<p>So DD accepted Furman's offer and will be a freshman there this fall! She is incredibly excited, as are we. Anyone have any advice to share? Any "wish-I'd-known-this-earlier" tips? Any stories or "what I like best about Furman" tales to fire her up even more?</p>
<p>And thanks to all who answered our questions during the decision making process!</p>
<p>well congrats. You and you’re daughter will be very happy with the decision.</p>
<p>On the Furman website there’s the “Freshmen Journals” in admissions tab that can give you a pretty good idea of what the first year is like. Also there’s a Facebook group “Furman 2013”</p>
<p>As far as getting pumped up, Orientation is alot of fun. just take it a day at a time, theres something new and interesting around every turn. before you know it, football season will start and parents weekend too! Your daughter must be very accomplished. This will be a great time for her to do all the things shes always wanted to explore. all sorts of different clubs, living in a country club like place with pools, sand volleyball courts, tennis courts, jogging trails, golf course, new gym and more. and she will meet some of the best friends she will ever have not to mention a potential future life partner!</p>
<p>geez, I’m getting so excited I was I were 30 years younger and starting college all over again! best of luck. it will be the best 4 years of your life (but perhaps also the hardest)</p>
<p>Congratulation on your daughter’s decision-George is right-she will have a wonderful four years if she takes advantage of all the school has to offer. I remember that you asked about Engaged Living awhile ago-did she decided to apply for that program? As their freshman years draws to a close, both of our kids are glad they chose to participate in that program. As I remember, some of the sections within Engaged Living had spaces availalbe in May-but not all.</p>
<p>As for future advice-here is a little bit of a “blend” from our kids and myself relative to choosing courses during your first year. Have your daughter familiarize herself with ratemyprofessor.com; our daughter’s advisor shared this with her group of students during orientation and it has actually been a valuable tool in choosing good professors. The academic rigor of Furman is much more significant than many students realize or expect when they arrive on campus. ( I believe the higher acceptance rate has deluded parents/students in the past.) Remember the transition to college is filled with many great things, but is also challenging-time management, professor expectations, etc. The number of GER’s required by the Furman curriculum can be taken over 4 years-and DO NOT have to be taken in one year ( I do not even think they realistically can be scheduled )- so remind your daughter to pace herself. She will spend plenty of time in the library, but as George says, football season will be there before you know it, and there are so many great things to do in the fall, so achieiving a study+social balance is really important.</p>
<p>One more thing on the academic perspective that caught our two off guard ( and is important if your child has a merit -based scholarship): Furman has a graduated GPA system, e.g. - and +'s, so a B comes in 3 sizes or flavors and can mean anythings from a 3.2 to a 2.8. </p>
<p>The week of orientation is really great-parents will be involved for about 1 and 1/2 days-attending workshops, meeting your daugnter’s advisor, RA, etc. The actual movie-in is VERY well-coordinated-you literally drive-up next to the dorm and are met by a group of 2-3 upper classmen who will literally unload and move ALL of your daughter’s things into her dorm room-regardless of the floor she is on! Just like a professional moving company. What a total surprise and delight. You can PM me if you’d like, and I can give you advice on the things we learned we needed for the dorms that have made life so much better.</p>
<p>The social part of orientation will be great for your DD-they have a Shoe Dance-each of the girls puts a shoe in a basket and boys on a floor in the same dorm draw a girls shoe-that match determines who your "date is for one of the evening eventrs during orientation week. There is also a “MyTiie” Dance-where you send a friend to ask a boy for his tie-the tie of a boy you want to take to fhe dance that is held at the President’s house the last part of orienitation. Last year, I used those occasions to spend some time with both of our kids for some special shopping trips before we left for school.</p>
<p>The other thing our kids wanted me to mention is for your DD to be sure she attends 4 CLP’s during Fall semester- 8 are required to become a sophomore. There are tons of wonderful speakers, exhibits, concerts every week at Furman that meet the CLP criteria so it is easy to meet the requirement if you keep it as a priority.</p>
<p>Welcome to a wonderful school with incredible faculty and students!</p>
<p>Georgiatwins,</p>
<p>What advice do you have for freshman moving into the dorms? </p>
<p>“I can give you advice on the things we learned we needed for the dorms that have made life so much better.”</p>
<p>The advice would be good regardless of your S or D is attending Furman.</p>
