Back from Orientation

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Virginia
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<p>We just returned home from Session A orientation and I thought I'd write a quick review and see if anyone has any questions. This is from a parent perspective.</p>

<p>I dropped my son off at the Student Activity Building (right next to Scott's Stadium) for his 8:15 am check in. There is plenty of parking right there. Check in was quick and easy. My son checked in the right side of the building while the parent check in was on the left. Once he was checked in, we went to his assigned dorm (Gooch) to drop off his stuff, he made his bed and met a few of his suitmates. At that point, I left my son who had free time until 11 am when the organized activities began. My son went to Bodo's Bagels for some food, walked to find his assigned dorm for the fall, and made his way then to Old Cabel for the student welcome. I also had free time. The parents had lunch in the dining hall and then moved to Old Cabel at 12:30 for the parent program. There were orientation staff and students everywhere to point you in the right direction, answer questions, etc. They also had used chalk to write arrows, directions, etc. so it was easy to find your way around. Everything seemed very organized and well planned out.</p>

<p>As I was walking on the lawn, I saw many students in small groups, playing icebreaker games. Of course my son said they were just "ok", but it looked to me like most of the students were having fun! Once they finished there, the students went to the dining hall for lunch.</p>

<p>The parent program was in Old Cabell from about 12:30 to 3:45 or so. I was very imprssed with Dean Groves, the Dean of Students. What a funny and likeable man. He seems to have a great relationship with the students. Having another son already in college, spending time here on CC and using the UVA website a lot, I can't say that I learned anything new. But that said, I found the program very interesting and useful - especially if you're a new parent. They talked about everything from move-in day, keeping students safe, questions and answers to rising second year students, etc. There was a parent get together in the late afternoon/evening which I didn't go to but I'm sure it was nice.</p>

<p>My son spent time meeting people, working on his schedule and other activities. You get your registration time at check in. My son was one of the unlucky ones that was given a 2:30 pm time slot. So he spent a lot of time searching for alternate classes,etc. Thanks to everyone here on CC I was able to give him some good registration advice and assure him that it will be ok.</p>

<p>The second day of orientation was more of a breakout session day - where you can go to different sessions ranging from financial aid, to fraternity/sorority information, library tours, etc. They also had a sample dorm open to visit. I went to see one (my son will be in McCormick) and it was actually a bit larger than I expected. The students were able to attend any of the breakout sessions as well - although my son spent his morning hanging with friends, going to the dining hall and obsessing with checking SIS and Lou's List for open classes. They ran very behind in registration - so my son got there at 2 pm for his 2:30 registration, but didn't register until around 4 pm. He sat there watching class after class fill up. He couldn't get any Calculus 1210 classes so decided to try 1310 - although they all also filled. That being said, he is very pleased with his schedule. As you all have said, he may not have been able to get the classes he thought he wanted. But there were many others. He doesn't have any 8 am classes, and he doesn't have any classes on Fridays. Pretty good considering he registered at around 4 pm. He did have to substiture psychology for Anthropology, and he didn't get Comm 1800, but he will have other semesters to take that. He also ended up changing a few sections, and professors. He was four classes he's happy with - and then took a filler for a fifth that he's hoping to change - hopefully into a Calculus class if one opens in August.</p>

<p>My son called registration "madness", especially when there was a collective groan when Chemistry filled up. I will say though - that most classes seemed to stay open until around 1 pm or later. The most stressful part was once my son was registered, because it was so delayed, he felt very stressed trying to hurry back to check out by 5 pm, get his ID,etc. However, all in all he came home very thrilled with his decision to attend UVA - happy with most of his classes, and very excited for the year to begin. He thoroughly enjoyed the orientation and was so glad he went. I came home very impressed with the staff and students we met, and very pleased that we are joining the UVA family.</p>

<p>Let me know if you have any questions. Hope this helps some of you and enjoy orientation.</p>

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<p>Great post!</p>

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<p>Thanks - sorry for all the typos. Guess I went too fast.</p>

<p>I wanted to add that we also picked up his new computer from Cav Computers. They were very nice and helpful there - included the $100 gift card that apple is offering now (were weren’t expecting that!!) and they had it set up and ready when promised. I would definitely recommend them if anyone is still looking.</p>

