<p>So...how's it going? The first years have been at HWS for a month now. What classes are they taking? Do they like their profs? How about the first-year seminars? What ECs are they pursing? Are they sorting out and establishing reliable friends? Are they balancing all the disparate aspects of college life pretty well or are they overloaded and overwhelmed and how are they coping? Any and all sharing is welcome.</p>
<p>CarolynB, as always, starting the thread at HWS…thanks! My DD is a freshman, and seems to be thoroughly enjoying her first month there. She’s taking Russian, Media & Society, Jazz, and her first year seminar. She seems to really like all her professors. Her HS teachers warned her class that college professors were going to be tough and inflexible, and she said she’s found them to be far more kind and supportive than she anticipated. She’s doing well in her classes (very upset about the B+on her first FYS paper tho, LOL). She had a very intense schedule (with time consuming ECs) in HS, so she’s managing just fine. She has, however, remarked on the kids that were less prepared, who seem to be struggling with time management and the workload. She did a pre-orientation trip, which was great and seems to be the backbone of her friendships. She’s remarked that she doesn’t particularly like her floor, but has been “adopted” by another floor in a dorm next door. She’s been to the Hillel for a number of Friday night dinners (very good home-cooked meals, according to her :)), she applied for a job with the communications department as a photographer and was hired on the spot (great job for her, as it requires attending all kinds of events she might not otherwise go to); she auditioned for Koshare, and was selected for her first choice choreographer/dance. She checked out a number of other clubs and said they weren’t for her, but I give her kudos for checking them out. She loves the assistant dean, who she’s met with twice already. Apparently, she has enough credits from her AP scores to graduate a entire year early! She said the food is good (she’s on the gold plan, and seems to be taking advantage of it). She came down with a nasty cold, stopped by the health center yesterday, and said they were very nice. All-in-all, she seems to be thriving. It appears she has a great mix of friends and has adjusted really well. She calls me every couple of days when she’s walking home from class, and I’ve had to rein myself in from being a pest! It seems like eons ago that we were starting the “search”, but in the end HWS was where she chose to be, and I think she’s very happy with her choice.</p>
<p>If anyone is lurking on this board, and has any questions, please post them here…it was a fabulous resource for us when we began looking. CarolynB was always willing to share her knowledge, or go out and find someone who could answer my questions!</p>
<p>DS is really enjoying Hobart. He is taking FYS, English literature, Sociology and Political Theory. He likes his classes. He’s not sure about sociology - they haven’t gotten any quizzes or papers back yet. He is a Trustee Scholar and doesn’t feel the work is difficult yet. Political theory gives 4 to 5 hours of homework for every one hour of class. He managed his time well in high school and so far is doing it well in college.</p>
<p>He likes the food (gold plan). He has joined the literary magazine, ultimate frisbee and club tennis. So he is keeping busy. Likes his roommates and his dorm. He says the kids are really nice. He has a group of friends that hang out together and he also has a workout group that goes to the gym.</p>
<p>He calls every Sunday and we text a couple times a week. I don’t have facebook, but I have been forwarded pictures off his facebook that show him looking very happy. So, I think he is off to a great start.</p>
<p>HMSMom and boomer22, I’m so delighted your “firsties” have adjusted so well! How satisfying for them and for you! It sounds like they’re really taking advantage of the opportunities and getting settled into college life without taking on too much. HMSMom, that’s fabulous that your daughter will be able to check out all kinds of activities as photographer. Boomer, at first my son also felt the same about the classes not being as challenging as he expected, but as he has progressed, he has found the classes increasingly difficult and he has always sought challenging courses. Glad to hear they both like the food. I look forward to the two of you helping to answer questions along the way! :)</p>
<p>CarolynB, thanks for all the info you provide and would love to pay it forward when I learn more!
DS is glad he is able to ease into the academics and not be overwhelmed right away. He knows it will get harder, but he is use to that and hopefully up to the challenge!</p>