<p>Congratulations! This past (freshman) year has been the best year of our d’s life! From what she’s mentioned, tell your d to be friendly, open to new ideas, get involved in many things to see what you like. Take advantage of the area - Greenville, the mountains, the campus. Find friends that will go “do” things with you - my d has friends that go hiking, but different friends that like to go downtown to study. Branch out. Don’t be afraid to do something by yourself - my d has enjoyed service actvities and even went camping with the outdoors club overnight even though she didn’t know a soul! Also, things like Habitat for Humanity are worth a try. There’s just SO much going on, but only if you take advantage of it. Some (few I think) don’t do much and don’t seem as happy. I agree, though, start the year off strong with hitting the books. Like Georgia Twins says, take advantage of professors (strongly recommend visiting professors at office hours) and the free learning center. My daughter detests math so she does her homework at the learning center in case, or when, she needs help (OK, she’s amazing herself with a current A avg by doing it this way). Look at the Academic Records site through furman.edu and print a copy of the form for GERs - you’ll then have some knowledge of what you’ll need to take. The schedule you are given is just a starting point. It’s easy to change things once you arrive on campus, so don’t panic. Oh yeah, remember, there is Walmart and Target in Greenville, and Publix is close by! However, bulletin boards sell out quickly, so bring one from home! Think about prescriptions over the summer - we got new prescriptions and set our D up at Publix so she could get her own refills directly. You will want some sort of chair or the little couch things that Walmart sells (some dorms have something already - check the housing site and look). If you want a loft, order early (you’ll get info). However, the beds can go quite high so you can store lots of stuff underneath even if you don’t get a loft. Keep your dorm room door open when you’re hanging out, go visit others on your hall, and ask someone who is by themselves to go do something with you and your friends.</p>
<p>SouCar Mom’s advice is tremendous! Ditto on the advice of finding friends with your common interests-especially if your child enjoys things outdoors and they will “do things”-our D loves to hike and as Sou Car Mom sas the Greenville area has incredible mountains and trails within a 30-45 drive. S’s Environmental science class spend one afternoon last week at a mountain “watershed” area that he said was really beautiful-3 hours conductiing an outdoor lab. Have you daughter check out the Heller Service Corp. at Furman. S has gotten involved 2nd semester with the Big Brothers and has a 7 year old child he now serves as the big brother for-he truly loves this program and the staff at Heller are great. One caution-advisors cautioned our kids to go slowly with “formal” activities the first semester -so your D does not need to sign up for every organization in August or lose her chance for her entire freshman year. Also-STRONGLY AGREE with SouCar Mom to take advantage of prof. office hours-most keep regular hours and for our 2 those times have been invaluable. Here is a little story from D’s first year writing seminar professor ( Shakespeare Dramas and Comedies) " You may think you are all excellent writers, but judging from these first drafts, that is not the case. With hard work, we can hopefully, improve your ability." DD met with professor 1-2 per week fall semester developing thesis paper-each time they met he would tell her has potential for a B-, then B, - always upping the “ante” and what he wanted. I thought DD was a terrific writer when she entered Furman, but I have to admit her papers/writing now are amazing-so take full advantage of their availability!!!</p>
<p>Future Chem Dad-Did not know if every one would want our list but glad to provide our items/ideas:</p>
<p>First-if you are coming from any distance-St. Louis-California-Bed, Bath and Beyond has an order ( online) and pick-up at a local store service. There is a BB & B in Greenville and that service works well for a lot of people who do not want to arrange to ship sheets, towels, mattress pads, etc. Their website has pretty much everything you need to set up a dorm room-extra long sheets, mattress pads, towels, etc. We purchased a memory foam mattress topper for each child’s bed which made the dorm mattress MUCH more comfortable. Even though it did mot come in an XL length our kids say it has been a life saver. Most kids coordinate colors, themes with roommates-in our case S’s roommate is very conscious of the way their room looks. We purchased comfortable desk chairs in Greenville and had Furman store the straight back desk chair ( space can get tight once kids put things they want in room). Most kids put one book shelf per student in their room. There is a Staples store at the Cherrydale shopping center ( 1 mile or so from campus) that has desk chairs, office supplies etcstore has become a favorite of our family. From BB&B order or buy in Greenville several large plastic containers with lids ( or without) that students can store additional clothing, food, shoes, supplies under bed or in closet. Our kids have about 4 each-at least 3 with lids. Buy and take with you the dual sided tack tape from 3M ( it has a green and white diagonal stripe) that students can hang posters and pictures on walls-stores run out quickly. If your D has posters and pictures she loves, make sure if she wants to hange on the wall they are fairly light because the 3M tape does not support 10 pound objects ( SouCar Mom may have different options). also get some of the new 3M hooks with adhesive for the closets to hang robes, towels, etc. Buy/order a shower curtain or drape to fit closet opening and bring hooks to hang it-you use this to close off closet entrance. Many kids use this as a color decorating option with their room. FU says it has to flame resistant-D’s roommate mother did not follow that -and do not know how many families do. You do not need a shower rod, since the grommets or whatever they are called are on the bar-just the hooks to attach the shower curtain. Most girls I have seen bring a make-up mirror, since sharing the mirror in the rooms in the morning can be a hassle. Our d bought a floor lamp to put by her bed that would direct light towards the ceiling-it makes for a softer reading atmosphere at night and her roommate had brought one with her. Another thought-many girls bring throw rungs ( if rooms have carpet) and pillows (decorative) for their beds. If your D will want those or feel “left out” if roommate has them and she doesn’t-plan ahead. Many kids bring TV’s-usually one roommate brings TV and other may bring video game console or stereo system. FU provides basic cable which has a huge number of channels. Laundry: remind your child that the dryers can be very hot-purchase a drying rack for his/her room for special clothes ( or in our case, some really $$ jeans). There is a dry cleaners in the Publix shopping center, and in the Cherrydale shopping area there is a Walgreens Drug store, Radio Shack, Old Navy, Bath and Body Works, TJ MAXX, Chick-Fil-A. Buy a “just-in case” supply of Raid ant spray and those little ant box traps. Apparently there are often ant problems in the fall when kids leave food out in the dorms-unfortunately they often occur when maintenance staff is on a skeleton crew and spraying a room is low on the list-I know since it happened to both our kids in the same week. Last thing-don’t forget one of the dry erase boards with a magnet that goes on the dorm room door- should have a pen-so that people can leave messages for your DD and her roommate. Enjoy!!</p>
<p>here’s some advice about moving into dorms rooms:</p>
<p>1) if possible get there early; although we always showed up at the end and it still wasnt bad. the reason to get there early is that the RAs will help you move in. They get worn out as the day goes on.
2) some students move in early if they are part of band for example. try to find out who your roommate will be and ask if they are moving in early. this is a great source of information over what to expect.
3) bring a quick change of clothes or a raincoat. it poured one year we moved in. the other 7 though were great
4) bring a small cooler with drinks you will need them
5) definetly dress light and comformatable. no high heels for you dad and go light on the make-up
6) if you have a son, (sorry for the machoism) you probably wont need to dress up the room too much. If you have a daughter though, there are some parents that go above and beyond and some rooms will look like they should be in some home decoration magazine. If you are coming from a long way away, I wouldnt bring too much. There’s a Lowes, walmart, not too far. Lowes is towards greenville and walmart is towards travelers rest. If you are going to walmart go out the back get its a little closer. but here’s the main advice: if you are going to buy a TV, futon, or chair, GO GET IT EARLY. they will sell out quickly. Keep in mind that whatever goes in the room MUST also come out at the end of the school year. If you live very far away you can rent a storage shed that is not too far from Furman (you’ll see it on the left driving to Furman from Gville). they are very good to students and it costs something like 30$/mth. some students get together and share a room which we did one year and it was fine.
7) every room will have a TV (someone needs to bring one). get in contact with the roommate and work out who will bring what. ex; I’ll bring the TV you get the futon, etc
8) bring a small tool kit with the basics. a knife, scissors, screwdrivers, wrenches, a hammer, etc. a battery powered tool would be nice
9) you can get this at the lowes or walmart but you will need something to hang things. we used little stickon hooks for the curtain rods. also the cable for the computer can not be on the floor or under the carpet. students use duck tape or hooks to hang the cable up the wall and and back down to where the computer is. Yea, it looks pretty dicey at first but after a few days it becomes part of the motiff. anyway, after a few weeks all the work you did on the room will be gone and it will look like, well, probably how your childs room looks today if mom and dad were not on them to clean it up occassionally.
10a) if you have alot to move in, bring a dolly if you have one. This is a good investment especially if you get one freshman year. you will use it many many times and especially when you move into the apts and need to move furniture
10) here’s good advice; take some time to get to know your roommates parents. not going to dinner and anything but just small chit chat. where r u from, what do you do, try to find something in common. exchange phone numbers if you like. no sense in being awkward everytime you see them. there will be times when you visit your child and they will not be there and vice versa. It is nice to know that they will treat you child just like you would treat theirs.
