmates [who would have witnessed him plummeting to the ground and then abandoned his unresponsive form in their dorm’s courtyard, fearing reprisal if they reported the incident to campus police]. It really sucks that I won’t be able to make those freshman-year memories [of slowly regaining consciousness in a hospital just 48 hours after his arrival at school and being forced to spend the next nine months learning to talk again].” At press time, reports confirmed Ryan had approximated campus life by drunkenly passing out on the front lawn of his parents’ house.
Anonymous
Post 07/09/2020 09:44     Subject: Re:Your college freshmen plan?
*freshman
Anonymous
Post 07/09/2020 09:43     Subject: Re:Your college freshmen plan?
Parent of a rising freshmen. Are your kids (this probably applies to girls) bringing decorations, canvases, plants, pictures, etc as kids would in a normal year? My kid wants to but I’m hesitant in case she has to move out in a couple days notice. We are driving distance. I noticed parents on here tend to be pretty simplistic when it comes to dorm stuff (i.e. Ordering the stuff on amazon and having it sent to the school). I know people who hire dorm consultants.
Anonymous
Post 07/09/2020 08:52     Subject: Re:Your college freshmen plan?
And how do you meet new friends in school in the middle of a pandemic?

At my freshman's school, they are emphasizing that they will have activities and events to help freshmen meet each other and to form that broader community. I know that they have had seminars and zoom activities in my DC's specific program all spring. Students may be living by themselves in the dorms, but they aren't on lockdown. They are bringing back some RAs, who will help build community and pass down traditions. I can see a lot of hanging out outside happening. Schools could setup big tents, outdoor tables (spaced) and put up some wifi hotspots to create outdoor study spaces. For my DC's school, fall is usually gorgeous weather. Outdoor movie night, outdoor scavenger hunt/puzzles, outdoor bonfires, outdoor arts & crafts - creative people will come up with creative solutions. It will in no way be "normal" school, but I'm optimistic that something positive will come out of being on campus for my DC.
Anonymous
Post 07/08/2020 23:38     Subject: Re:Your college freshmen plan?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:DD will be staying home from college to take online classes and commuting 1 or 2 days a week up to campus to go to in-person classes. We live about an hour away from campus.


Why did you make that decision? Or why did she?



That sounds like a great way to save money. DD said she’d totally stay home and do virtual if her college allowed it. We are super tight on funds.





Our college doesn’t permit that arrangement at least for freshmen. If choose not to live on campus, then classes have to be online.



Gotta grub that $$$$ anyway the colleges can!!


Helps to reduce exposure risk too.
Anonymous
Post 07/08/2020 23:21     Subject: Your college freshmen plan?
Both of my boys will go back to school- one will drive to his in state school and the other will fly to his out of state school. They both have private apartments close to campus and will live with roommates. I know it's going to be a bit tough- less social, few events to go to and a lot of time alone with their screen doing online stuff. One is an extrovert and will be with people, my younger one is a bit shy and I fear that he will be in his room alone too much. (he is home all the time right now) They both want to go and I want them to keep moving forward with their education. Hoping the spring semester is more normal...
Anonymous
Post 07/08/2020 22:55     Subject: Your college freshmen plan?
Both my kids off to college. One has an apt and staying regardless. Only one class in person. Her whole apt complex is students and she has roommates. Younger one opening up with roommates etc
Anonymous
Post 07/08/2020 22:36     Subject: Re:Your college freshmen plan?
Anonymous wrote:Honestly, it’s better than 3 months stuck at home in your room, with zoom your only connection to peers (which was spring experience.) Sure, this fall should start better at home than during stay- at-home orders, but all of the HS friends are going to be focused on their own college experiences, not clinging to remnants of a senior year that flopped. If college finances or health issues are a concern for a family, staying home makes sense. But otherwise, we are going to make the best of a bad situation.


I can see that, but at the same time it wouldn't be three months stuck in a bedroom here at home; there's all the conveniences of home and none of the drawbacks of living stuck in a tiny dorm room, trying to take online classes in your room; masking up to walk outside and do laundry; home cooked meals with your family instead of eating a boxed dinner in your room or sitting alone in a dining hall. And financial concerns exist for many people -- especially with the thought of no refunds on room and board if kids are sent home early. The other high school friends moving on is a valid concern, except I think no small number of them might be staying home too. And how do you meet new friends in school in the middle of a pandemic?
Anonymous
Post 07/08/2020 22:12     Subject: Re:Your college freshmen plan?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:DD will be staying home from college to take online classes and commuting 1 or 2 days a week up to campus to go to in-person classes. We live about an hour away from campus.


Why did you make that decision? Or why did she?



That sounds like a great way to save money. DD said she’d totally stay home and do virtual if her college allowed it. We are super tight on funds.





Our college doesn’t permit that arrangement at least for freshmen. If choose not to live on campus, then classes have to be online.



Gotta grub that $$$$ anyway the colleges can!!
Anonymous
Post 07/08/2020 22:05     Subject: Re:Your college freshmen plan?
Anonymous wrote:I'm trying to wrap my mind around what the "campus experience" is really going to be like end of August.

Students will be moving their stuff into dorms (while masked); we parents won't be moving them in (stay out of the dorms).

Students might not have a roommate as part or de densifying. So they are alone in their rooms (could be good or bad)

Freshman meetings -- Hey how are you? Nice to meet you -- not really happening right? If happening, they happen outdoors in good weather -- masked -- 3-6 feet apart. Wave to each other.

Dorm Pizza night -- not happening. No lounges (converted to rooms) Maybe set up tables outside and everyone eat pizza, have some ice cream? (Standing far apart from each other because of no masks).

Go back to your dorm room; fire up the computer and start logging in to Zoom meetings; attend classes almost all online, maybe one class in person.

Time for lunch -- head to the meal hall and pick up a grab and go sandwich. Time for dinner -- head to the meal hall and pick up a grab and go dinner. Or sit at a table all by yourself far away from everyone else, with plexiglass between you and the others?

And then... probably in early October maybe earlier ... the state county or town is shut down again because out of control COVID. Students have to SIP in their dorm rooms basically. No contact with outside world? Or go back home if they can?

It just doesn't sound like a good experience.

Honestly, it’s better than 3 months stuck at home in your room, with zoom your only connection to peers (which was spring experience.) Sure, this fall should start better at home than during stay- at-home orders, but all of the HS friends are going to be focused on their own college experiences, not clinging to remnants of a senior year that flopped. If college finances or health issues are a concern for a family, staying home makes sense. But otherwise, we are going to make the best of a bad situation.
Anonymous
Post 07/08/2020 21:42     Subject: Re:Your college freshmen plan?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:DD will be staying home from college to take online classes and commuting 1 or 2 days a week up to campus to go to in-person classes. We live about an hour away from campus.


Why did you make that decision? Or why did she?



That sounds like a great way to save money. DD said she’d totally stay home and do virtual if her college allowed it. We are super tight on funds.





Our college doesn’t permit that arrangement at least for freshmen. If choose not to live on campus, then classes have to be online.
Anonymous
Post 07/08/2020 21:35     Subject: Your college freshmen plan?
Anonymous wrote:My kids school is billing the fall as a "chance of a lifetime to be part of something bigger than oneself and come together to work as a community...."


Wow. Werkin’ it them pr gurls.