Getting settled here as well. All her boxes arrived safe and sound and clothes are now unpacked and neatly hung up or folded in storage drawers. Dorm decoration almost done and fridge and microwave going in later today. Soon it will feel like her home away from home. Her classes start Tuesday and she is eager to get started and ready to work hard!
We are at the airport getting ready to go home to NJ after leaving our daughter on the opposite coast. She moved in to Loyola Marymount (LMU) Friday and we had an awesome weekend there. She had her first class this morning and will be auditioning for two shows on Wednesday! I’m sure it will be tough for all of us having her so far away but the school seems like a great fit for her.
Ds started his MT classes at Syracuse this past Monday. Feeling a little overwhelmed with his schedule and long days. I’m hoping he settles in another week or so. So hard having him 15 hours away. One great text so far " I love my vocal coach" Hope everyone is having a smooth transition.
@milmom2 “Overwhelmed” is normal. Just encourage her not to go into “panic mode”. It’ll take a couple weeks to adjust. Remember: Hundreds of others have gone through this with a pretty low mortality rate. LOL! 
^^^and advise write those English papers early or the end of September will be NO fun at all LOL.
My D’s schedule is so light that I worry she will have too much time on her hands! She’s off on Fridays and only has one class on Thursdays. Even the other three days have lots of free time. Not sure what I’m paying this huge tuition for!
@marg928 , how many credit hours is she taking? Can she add a dance class or something else she is interested in? My D is taking 18 credit hours and is VERY busy, and loving every minute of it. The normal advice at the college was an average of 15 credit hours but with BFA MT major we felt she could handle 18 so we are definitely done in 4 years, haha. And if your D is in a show or working crew for one soon, she will be busier than ever!
@CMB625 she is taking 15 credits. I wanted her to take more but she claimed that it wasn’t allowed first semester. Yes she is taking Theater Tech so I guess she will get busier…well hopefully! And she got callbacks for the two shows they are putting on so if she gets a part that will fill in some time for sure.
That is light @marg928 but I think it is not unusual for most college students to have light schedules a couple days or blocks of free time. (vs many BFA’s where they have academics in the AM and then arts major classes all afternoon and into the evening, plus rehearsals - every day).
Once classes get going, that free time will probably be a nice time to get homework done and study during. She may also have time for a part time job or to go on those auditions!
She definitely wants to get a job. We found out though that many of the jobs on campus require you to be approved for work study…I had no idea :(( There are other work opportunities though, she just has to get on the ball with it. Fingers crossed.
My son has 19 credits. He was not allowed to choose his classes. He feels very overwhelmed right now.
@milmom2 wow that’s heavy…what school?
My daughter took 19-21 each semester until her senior year this year. She only has 14 and is busier than ever LOL
@marg928 My D is also taking 15 credits. I suggested she keep it to 15 the first semester until she gets settled into the new college and city. Her schedule “looks” like it has a lot of open blocks on it. But she already has to read 6 plays in the next 2 weeks and memorize a scene or monologue from each - that’s just for Acting 1. Plus we knew that she’d be doing work study, so that was another reason not to overload on credits. She wouldn’t be able to take so few credits if she didn’t have transfer credits for gen eds. Next semester I imagine it’ll be 18 or more.
Anyone know anything about the National Theatre Institute at Connecticut College? I understand they have a semester program for both theatre and musical theatre. Their website says that credits may transfer to your 4 yr college and that your financial aid may also apply. Would appreciate any info from those in the 'know". Thanks!
Wow- 15 is light! D had a solid 18 per semester last year and 17 this fall. Necessary for her to get all required credits in for graduation. (And she had basically most of her gen eds taken care of coming in).
D had always taken 18 (that’s how many you get without having to pay extra) b/c we figure we might as well make the Tuition payments worthwhile. For D the extra hours have gone primarily into stage combat- she will graduate as a certified actor/combatant Next semester she will be part time (studio) which will be nice for her - and cheaper for us!
I’m currently flying home to CA after spending the last week getting my lovely girl settled at Hartt. What an amazing experience - a dream realized. I know it is said here often that everyone finds their right place and for my daughter that has certainly proven to be the case. This program truly is a perfect fit and she said last night that she absolutely couldn’t imagine herself anywhere else. Despite missing home, she is as happy as can be and already incredibly busy every single day. They weren’t kidding around when they promised intense training! But what a joy and gift for me to see her immersed in doing what she loves. I can’t wait to come back for a visit in a few weeks. Best to all my fellow freshman parents as we adjust to our new normal!
@marg928 Syracuse
My Daughter is starting off her Freshman year with a whopping 22 credit hours! Yikes! Totally standard for a VP BM candidate at Oberlin, I guess, so I’ll try not to worry. I imagine those 15-18 hour schedules are going to be welcome when your kiddos get cast in shows!