Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For anyone contributing to this thread who has kids at the colleges mentioned, are your kids happy?

Just asking because I have a HS senior, and from what I'm hearing, my friends with kids who are college freshmen are pretty miserable, regardless of how the college is handling things. Then again, most of my friends' kids' aren't doing much in person learning.

I think it all depends on your frame of reference. My DD is a freshman, and understands that because there is a pandemic going on, these are her choices: (1) hang out at home watching classes on zoom and trying to meet/connect with new classmates virtually; (2) try to figure out something for a gap year that is actually feasible during a pandemic; or (3) go to campus, wear your mask, accept that some of your classes may be online, that you’ll be getting takeout meals instead of sitting in the cafeteria, the fitness center may be closed, activities like sports may be curtailed, etc.

If your kid goes in expecting a typical freshman experience full of parties and other activities, they will be severely disappointed. But that isn’t one of their choices right now. If they go in expecting that they might need to work hard to get out and meet people, that friendships will be more challenging to establish from 6 feet way, etc, then they will be a lot happier. They can still play frisbee and spike ball, go for a run, maybe attend outdoor fitness classes or other activities, etc.

I get really tired of the endless Facebook posts from parents complaining that their kid is miserable because they are alone and “locked in their rooms” all day. No one is forcing them to stay in their rooms. Few of the freshmen have any friends when they arrive. Putting out inquiries like “hey, who wants to go grab dinner with me?” on social media/chat groups or even just walking outside your dorm and asking the same question will likely get lots of enthusiastic responses.

Might be a little different if your kid is an introvert though. Mine is very extroverted.

That's exactly what my kid did. She met a lot of people that way and then eventually found her friend group. She felt the same way about her decision to not do a gap year. She felt that whatever was waiting for her on campus was going to be better than what she could come up with staying home.

Anonymous wrote:For anyone contributing to this thread who has kids at the colleges mentioned, are your kids happy?

Just asking because I have a HS senior, and from what I'm hearing, my friends with kids who are college freshmen are pretty miserable, regardless of how the college is handling things. Then again, most of my friends' kids' aren't doing much in person learning.

We have a freshman living on campus who is perfectly happy. She would prefer to be going to all classes in person, but is thankful that one class is in person at least. She has made friends with several kids in her dorm and it sounds like they are a pretty tight group. They wear their masks, spend lots of time outside, have movie nights, walk to the local bubble tea place, and she is applying for a summer program and an on campus job. She and her friends have been sad to miss out on the school’s fun traditions, but they are making the best of being together. She wasn’t a big partier in HS so she isn’t missing the big college party aspect of the experience.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For anyone contributing to this thread who has kids at the colleges mentioned, are your kids happy?

Just asking because I have a HS senior, and from what I'm hearing, my friends with kids who are college freshmen are pretty miserable, regardless of how the college is handling things. Then again, most of my friends' kids' aren't doing much in person learning.

College freshman is miserable. Is currently on 2nd quarantine because someone on his floor tested positive again. He is following all the rules so it is very frustrating. Wants to come home because he hasn't met his tribe because not much socialization is going on. In retrospect, thinking he should have taken a gap year. Might consider it in the spring.

A gap year makes zero sense during a pandemic. It's not like other countries are fully open for the travel experience, or even here similar. I'd do community college if the costs bother you.

A gap year doesn't have to abroad. The gap year can be a year at home with a job.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For anyone contributing to this thread who has kids at the colleges mentioned, are your kids happy?

Just asking because I have a HS senior, and from what I'm hearing, my friends with kids who are college freshmen are pretty miserable, regardless of how the college is handling things. Then again, most of my friends' kids' aren't doing much in person learning.

College freshman is miserable. Is currently on 2nd quarantine because someone on his floor tested positive again. He is following all the rules so it is very frustrating. Wants to come home because he hasn't met his tribe because not much socialization is going on. In retrospect, thinking he should have taken a gap year. Might consider it in the spring.

A gap year makes zero sense during a pandemic. It's not like other countries are fully open for the travel experience, or even here similar. I'd do community college if the costs bother you.

Anonymous wrote:For anyone contributing to this thread who has kids at the colleges mentioned, are your kids happy?

Just asking because I have a HS senior, and from what I'm hearing, my friends with kids who are college freshmen are pretty miserable, regardless of how the college is handling things. Then again, most of my friends' kids' aren't doing much in person learning.

I'm the OP. My kid is pretty happy although the first few days were rough. They were all quarantining so there were no formal activities to meet people. But, she met her friends and she's happy and enjoying being on campus. Her school has mostly in person classes and activities. They had their first COVID case so we'll see if anything changes.

Anonymous wrote:For anyone contributing to this thread who has kids at the colleges mentioned, are your kids happy?

Just asking because I have a HS senior, and from what I'm hearing, my friends with kids who are college freshmen are pretty miserable, regardless of how the college is handling things. Then again, most of my friends' kids' aren't doing much in person learning.

My kid is happy. He's a jr. He certainly wasn't happy at home in my house. Now he is doing on-line learning in an apartment with his two best friends. He would be happier if things were normal, but he's realistic.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For anyone contributing to this thread who has kids at the colleges mentioned, are your kids happy?

Just asking because I have a HS senior, and from what I'm hearing, my friends with kids who are college freshmen are pretty miserable, regardless of how the college is handling things. Then again, most of my friends' kids' aren't doing much in person learning.

I think the happiness increases the more senior the student is. Freshman arrive with no friends, in a strange place, with no activities available and are therefore likely to be unhappy. Upperclassmen already have a network of friends that they have missed seeing the last 6 months, know their routines, have off-campus activities they enjoy, more access to cars, etc. and therefore find it easier to adapt to the new restrictions.

