<p>My daughter just started college this month as a freshman, living in a dorm room. Neither she, nor her roommate have a TV in the room. She had asked for one, but I told her I never had one in college, and convinced her a TV could possibly affect studying, limit conversations with friends, etc. So, she agreed to do without at least through her first quarter. </p>
<p>Yesterday she asked for one again, saying when she gets back to the room it' s kind of lonely if the roomate isn't there. I'm still inclined to nix the TV idea for now, but was wondering how other parents handled it. Those of you whose children have TVs, do you think they watch it too much?</p>
<p>D is a senior and has never had a TV in her room. She gets together with friends and they watch TV (Sex and the City - when it was on, now Grey's Anatomy).</p>
<p>My D just started college and there is no cable tv in her room. Therefore she did not get a tv for the room. There is one in the all purpose room in the main lobby and that is where the students gather to watch</p>
<p>D has one and has always had one. She and her friends get together and watch movies, etc. They make popcorn, and have a great time. Considering her grades are awesome, it hasn't affected studying at all.</p>
<p>My D brought hers from home (has a DVD player built in). She primarily watched her Friends DVDs and Grey's Anatomy as a way to unwind and to socialize with other girls on the floor. She's a pretty disciplined student so I really didn't think twice about it. She made the Dean's List both semesters last year, so it worked out fine.</p>
<p>She's in an apartment this year and has the tv, along with a video recorder so they can catch Grey's, Desperate Housewives, etc. She has a very busy semester (classes, job, boyfriend) so the recorder is nice so she can watch programs whenever they fit into her schedule.</p>
<p>I'm a little more worried about my S taking a television next year, but that's because of the video games aspect!!!!!</p>
<p>I've had a TV all through college. I think it makes things more social, especially when a bunch of people congregate together to watch. And college students tend to procrastinate by being on the computer, not by watching TV! [Example: me right now.... :)]</p>
<p>D1, a senior, has always had a TV. D2, a sophomore, has not. They both know their studying styles and those were reflected in their decisions. But I've learned that you can watch a lot of TV shows on the internet ;) The difference, according to D2, is that one show doesn't roll into the next. Therefore, it is easier to stop watching.</p>
<p>former, i can't believe you're actually asking this... no offense.. but your 'child' is a college student - an adult. if she wants a tv, then she wants a tv. that's not something that requires parental approval. My little sister is a freshman this year and she says the dorms are super lonely - her campus has very little clubs and activities and most people do spend their time watching tv/movies together in their rooms. It's a social thing. At some point or another you have to let your children grow up. The computer and a cell phone are far more hazerdous to studies than a TV will be.</p>
<p>I personally do not watch TV - other than the Office which starts again tomorrow night - and did not watch a single TV show between the ages of 14 and 24 (when I discovered the Office).. but would not be without a TV in my room. DVD watching with friends was the best thing during college... just to chill and relax with a movie.</p>
<p>My son has a 42" flat screen and his roommate supplied the surround sound. LOL boys and their toys. But seriously, he had the set up freshman year (the tv was a graduation/congrats for an over 4.0 gpa gift). He was in a suite style dorm then and they did get together to watch. </p>
<p>I still remember when I was in college going to the student union to watch the Luke and Laura wedding. There were hundreds of us in the room. If you have no idea what I am talking about you are obviously much too young.</p>
<p>I didn't have one last year. My house had a TV with cable in the common room which I used for my favorite TV weekly TV show and some sports. This year my roommate has a TV. We've watched DVDs of TV shows a few times, and it's nice to be able to watch your favorite show in the room without worrying about people coming in and interrupting it in the lounge. She also has Nintendo 64 which has brought a lot of people to our room to hang out, which is one thing we really wanted for this year. We don't watch network TV very often, and we only put on DVDs if we both have some free time. </p>
<p>With the internet available for procrastination, adding a TV in the room should only be a blip in the number of ways your daughter has to procrastinate. </p>
<p>Like Fendergirl, I believe that this should be her decision (her $ as well).</p>
<p>My daughter has one in her room. I took it up when we realized there are NO tv lounges in the dorm. It is placed on a top of a closet and she can only see it from her top bunk. She said she turns it on when she gets into bed and sets the timer for 1 hour.</p>
<p>heres the counter question...if your child was staying home to attend college as a commuter student,would you tell them they couldnt have a TV in their room at home?Would you think that would make them less social,more isolated?