11) here’s the last bit of advice; as a parent you’ve always wanted the best for your child. and this may be the first time you leave them alone for the first time. I know for me that drive home was a LONG one. As a dad, I lost it a time or two. looking back on it I wish I hadnt stress about it as much as I did. Furman is a great place and school and they really try to take care of your child. So for move in day, its doesnt have to be perfect, do what you can. If it doesnt work out just right, you will visit many many other times and you can fix it then. and oh… bring a hanky for the drive home. all the best</p>
<p>Yes, the ride home is tough, but two weeks later all stress was gone - friends were already made, knew her way around, ate meals with her hall, liked her classes, and actually got up on time for morning classes. </p>
<p>A couple more suggestions: the kids LOVE their bikes. We didn’t think our d would ever ride hers, but once we took it up there, she’s ridden it to every class to save five minutes. Bring a lock and use it - the kids “borrow” unlocked bikes to ride them to class and they are hard to relocate. Also, if you don’t have one, buy a light weight rain coat, rain boots, and an umbrella. They will need it all. Also a winter coat if you are from the south - it IS cold in the winter, even though it’s SC. OH, and it’s OK to wear running shorts and T shirts all the time, much to my d’s relief. Warn them about the freshman 15, but really you can’t do much about that - WAY too much food available in the DH. the HES course first semester might help, but d didn’t take it yet. Encourage them to stay (or get) in shape while they are there.</p>
<p>that reminds me about the bikes. they have to be registered or they will get confiscated by the FU police. About a week or two into the semester they hold an auction at the stadium with all the confiscated bycycles, there are rows and rows of them. if you do this make sure your child knows what a good deal is. you can get a bike at walmart for about 60-100$. I’ve heard that some kids pay more than this at the auction becuase they get carried away</p>
<p>Wow, what an outpouring of great advice! I’m going to print out this page so we don’t forget anything. If the students at FU are as kind as their parents here on CC, my D is in for a wonderful four years!</p>
<p>George2007–Thanks for the heads up about RA’s helping. I will probably be the one traveling with my daughter, so it’s good to know we’ll be able to find some strong arms to help if we need it. And that’s a great tip about bringing a small tool kit. Is it a rule that the computer cords can’t be on the floor?</p>
<p>I agree with you–I almost wish I were the one going back to college! </p>
<p>SouCar Mom–D is interested in the Health Sciences engaged living program, but the housing request form won’t be posted until mid-May. Thanks for all the advice about GERs and extra curriculars. Do we get to choose classes over the summer, or do they do this at orientation?</p>
<p>A question about dress–we read/heard that the girls tend to dress up for class (ie. pearls, skirts, sundresses). Is this the norm? It sounds like you’re saying it is okay to wear jeans/sweats/T’s most of the time? How many fancy dresses do they need for formals, etc?</p>
<p>Georgiatwins–Tons of great advice! I will definitely stress going to office hours. It’s nice to know there is free tutoring if there is a need. The important thing is not to wait until it’s too late!</p>
<p>I’m going to take your list with us to the store when we do the college shopping. Question about bathrooms–any advice about whether it’s better to be in a dorm with a suite bathroom vs. a hall bathroom? I read somewhere that it can be a hassle waiting for a shower with a suite bathroom, whereas that hardly ever happens with a hall bathroom. If D. goes for the Engaged Living option, it won’t matter, since they all live in Poteat, I believe, but just wondered if your kids had any experience with it.</p>
<p>Thanks again for everyone’s help. Senior Prom was last night, and all D has now is 19 more days of classes and 3 AP exams. As soon as those tests are over, it’s time to go shopping and get excited about Furman. :)</p>
<p>yes the computer cords can not be on the fall. fire hazard.</p>
<p>as far as dressing to go to class. I think at the start of the year they dress fairly nice. the last time I was there (abt 1 month ago) they were in gym shorts and PJs.</p>
<p>I think most folks settle to jeans and t-shirts</p>
<p>they dress up (sun dresses) for the football games. if she joins a sorority whe will have a few formals to go to but that wont be until the spring.</p>
