<p>Jozuko: sorry that happened! It appears the NO police are fully aware of the Boot’s reputation. It’s reassuring he has to pay a fine and nothing worse.</p>
<p>I know I just posted, but I have been reminded that I haven’t said anything on my son’s first week. I must confess, my silence was out of sheer ignorance; he didn’t call for a week. In short, it’s going great. He had a terrific time at the NOLA Experience (a/k/a Camp Tulane). Indeed, in that great Instagram video posted here from the party at the Cajun Restaurant, my son figured prominently. Like FC predicted, he made friends with his fellow NOLA Experience participants. Oh, and not to underplay it, he likes his classes, despite a brutal load. (Chemistry, Cell. Biology, Psychology, English and Philosophy). He’s not homesick (as evidenced by not calling us for a week!), which is actually surprising to me. For some reason, I’m both delighted and a bit unnerved by that. I guess that goes with the turf. One final word. This website and its participants have been terrific. We’ve had invaluable advice from many of you. My wife and I are most appreciative for the advice and, even better, the graciousness of all of you. (You’re a prominent part of that, FC).</p>
<p>newtrierdad… very similar experience here! I finally got to Face Time with my son last night. He made so many friends at the NOLA Experience that he felt 100% comfortable by the time classes started. He and his roommate get along well and eat together almost every day. He is loving his classes (Chem, Chem Lab, Calc, Latin, English) but said he didn’t have much homework (??) and LOVES the TIDES class “Legends in Science and Engineering” which is taught by Dean McLaren (who brings food for the kids). </p>
<p>He said the laundry situation is annoying, that people open washer doors leaving clothes soaked for some reason (prank?) and it took him all day to get his laundry done.</p>
<p>He was getting a sore throat which I guess is no surprise given the close quarters. Overall he’s very very happy and said he and his friends have no desire to hang out at The Boot which they think is gross. </p>
<p>The kids are all aware of the armed robberies and are being careful. He uses Safe Rides a lot.</p>
<p>I’m going to be far more relaxed this week now that I’ve seen his face and talked to him!</p>
<p>Tried to FaceTime last night too. But the connection was poor from the French Quarter and the Southern Decadence party on Bourbon St. So we had a night of worry until he texted he and his group were safely home. Phew! We’ll try sometime today and chat about some concerns. I can tell he’s eating we’ll from the look of his cheeks.</p>
<p>mavitale - given that course load I suspect the homework is coming. For chem and calc they are probably just getting through some intro stuff, and English will definitely have reading and papers. I would be surprised if he doesn’t have reading for that already. I don’t know anything about what goes on in Latin! But I have heard from past students that Dean MacLaren is an outstanding teacher, and in a relaxed atmosphere like a TIDES class I bet it is a lot of fun. I LOVE the history of science and read lots of biographies of famous scientists. I wish I was in that TIDES class.</p>
<p>FC, I’m sure you’re right about the coursework. I’m really glad he has his first Success Coach appt on Thursday, because I think he’s going to need that. He said the English class is ‘a little annoying but fine’. The TIDES class is focused on the unexpected backstories of science and engineering legends. They’re starting with Tesla.</p>
<p>Haha skiermom about FaceTime from the FQ! Thankfully my son was in the common area in the dorm and it was very quiet. The connection was good too.</p>
<p>Tesla has great stories! His fights with Edison were epic.</p>
<p>I know I am a bit late on this, but D’s first day seemed to go well. She said it was nice to be in engineering because she “has a lot of guys” in her classes, lol. She already had a ton of homework, and was in her room completing physics and calculus work when she called me because she was worried that she wasn’t “normal” because she was holed up in her room by herself. She kept hearing girls in the hall talking and having fun. I assured her that she will be by herself A LOT, studying and completing homework.</p>
<p>I think few would argue that engineering has the most work intensive program of them all. When I was teaching at Georgia Tech for a couple of years, I would walk by the dorms on Saturdays sometimes and there would always be a lot of the students holed up in their rooms. It’s agony sometimes, but then again the engineers also no doubt have the highest rate of and highest average paying employment after graduation. And for students like your D, there is of course the advantage of a lot of males. Now if there was only time to spend with them, lol.</p>
<p>OH2NOLA - my D was fortunate to find a roommate who is in engineering. They even have the same physics together, which happens to pretty much be all day on Thursdays. They are getting along great and spending lots of quality time studying together. She’s starting out in math, but is taking all of the classes they have engineers take just in case she changes her mind. I’m thinking the consolidated calc, physics with lab, and chem with lab might be enough to make her decided against it. haha</p>
<p>Nice chat via face time yesterday. He must know us well. He told us all about his plans for getting his work done. Honors philosophy is his favorite, but a lot of paper work and reading. He’s tutoring some friends in Calc and Spanish. And he plans to go to success coaching on a pro active basis. Seems like he’s adjusting to his new life well.</p>
<p>S is doing well, but reports not that much work yet (this makes me nervous…I’m worried it will all hit at once or that he is not doing something he should be doing). Socially, hes told me “I am having a great time!”