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<p>Silly class registration question…My daughter will be attending Session C next week. She has worked on compiling various classes and “requested” far more than needed through SIS. A majority of classes were available at the time, but now a majority are wait listed. Was all that “requesting” really necessary? Did your son go through all that planning and if so, did it help him at all when it came to registering? Also, do you know if there was any flexibility with setting up the registration time? We have a 5:00 flight out of CHO & if she draws a late registration time & the day runs long, it could be a little tense for her.</p>

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<p>You probably should not have booked your flight for 5, however as a tiny airport you could probably get there at 4:30, maybe even 4:45, and still be OK. It is 30ish minutes up to the airport, if there is traffic on 29 take a left onto hydraulic road and follow it up through earlysville rd to the airport. I guess you will have to see what time she gets, and discuss it with them then, however if they were to make an exception for you then everyone would book their flights early to get a good registration time.</p>

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<p>I would suggest that you see if she can check out of her dorm and pick up the ID card before registration if she has a late time. That way, once she is done with registering, you can try to get to the airport quickly. I don’t think there’s much flexibility with the time you’re offered - but hopefully they won’t be running so far behind like yesterday.</p>

<p>My son spent a great deal of time researching classes and had an idea of options. Once he saw how late his time was, he knew he needed to find more. Also, they tell the kids they have to have a list of 20-25 classes ready to go before entering registration. They have them write them all down and an orientation leader looks over them. My son never put anything into SIS - he only had everything written down. Don’t worry too much about this though - they have 3 hours set aside the first afternoon to go over it with the kids and they’ll have time to work on their list.</p>

<p>I can’t stress enough that the scheduling works out. Again, my son had a terrible time and he was able to find classes that all met requirements. In addition, they make it very clear to the kids that once Aug 1st rolls around, there will be plenty of options available.</p>

<p>Also, keep in mind that some of those classes that you see are closed with waitlists will still have slots open for each orientation. They are full now from session A, but other slots are reserved for future orientation sessions so don’t give up hope.</p>

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<p>Thanks ljrfrm! It most definitely will work out and thank you for answering. Flight arrangements were made based on the 2:30 earliest time checkout. At the time 5:00 seemed like plenty of extra time. Now, well, not so much. We’ll just see how it all goes on day 2…</p>

<p>She has approx. 22 classes on a spreadsheet so I think she’s good to go. I appreciate your input and glimpse into what to expect. </p>

<p>hazelorb, thanks for the head’s up re: airport directions. Hindsight is always 20/20.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the post. Believe it or not, registration is easier than the old days when everyone was thrown into a steaming hot Mem Gym and they had to walk around in circles collecting computer punch cards, with no one providing any advice.</p>

<p>As noted above, keep in mind that there will be opportunities to take advantage of some openings in some classes when registration reopens and up through the first couple days of classes. Many people get classes through wait lists - just make sure you show up to class on the first day, or you could lose your wait list spot.</p>

<p>It is really a shame that the U. does not offer more sections of intro chem, with not-so-enormous class sizes. My son really enjoyed high school AP chemistry, and thought about becoming a chem major, but he really did not enjoy the way chemistry is taught at UVa.</p>

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<p>So true about the “old days”. I was just telling my son about my college registration - and waiting in long lines for each class you want to take. I remember waiting in lines just to get to the front to have the class fill right before me. I would spend hours memorizing the course catalog - highlighting the classes I needed to take. Registration was always by the last four digits of your social security number. My number seemed to always get the bad time!! And of course, we were on the trimester system, so I got to do it three times per year!!!</p>

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<p>We had a similar situation with flights in 2010 when our D went to orientation. We’re 20 hours away and our flight left early evening, but D’s assigned time was late afternoon. We simply told them, and she was able to get an earlier time.</p>

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<p>jc40, you describe our exact situation. I’m not sure if I even had a later flight option that wasn’t ridiculously later; I simply don’t remember. I plead “1st child” ignorance. I’ll be a pro by the time kid #2 is ready to go to college.</p>

<p>I was reminiscing with my kids about orientation class scheduling as well. I chose my general classes & the registrar/powers that be worked out the rest; and poorly. My 1st semester schedule was a bear. One 8 a.m. MWF class & four back to back TTH classes. Fridays were very good days though.</p>

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<p>If it isn’t your first child in college, I don’t think there is much to gain from being a parent at UVA orientation. Emotional support for your student, perhaps, but I think most kids will be fine on their own. You won’t see them or hear from them from the time you drop them until they are ready to go. The reality is that it’s a big state school. There isn’t going to be much support or hand holding from the school ant that’s ok. Maybe orientation serves as a reality check for parents. That is good for the school and the local economy.</p>

