<p>I just got back from a vacation, hopefully in time to wish all the best for the new Williams class and their families, who will be heading off to First Days in a couple of days. I hope your experience will be as wonderful as ours has been lo these past two years. Can't believe I've got a Junior already! Enjoy! It goes by quickly.</p>
<p>Have fun you guys! Wish I could be there with you!</p>
<p>Whoo hoo!!! Mo' East here i come!</p>
<p>We're on the road headed east already with the car full to the brim and bicycle hanging off the back. Niagara Falls today, Cooperstown tomorrow, and at last, Williamstown on Tuesday! D was sentimental leaving home but looking forward to a great adventure for the next 4 years. We're stocking up on Kleenex for the long trip home.</p>
<p>COOLS I second you! Whoo hoo!!! Mo' East here I come!</p>
<p>Moooo moooo east! :-)</p>
<p>OK, spill you parents. What did Morty and Dean Roseman have to say this time? How was the move-in?</p>
<p>Just a quick note before running out to work... Got back last night from the beautiful purple mountains. After several emotional weeks of getting all choked up about first S leaving, especially while reading threads on Parents Forum, we made the trip up to Williams to drop off S. The last tears shed were at the Parents Orientation. The speakers, including Morty (wow, we're on a first-name basis already) and Dean Roseman were wonderful - comforting and inspiring. </p>
<p>Morty, aka president of Williams, was taking his first-born off to college directly following the orientation, so he was especially empathetic. He referred to WSJ article on 'helicoptor parents' with some annoyance. He pointed out that without involved parents, most of our kids, would not be up in Williamstown right now. He didn't expect us to suddenly become uninvolved, but pointed out the 'good' and 'bad' ways to be involved. 'Good' = encourage student to take risks in choosing courses, and try something new. 'Bad' = calling the president of college to complain son isn't getting enough playing time on varsity sport (apparently this happened last year).</p>
<p>Dean Roseman assured us that 90% of freshman, at some point over the next few weeks, will come to the conclusion that they or the admissions department had made a huge mistake in letting them come to Williams. And that they will have no clue what's going on in at least one of their courses. But she also assured us that after 4-6 weeks they figure everything(?) out and beome real college students. I found this very comforting and walking out of Chapin Hall had a renewed conviction that this place was the best possible launching point for my S and his new life. </p>
<p>No tears since, of course I haven't been in his room...</p>
<p>Librarymom,
Thanks for sharing! I do now recall, from speaking to Mimi Schapiro at our own First Days in 03, that their son was beginning to look at schools back then. I commented at the time that it must be very strange to be the president of such a school, and be in the position of a parent with a student entering the selection process. Do you know where he ended up? I wonder what Mimi's CC screen name was. :)</p>
<p>I do recall Morty (I hate calling him that, but everyone does) saying to us: Congratulations...you got your kids into Williams. It was another way of commenting approvingly on parental involvement. He also noted that now his challenge would be to convince all these hyper overachievers that it's OK get a B, Ok to take risks and try things they've never tried before. They're in.</p>
<p>Dean Roseman was quite poignant and eloquent, predicting that for most of us, our first stop when we got home would be our kid's room. There, she said, you'll feel their presence for a long time to come, but hopefully the thought that they're here with us in this beautiful valley will alleviate any sadness. Then she said, with wonderfully humorous bluntness: "And now, it's time for you to go. I know it's hard to believe, but IT'S REALLY TIME FOR YOU TO GO."</p>
<p>I hope you'll be able to return for Freshman parents' weekend in October. It's a wonderful time to be there, and seeing your son for the first time after two months of acclimating will be a real thrill. The college puts on a great program for parents. Book your hotel room NOW.</p>
<p>driver,
Just returned yesterday.</p>
<p>I heard (third hand or so) that Morty's son is going to Tufts. Interestingly, during our time at Williams this week, we met the Dean of Admissions from another highly ranked LAC dropping his son off for First Days as well. It seems that a lot of kids had the same negative list my D had titled "Too Close to Home" - even those whose parents are high level staff at great schools.</p>
<p>Clayleas,
yeah, it's funny how that works, particularly in a small town like W, although I did meet one parent during first days....and then encountered him again, teaching one of my daughter's classes during family weekend.</p>