He is taking Calc 1150 (long calc) and lets just say that math is not his strongest subject. We have also read not such great reviews of the professor. He knows that the second he doesn’t understand something, he should go for help. So, question?? where would be the best place to go for tutoring? I know it is only a matter of time before he is confused.</p>
<p>D2 seems to have alot of work. She has her first quiz today (I feel like it’s MY first quiz!). She complains about people on the phone in the library and having to find a quiet space.</p>
<p>Jozuko–<a href=“http://tulane.edu/tutoring/faq.cfm”>http://tulane.edu/tutoring/faq.cfm</a></p>
<p>As far as the work load, it is not that unusual that the work load starts to build this week. It is kind of a random thing depending on which classes he happened to take and which profs he got. I wouldn’t worry, at least not yet.</p>
<p>As far as the help, I would think there is a TA assigned to Calc 1150. That would be the first place to set up some time for reviewing homework and getting extra problems sets or whatever they think will help solidify his ability to do well in the course. After that (or if there isn’t a TA assigned) he should check with the advising center in Richardson. They can set him up with tutors or whatever is appropriate.</p>
<p>My D loves it so far! We moved her in early for team practice and then returned last week for first football game. Classes are good after some schedule adjusting and she has requested an exploitory advisor. She also has visited career center and had several pamphlets to show us. Good to see her utilizing resources available. Already knows so many classmates-freshmen as well as upperclassmen. Can’t wait for parent’s weekend!</p>
<p>Thanks Vitrac and Fallen. I went on the tutoring website and also went on: success.tulane.edu. There are two different things: Peer tutoring and Supplemental instruction. According to the website, peer tutoring is on a walk in basis, and Supplimental instruction has a schedule based on subject. I called and there was a message saying that the services will begin on Sept 9th.
In the mean time, S called to tell me that he was so frustrated with math. He was doing the questions and every time he checked the answer key in the back of the book, it said he had the wrong answer and he could not figure out what he was doing wrong. He then borrowed an answer key book that one of his floormates had purchased which shows the step by step problem solving along with the answers. When he went over his problems, he discovered that he was right and that the answer key in his text book was wrong! Doesn’t make sense, but that’s what it was. Needless to say, but we will be purchasing the answer key book!
I am also going to have him go to the tutoring, but at least he doesn’t feel so lost now.</p>
<p>I am excited to report that I spoke with my dd today and she is doing very well. I’m sure she is going to have ups and downs still, but I think in the long run she’ll be fine. I feel so fortunate for CC and all the resources Tulane has to offer. It really is a special place.</p>
<p>That’s great Oliver. It is very difficult on our end when they struggle to adjust, but to be very cliche, it is an important part of their becoming adults. I bet she has a wonderful career at Tulane.</p>
<p>Oliver…I am so happy for you! 
S told me yesterday that he saw her and that she looks good!</p>
<p>Great news, Oliver! I hope things keep getting better for her.</p>