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<p>We were just talking about registration in the office today. </p>

<p>Rest assured, the first registration is the most stressful one. Once a student realizes that we really use the “drop/add” period here, they relax about not getting the perfect schedule the first time around. </p>

<p>Remember that a few seats open up for each session in certain classes. That class that looks full at the end of Session B will probably have seats open up for Session C.</p>

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<p>My son’s registration for his first semester 3rd year took 5 minutes. He got all the classes he wanted, and no classes on Friday. Get your required classes out of the way 1st year, and free up your schedule in future years for the more interesting/popular classes that are harder to get into.</p>

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<p>For those looking at scheduling first year classes: Every class that closed for my son in session A had seats open for session B, so it is definitely true that they reserve seats for future sessions.</p>

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<p>There is also a good deal of movement in early August when SIS opens up again and all the 2nd-4th year students start adding, dropping, and moving their schedules around. Even if you don’t want something in CLAS there may be movement in a first year SEAS course when someone else got a class in CLAS and shifted one of their SEAS classes, opening the spot you were looking for. There’s a huge chain reaction and a lot goes one before you even get to grounds. Pay attention to the first day(s), but keep checking back. S2 picked up the Calc2 section (much preferred prof) literally while we were driving to Cville for move in. A friend texted at odark30 when she saw the space. He was able to make the swap on 29S.</p>

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<p>Just back from Section C - nothing like an 8 hour drive home, with much of it in the rain (with no visibility going down mountain roads), to get the blood flowing!</p>

<p>S was fortunate to get an early registration slot, and got the schedule he wanted - although this was probably a bit easier to accomplish in SEAS than elsewhere. Thanks to those here who contributed suggestions on course options - his advisor thought the suggestions were very good as well. He will have 17 hours, but only 14 graded - so no opportunity for Dean’s List, but that’s never a given anyway so it’s a lower priority than a good first semester schedule.</p>

<p>Weather was hot, but orientation was nice and seemed well run. Day 1 was engaging and we met lots of great people. Day 2, like many parents there, was a day off for us - we visited Charlottesville instead while S registered. Got to meet his roommate and had lunch with him and his parents - very nice people from a place called “Nova” which according to other people from Virginia is somewhere out of state (jk) :slight_smile: Had dinner at the Virginian which was nice and lost 55 pounds walking uphill in every direction in the heat!</p>

<p>Hard to believe there’s only 4 weeks till he’ll be leaving. But the planning, worrying, and nervousness are all pretty much gone for him now - he’s registered, already has made a few friends and is mentally ready to go. In that regard, summer orientation was definitely a positive experience.</p>

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<p>Glad it went well for you - and your son! It’s great that his roommate had the same orientation and everyone can meet!!</p>

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<p>We also had a great time at Session C orientation. I especially enjoyed Tabitha and Dean Pattie (sp?) on Day 1 :slight_smile: We ordered DD’s laptop on June 29 and were told it wouldn’t be ready for Session C. Monday afternoon, though, I called just to check and found it was ready so anybody not expecting their laptop to be there may want to call–you might get lucky like we did. </p>

<p>Like grp2013, we also got to spend time with DD’s roommate. They had already met two weeks ago when we were all in the same town but they really had a great time hanging out Monday night. In fact, they had quite the experience their first time hanging out on the lawn…</p>

<p>DD, her new roomie and a boy from their group walked over to the lawn after the fitness center activities (around 11:45). They were sitting on one of the grassy terraces and wondered if they’d see any lawn streakers. They figured not since it was summer. They figured incorrectly! Two girls came streaking down the lawn and almost ran right into them. As the lead girl ran she shouted back to her friend to watch out for the terrace. The second girl was going too fast down the terrace and basically face planted on the ground right in front of DD and her friends. She was slow to get up so DD awkwardly asked if she needed any help. Luckily she didn’t and was able to get up and finish her run. Quite an experience for DD’s first night on Grounds! ;)</p>

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<p>LOL - your D definitely got the UVA experience at her orientation. This reminds me of Dean Groves’ streaking stories he told at orientation. You can always tell the first year students as they give their clothes to a friend to hold - they never make that mistake again! Or the time he said he saw some streakers slowly strolling across the lawn. What did he say?? I think it was the difference between a harmless prank and a crime PACE. In other words, hurry it up boys.</p>