Its funny about all the cold/snow comments as that was a selling point for my DD (caveat, we live at over 7500 feet) but what she didn’t like was all the rain…it seems to rain a lot in the Fall. Needed more rain gear than anything else.
Didn’t think to mention this before, but one item that could be very useful for students is an extension cord.
It may or may not be needed in rooms, depending on room layout and the location of plugs, but will be useful in any other number of contexts - classrooms, the house lounge, etc - where students might use (and thus need to charge) their phone or laptop.
I bought one at Target for $10, and it’s been part of my everyday carry ever since.
So, to the question, “are you carrying?”, Dun, your answer would be, “you bet I am - don’t mess with me!”
We found that my D’s ethernet cable was too short. She had bought a 4 or 5 foot one and we quickly had to order something twice as long in order to reach to her desk (and printer, computer charges, etc.).
I’d also recommend a power strip with a long cord, if that is allowed. That way you can position it better to access all your electronic stuff.
I like this kid vlog. She gives a very personal view of a College student life at UChicago. For parents who have kids checking in Campus North next week, you can see how a Campus North single (And Solstice on the Park) looks like:
^^ nice vlog. agree with her when she say’s ‘in reality, everyone’s just trying to figure it all out.’
Gulp. A lump in my throat when I read upthread that we may need tissues. ugh…
How did the time go by so fast? Many days were long and slow, still, it passed in a blink.
Two years ago my wife and I dropped of my oldest at University of Maryland. We live in Eastern PA so it is about a three our drive through MD, DE, and PA. On the way home my wife sobbed all of MD and most of DE.
It’s weird, I expected the last one leaving the nest to be rough. Nobody every warned me that the first one leaving would be rough. We’ll see how rough the second one leaving is. Could be better, now that we are prepared. Could be worse because he’s going to be farther away.
I cried a lot more when the first left than when the second left. The second time, I was better prepared for it, I knew how it would feel.
My college kids text me so much it’s like they are here! I guess it’s because when they are home they also text me constantly . . .
Catching up on this fun thread. (1) Last year, we got there for BJ at a little after 10. There was no wait at all, and we parked close by. DD spent a long time unpacking her room, so by the time we got to lunch, toward the last third of the lunch window, I think, it was crazy crowded - didn’t wait around in the long lines for specific food choices, but the ambience created by so many excited young people and their excited families was thrilling, and we easily got seats at her House table and ate stuff. (2) When I arrived in Hyde Park in late 80s, there were signs up all over that said “NO PARKING - SNOW LANE - OCTOBER THROUGH APRIL”. I remember thinking, “What have I gotten myself into?” (3) Personally think boots for snow/ice (dry, good traction), warm socks, hat, scarf, and gloves/mittens are more important than a warm coat for unexpected snow, cold, and wind. By December you can probably find a friend who will lend you a coat (I sent DD with two warm down coats of different lengths). Or worst case, wear a long-sleeve shirt, two sweaters, a hoodie, and maybe a rain jacket over all that if needed to stay dry. Or something. ( < Not fashionable, but everyone would understand!) Appropriate boots for snow/ice in a comfortable size are harder to borrow or find substitutes for. Hat, warm socks, scarf, and gloves will always be usable, and take up very little space - put them in a plastic bag and stuff them in the emergency boots! Not saying you should not take a coat before winter holiday / Thanksgiving. But if you’re in a double and squeezed for space and you have to choose between storing a big coat and the boots, smaller necessities, and rain jacket/rain poncho/umbrella, I will tell you that DD (who is from the South and whom we thought of as absolutely hating the cold) managed to make it through her entire first year without using either of her down coats. This is NOT typical! Her friends think she’s weird. She brought both down coats I sent with her home this summer, and will take only one back this year - wouldn’t take even that, but for my insistence. (4) Re O-aides: They get free food and housing for a week, but I don’t think that’s the main draw for most anyone. DD desperately wanted to be an O-aide this year, because she would just have loved doing it and getting to the know the first years, but too many people from her House applied this year. So Class of 2022: expect great service from those kids who lucked out and got the “job”! Had she gotten the job, DD would have loved any type of “thank you”, from cookies to just a sincere verbal “thanks”.
Question for parents of returning students: after the convocation/procession on Sunday there is a reception for parents - am I correct in assuming casual attire is okay for this? Looks like we’ll not have enough of a window to head back to hotel to change. I’m guessing we’d be in jeans or similar all day…
^ I’m wearing jeans
Maybe the posters on these UChicago threads who are parents of freshman should wear something - a red rose? ? - so we can recognize each other. Or a secret handshake.
I’ll be the short blond lady who looks like she’s freezing her butt off when the temp drops below 65. 
Lol, it’ll be fun thinking of a secret signal, maybe we can all wear a Phoenix pin. (btw that is a totally awesome symbol for the school. The Phoenix–such a fantastical, powerful creature.)
I’ll be wearing white platform sneakers, lol. I’ll try not to look too grungy for the reception on Sunday, although I think by Saturday, we will have been all set up, dorm-wise.
According to this Family Orientation 2018 guide, it looks like the Family Reception is on Sunday 4pm-6pm at the Reynolds Club.
https://orientation.uchicago.edu/sites/orientation.uchicago.edu/files/uploads/Orientation_2018/Parent_Communications/Family%20O%20Book%202018.pdf
Is this ‘abridged’ Orientation schedule missing the dates 9/30, 10/1, 10/2? (2nd to last page)
The College Kickoff is several days after O-Week. Orientation ends at the end of the month, and there are no events in the intervening days.
@booklady123 You are right. It is casual attire for the reception. No need to change
It’s now D-3: D-Day minus three days. RAs have been on campus for a while, O-Aides moved in on Monday, and preparations for move-in are well underway. We’re scheduled to welcome a few early arrivals even before move-in day - athletes tomorrow, and pre-orientation students on Friday. Then, on Saturday, the real chaos starts - and the real fun begins. All across campus, the sense of excitement is palpable
Right now, O-Aides (including yours truly) are creating the zaniest decor Housing will approve. That’s enough to keep us busy for a while. After that, we’ll have a free minute or two before O-Week kicks off in earnest. My fellow O-Aides agree the risk of “downtime” and “fun” is deeply concerning, so we’d like to put that time to good use. We’ve tried our best to anticipate and address any questions, comments, concerns, equipment needs, etc. students and parents might have, but there’s no substitute for the actual thing. With that in mind:
Parents of incoming first-years: Questions? Comments? Concerns?
Parents of current students/alums: Any comments/suggestions based on your past move-in experiences? Information or miscellaneous equipment/supplies that would’ve been helpful? In other words - what can we do to make the move-in experience smoother?
Incoming first-years: Welcome!
Other students: Welcome back!