<p>How common is it for preps to get a triple?</p>
<p>I’ve never done a count. I don’t think it’s very common, but it can happen. Be open to the possibility!</p>
<p>
I’m wondering whether you meant that many kids don’t use the Exeter-provided mattress? Is it a fairly common thing for families to bring their own mattresses for their kids’ rooms? This is something we had already been wondering about, based on the sagging, worn out mattresses our son had encountered at a couple of summer camps.</p>
<p>Also, we’ve been wondering about wall-mounted whiteboards/corkboards, whether these are commonly used in the dorm rooms, and, if so, what are the allowable hanging mechanics?</p>
<p>No, sorry, I meant that many kids don’t use a mattress pad. I didn’t want to suggest that it’s in any way “required.” Some kids have it; many don’t. I’ve NEVER seen a kid bring his own mattress. In my experience the mattresses are not sagging; they’re just on the hard/uncomfortable side.</p>
<p>A number of kids have whiteboards/corkboards. The E Book states that “Nothing may be attached to the walls, ceilings, doors, or casings by means of glue, paste, stickers, tape, nails, tacks, screws, or staples.” That leaves… uh… you know… the other thing 
I confess I haven’t enforced this too strictly, but I’ll see if I can find out what you CAN officially use to hang posters, etc.</p>
<p>I think he meant that not many kids use the mattress toppers.</p>
<p>When I asked about the triple I actually wanted a triple, but I really am fine with whatever type of room I get :)</p>
<p>I spoke with our Campus Safety person, and what they want kids to use for posters, etc., is “adhesive putty,” like [this</a> one](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Scotch-Adhesive-Putty-Removable-860/dp/B000AN7EW4]this”>http://www.amazon.com/Scotch-Adhesive-Putty-Removable-860/dp/B000AN7EW4). That, of course, won’t work with a whiteboard/corkboard. Bottom line, check with your dorm head before putting something up that may damage the wall and cause you to be charged for it…</p>
<p>We use the 3M hooks that are cleanly removed for everything - they come in multiple strengths and sizes and can (if used creatively) hold everything from whiteboards to posters on a wall. The adhesive putty often fails if a generous blob is not used but is ok for lightweight, small posters. Yes to the mattress topper - really! Choose carefully - the mattresses are so slippery that if the topper does not have multiple channels of stretchy elastic + a generous amount of fabric (on the sides, so it goes underneath a ways) it will slip off. My son spent his entire prep year with a cockeyed topper. He slid off right along with it. I spent the money last year on the ‘best’ one from Target - it is the perfect size and thickness. I think Bed Bath & Beyond has the same ones.</p>
<p>I can’t remember if this was asked already, but what are the swimming tests like? Do you have to do a specific style of swimming? Or can you choose your style? And what is the length that we have to swim? Also, how deep is the pool?
Sorry for so many questions!
Thank you!</p>
<p>I can never remember the details, but it’s very straightforward; something like one length of the pool (25 yards) any style you want. If I remember correctly, the pool is deep everywhere, so you can’t cheat :)</p>
<p>I think you can get across the pool any way you need to, like backfloating or dog-paddling or whatever. As long as you are reasonably fit, I think you should pass.</p>
<p>Thanks, PEAteacher =D!</p>
<p>Err, what if you don’t know to swim at all? Are you excused from the test, or are there mandatory swim lessons? Is it wise to learn how to swim before September?</p>
<p>If you can’t swim, nobody will force you to jump in! Just go to the pool and let the people there know. They will not require you to learn to swim, but they will give you the opportunity to do so at Exeter. You shouldn’t feel as if you must learn to swim before coming to Exeter, but it’s a skill that it’s definitely in your interest to pick up.</p>
<p>PEAteacher, are new (male) preps expected to show up in shirt and tie on registration day?</p>
<p>Absolutely not! The opening assembly, on the Friday of registration week, is the first time that kids are expected to be in dress code. Until then, dress is very informal for everyone (including faculty!) and for all events. Shorts and T-shirts, by all means.</p>
<p>How are day students integrated into campus life?</p>
<p>Hi again! Thank you for answering my question.
One more, sorry! I would like to try diving, but I didn’t see that as a class. And I know how to swim somewhat, but definitely not good enough for a team. But I saw that they only have diving as a JV or Varsity sport. I’ll be a prep next year, so does prep spaz in winter have a choice to take diving?</p>
<p>“The fall term begins with an evaluation of fitness for health. Each student is encouraged to participate in a self-assessment and in learning how to plan a personal fitness program. The
term continues with an introduction to fall sports followed by participation in at least three of the offered activities. The winter term covers an introduction to skills in winter sports, intramural competition, outdoor sports, aerobic exercise, and retesting.”
So in the fall, you can pick 3 activities, so is there diving in the spring? </p>
<p>And if I wanted to try for crew in the spring, would I just take prep spaz for the first 2 terms, and if I make it onto the team, they’ll just remove me from prep spaz? And if I want to be a coxswain, can I try out for the team without any past experience?</p>
<p>Thank you PEAteacher!!</p>
<p>2010 hopeful, day students do everything that boarding students do, except that they go home at night. They have a day student lounge that works a bit like a dorm, or a place where all day students can hang out during free periods. My impression is that they’re full-time members of the PEA community in every respect.</p>
<p>2014, even as a prep you can try out for varsity/jv sports, in any term. E.g, you can do prep spaz in the fall, jv swimming in the winter, and prep spaz again in the spring. If you’re interested in diving or swimming, go ahead and try out for it (at the end of the fall for winter sports). Tryouts are open to anyone. I know preps who’ve done diving. Same thing for crew. Very few people have any experience when they start crew, so you should go ahead and try out if you’re interested (in a coxswain or any other position. They’re interested in your potential and motivation and they’ll tell you what to do if you’ve never done it before; you just need to show up at the tryouts).</p>
<p>My Blackboard page has been updated. Others should check to see if theirs is too. Parts of it look rather confusing though…</p>
<p>What parts look confusing?</p>