S has a TV,in fact this year he has two TV's. One in his single bedroom, and one for the living room of their on campus apt (really old one formerly Grandma's).He likes to watch sports, and has other programs he enjoys.Also has a bult in DVD player .Its hard to share watching DVD's on a computer screen,its too small.He enjoys having the TV on as "background".
Hes very social, does lots of activities, has a 4.0,girlfriend etc. I have no problems with TV,we grew up with it, he grew up with it.
As well, he uses it for video games and the LR TV has a Wii attached.Its a big social draw.
.</p>
<p>Ebeeeee-not too young here--started watching soaps as a senior in HS and of course continued with watching thru college, esp with sorority sisters!! I've kind of lost track now that own son is in college--perhaps I should pick it back up? Back to the OP, yes, son has a Flat panel LCD Tv. He is, however, in a quad style set-up, in which 4 guys have 3 rooms, with the middle room being the common room for the TV, futon, etc. It is a great arrangement in that they can close off the bedroom doors for studying if TV becomes a nuisance. I think he has enjoyed it very much so far, and grades have not slid as a result of it. However, I think it is working because of the living arrangement. His Dad has already warned him that if the grades slide, he will come and repossess it! Even tho son worked hard this summer and earned every penny to pay for it!!</p>
<p>When my D started corresponding with her new roommate this summer, roommate made a point of saying she'd bring the TV. This worried me because D tends to avoid television if it's not around, but will watch if it is. So far, she reports that neither of them is watching much TV, but they plan to have a "come watch TV (actually DVD or taped movies) and help us get rid of our goodies" night. I hope this is the real story...probably all is well as long as she doesn't bring down her game systems. Also an interesting way to find out we've been supplying too many snacks!</p>
<p>I would have said (did say) "no" to a TV, but S's roommate brought a smallish-but-not-tiny (20"?) flatscreen TV with him. Given that the computers all play DVDs, it seems like it barely matters.</p>
<p>I rarely watched TV in college, and when I did it was in a common room with lots of other people. I think that's better. For what it's worth, though, it seems like TV watching is being done in large groups, just it's in their room.</p>
<p>What size tv's do your kids have at college? I want to get my senior in hs son a tv with dvd player in it for Christmas. I want it to fit in his dorm room but be big enough for future apartment living too.</p>
<p>My Ds haven't had one in the dorm. They're both engineering-CS majors and wouldn't have time to watch it anyway. </p>
<p>They could always go to the common areas that have TVs and watch there if they were so inclined. They can also watch DVDs and some TV shows on their laptops if they really wanted to. Several broadcast networks stream some of their most popular shows.</p>
<p>My D took a simple little 13" - she is happy to have it. Doesn't watch it alot, but enjoys putting it on if she has a break in the morning for a few minutes, while getting dressed etc. At night she likes to chill for a few minutes just like she would at home. It's a normal part of her routine (has been at home), why not at college? She's probably watching less than an hour easily a day... and yes, I agree your D has to make decisions on what/how much distractions she can afford ANY day - whether it be a tv, friends room, the downtown hangout, whatever...a little tv is pretty harmless. </p>
<p>Get a small one that doesn't take much room and she'll probably be thrilled...</p>
<p>Neither my son nor his roommate brought TVs. There's one in the common room. My son did bring his Wii. I know he's played video games with kids in the dorms, I assume on the common TV, but who knows. He's never been a big TV watcher, though we have watched most of the sci fi shows on DVDs.</p>