<p>Are there activities/sessions planned for parents during this time as well? I would like to start planning this trip and finding a place to stay for cheap, but I have no idea what this week entails. Is there a sample scheduled anywhere?</p>
<p>I remember there being a BBQ that anyone could go to and maybe coffee for the parents on the first day. I don’t think there was anything else, I mean you could hang around I guess.</p>
<p>I don’t know when the schedule is posted, but watch for events sponsored by your student’s college. Last year, the SCA had a really nice reception and a panel discussion for parents and students. Definitely worth going to - I got to meet a bunch of the CC parents 
and we introduced all our kids to each other. They’ve bonded.</p>
<p>The only big campus-wide event that I can recall is the lunch barbecue. There may have been some tours offered. </p>
<p>For travel planning purposes, if you come from out of town you’ll probably want to stay in the area the night before. Your student will probably be ready for you to leave by evening of move-in day. They start dorm activities that night, so most of them don’t want parents hanging around.</p>
<p>Other than move-in day, there are no parent activities planned for welcome week. All the activities are geared toward the students and helping them get excited about being AWAY from home. For parent information and activities, going to Orientation would be a great idea. There are several parent programs at Orientation (they keep you busy ALL day long - probably to keep you out of your kid’s hair) with lots of very useful information.</p>
<p>The advice for move-in day seems to be “give your hugs, say your goodbyes, and let them go.” They do GREAT. Really.</p>
<p>Ok, great…so I do not need to plan to stay long beyond move-in day. That’s all I really needed to know! Thanks for the information everyone!</p>
<p>Why would parents want to stay with their kids throughout their welcome week? I’d say it would be more of an embarrassment than anything else haha</p>
<p>Just let them be free! Your kids will be fine without you guys. :)</p>
<p>It really comes down to packing exactly what your child needs. If your child needs stuff to get their computer going, kitchen supplies, food to stock up, etc. it might take more than a day. On the other hand, if everything needed is in their suitcase, then one day should be sufficient. Last year, USC had a bus to Target, but I don’t know how long the lines were and/or if a lot was sold out due to the influx of students.</p>
<p>I’m actually not a parent, I am an older sibling. When I moved into my freshman dorm when I started college, my entire family came to help and stayed a few days after because there were various brunches, luncheons, and other events involving students AND parents - I’ve learned here that USC runs it differently. It’s kind of funny how everyone automatically assumes I’m an over-bearing parent who can’t let go of my child. Our entire family cannot afford to fly to Los Angeles (neither of our parents have seen where my brother will be going for the next four years!), so I am doing the honors.</p>
<p>Even though I wouldn’t have admitted it at the time, having my family there for me when I was moving to a new home 1500 miles away helped take away a little stress, especially since I had never even visited my university before moving in. Honestly, parents, don’t feel like you are going to be an ‘embarrassment’ if you are escorting your kid - he/she will appreciate it.</p>
<p>Great post, greenwave! I really don’t see why squadus assumes all parents who post here are out to smother their kids. I think my son was very grateful for the help with move-in, and it was nice for me, my husband and my daughter to have a mental picture of where he was spending his time, who his suitemates were, etc.</p>
<p>Parents are definitely welcome for move in. I think the main message is that they should come a day or two before, buy any supplies during that time, then be ready to leave after move in day. There are activities for parents until about 5pm on that day. After that, they are strongly encouraged to leave by the university. I was definitely glad to have my parents there to help with move in. It’s just important for them to know what the schedule will be like, because, as greenwave said, it varies by school.</p>
<p>As I recall, there were very few if any events for parents. That being said, a lot of parents were around campus starting on move-in day. I found that most left at the end of the first or second day. A few parents stayed around longer, but they were definitely a minority.<br>
Also, it’s important to realize that freshmen are very different than upperclassmen. As a freshmen, many feel it is important to arrive right on move-in day, to get there early, have their parents leave at an “appropriate” time, etc. After freshmen year, many people realize how ridiculous that was, i.e. trying to follow a proper schedule. My advice is to do whatever works best for you and your family. Don’t worry if you stay on past the first day, if it makes your child feel more at ease. The bottom line is that the first weeks of freshmen year are unlike any other, but everyone eventually settles into place. There is no right or wrong way to move in and you certainly won’t be judged for how you do it.</p>
<p>Lol, FauxNom I was talking more about the parents staying longer than just a few days. haha, not the ones that come for the first couple days. :P</p>
<p>Can’t wait for welcome week! :)</p>