<p>You’ll complete an initial course election process over the summer through which she’ll select preferences for classes. There’s only four classes at a time, so you can’t take everything. Also she’ll go through a lot to get her computer ready. The computer part is a pain, but don’t worry about it. When you go for orientation, if anything isn’t right, you just take your computer to a central location and they have lots of students who can get everything loaded that you didn’t do right, in minutes! It’s not worth the time of figuring it out too much at home if you have trouble. The initial course election process includes “chosing” freshman seminar classes, or at least chosing favorites and ruling out others, and also taking a language (and math I think if you are taking calc) test online that places you in the correct level. So, you’ll get your schedule before you get to Furman, but can change it after you get there, so don’t worry. However, I think the foreign language level sticks. My D reviewed Spanish before she took her online test since she wanted to get a higher level (it worked), but some would rather get a lower level anyway. </p>
<p>Interesting that I’ve never heard of the computer cable issue - my D has hers draped through the middle of the floor of her room - probably depends how much the specific RAs enforce the rule. </p>
<p>Oh, the orientation team WILL unload your car - if you are driving, you won’t lift a finger, just go park the car (they’ll tell you where) after they unload everything and carry it into her room. We were totally amazed. Of course, this is only for freshmen - we’ll surely miss it next year! Dresses… She’ll need a couple for orientation dances like the my tie, and probably some (or same ones) later on, but don’t buy anything you don’t already have, unless she’s into it. Whatever she doesn’t bring can always be borrowed - there are dozens of other freshmen girls on her hall, so clothes are plentiful! Look back through the freshman journals and you’ll see some pictures from the beginning of the year dances. You’ll also get an e-mail about a website just for new students that will tell you everything you need to do, so don’t worry. Also, you’ll be informed about the bike registration. Take your bike with you or write down the serial number when you register it at public safety on campus, since you’ll need it. You’ll register a car if she’s taking one also, I think over the summer, and also send in the picture for her ID. Don’t worry, you just go through the list. </p>
<p>I never heard about dressing up for class, but my D is a free spirit anyway. However, I don’t think that was the norm or I surely would have heard about it. Oh, D waited fairly late to register for Engaged Living, but still got in the only one she wanted, but don’t take the chance. It is a great program with GREAT kids, so if she’s interested, complete it early. Plus, if she goes into Engaged Living, she will automatically get registered for that class. She’ll then have that class, her freshman seminar, and just two others that she’ll get through the ICE process. </p>
<p>Furman was great about communication last summer, so I’m sure you’ll be bombarded with information before too long. Congrats again, and good luck to your D on those APs! Those were VERY stressful days in our house! It is kind of nice to have the stress AWAY from the house now, probably for all of us :)</p>
<p>My D was advised by an upperclassman friend that while a semi-private bathroom may sound good, students actually meet people easier and socialize more in a dorm with a hall bath as this gets them out into the hall. This is probably more true for girls than boys since they may congregate more in a bathroom.</p>
<p>My D also does wear skirts and dresses to class at least half the time. This is because she likes to though, not because she feels she has to. She has been in a sorority this spring and they are required to dress nicely one day a week. She did need nicer dresses for My Tie and the Homecoming Dance in the fall.</p>
<p>To George2007, Georgiatwins, and SouCar Mom,</p>
<p>Thanks so much for posting all this detailed, insightful advice!</p>
<p>Go, Paladins!</p>
<p>(It’s going to take me a while to get used to the other cheer. 
)</p>
<p>I also want to add my thanks for all the wonderful information. Your advice is very helpful and definitely appreciated. Here’s another question – We live in the Northeast so we’ll be coming to Furman by plane. Will we have the option of shipping our daughter’s things by UPS and having them held for move-in day?</p>
<p>GRITS80, just another new parent here, but I believe the Furman website says shipped boxes will be held until move in. Try looking on the housing page under “Mail.” I know I saw it on the housing pages somewhere.</p>
<p>Congrats to you and your D. Has she checked out the Class of 2013 facebook page yet? It’s a good way for the kids to meet some of their future classmates.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! This is wonderful info. We are from Ohio and my daughter is thrilled about going to Furman!</p>
<p>We were able to ship boxes ahead last year. They needed to be labeled with your student’s name, the Furman address and marked “ATTN: FACILITIES SERVICES”. You might want to check with the housing department to be sure that will still be the case this year. We shipped several boxes and a bike. In retrospect, we should have just bought a bike at the bike sale.</p>
<p>Your post was very informative! Can you tell me if parents are involved in any way AFTER the moving in? Do we just go home that night or are there things for parents to do the next day? I’ll do anything to delay that drive home…</p>