I'd agree with that. My DS is a junior. He's living off campus with two other classmates - much further away from campus than he'd like. He has a car and goes onto campus a couple of times a week to use the dining hall, go to the gym, study in the library. He was disappointed that all of his classes are online - his roommates both have at least one class in person. However, he tells me he is MUCH happier being near campus and being able to see his friends than being stuck in his bedroom here at home. None of his friends from high school are at home, they've all returned to school.

He and his roommates are discussing if they are going to move back onto campus in the spring. Originally, they wanted to be back on campus but are now thinking of just staying in their apartment because of all the restrictions on campus. They lucked into a month to month lease so they just extend the lease each month if they want. They don't have to wear their mask 16 hours a day like they would if they were living on campus. School is requiring mask wearing anytime you are not in your own dorm room - so even outside they have to wear a mask.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:U of Alabama and U South Carolina

They are on the if you can’t see it, it must not exist philosophy.

LOL.

Easy to laugh but some of the southern schools appear to have spiked and are dropping. Too soon to tell but it’s worth watching to see if they are our version of Sweden

Maybe. But some of the drop can be attributed to quarantines. Many students at these schools were quarantined for 14 days. But maybe it is the rest they need to get back on track.

Could be. Though I suspect it’s sort of a small version of society where there’s a portion who’s not going to be able to follow the rules and the ability of the ones who will follow to break the spread won’t really come until the first set reaches a high enough immunity threshold

Anonymous wrote:For anyone contributing to this thread who has kids at the colleges mentioned, are your kids happy?

Just asking because I have a HS senior, and from what I'm hearing, my friends with kids who are college freshmen are pretty miserable, regardless of how the college is handling things. Then again, most of my friends' kids' aren't doing much in person learning.

It isn't ideal for shy kids.

Anonymous wrote:For anyone contributing to this thread who has kids at the colleges mentioned, are your kids happy?

Just asking because I have a HS senior, and from what I'm hearing, my friends with kids who are college freshmen are pretty miserable, regardless of how the college is handling things. Then again, most of my friends' kids' aren't doing much in person learning.

College freshman is miserable. Is currently on 2nd quarantine because someone on his floor tested positive again. He is following all the rules so it is very frustrating. Wants to come home because he hasn't met his tribe because not much socialization is going on. In retrospect, thinking he should have taken a gap year. Might consider it in the spring.

Anonymous wrote:For anyone contributing to this thread who has kids at the colleges mentioned, are your kids happy?

Just asking because I have a HS senior, and from what I'm hearing, my friends with kids who are college freshmen are pretty miserable, regardless of how the college is handling things. Then again, most of my friends' kids' aren't doing much in person learning.

I think it all depends on your frame of reference. My DD is a freshman, and understands that because there is a pandemic going on, these are her choices: (1) hang out at home watching classes on zoom and trying to meet/connect with new classmates virtually; (2) try to figure out something for a gap year that is actually feasible during a pandemic; or (3) go to campus, wear your mask, accept that some of your classes may be online, that you’ll be getting takeout meals instead of sitting in the cafeteria, the fitness center may be closed, activities like sports may be curtailed, etc.

If your kid goes in expecting a typical freshman experience full of parties and other activities, they will be severely disappointed. But that isn’t one of their choices right now. If they go in expecting that they might need to work hard to get out and meet people, that friendships will be more challenging to establish from 6 feet way, etc, then they will be a lot happier. They can still play frisbee and spike ball, go for a run, maybe attend outdoor fitness classes or other activities, etc.

I get really tired of the endless Facebook posts from parents complaining that their kid is miserable because they are alone and “locked in their rooms” all day. No one is forcing them to stay in their rooms. Few of the freshmen have any friends when they arrive. Putting out inquiries like “hey, who wants to go grab dinner with me?” on social media/chat groups or even just walking outside your dorm and asking the same question will likely get lots of enthusiastic responses.

Might be a little different if your kid is an introvert though. Mine is very extroverted.

Colgate tested everyone and did a universal 2-week quarantine, including the President. They have three active student cases and I think one among staff. As far as happiness, I know a couple of kids there and they're pretty happy. About as much as you'd expect... glad to be out of their parents' houses. They're in stage 1 of reopening now and will potentially go to 2 and 3 after two weeks in each, assuming few cases and good behavior. They bought a hotel to quarantine kids and it's barely used. I think there are far more of these stories than the bad ones, which of course the media love to cover.

Anonymous wrote:For anyone contributing to this thread who has kids at the colleges mentioned, are your kids happy?

Just asking because I have a HS senior, and from what I'm hearing, my friends with kids who are college freshmen are pretty miserable, regardless of how the college is handling things. Then again, most of my friends' kids' aren't doing much in person learning.

I think the happiness increases the more senior the student is. Freshman arrive with no friends, in a strange place, with no activities available and are therefore likely to be unhappy. Upperclassmen already have a network of friends that they have missed seeing the last 6 months, know their routines, have off-campus activities they enjoy, more access to cars, etc. and therefore find it easier to adapt to the new restrictions.

For anyone contributing to this thread who has kids at the colleges mentioned, are your kids happy?

Just asking because I have a HS senior, and from what I'm hearing, my friends with kids who are college freshmen are pretty miserable, regardless of how the college is handling things. Then again, most of my friends' kids' aren't doing much in person learning.

Hamilton has zero cases among students so far (a month in). Pre-testing, twice a week testing, pods, etc. seems to be working.