<p>I've never attended one. My first child will be going to college this August. She wanted to move in early (about a week in advance). We will fly with her. It looks like we're going to miss the convocation, parents' dinner and the events related to the first official moving day since we won't be staying over for almost a week. Is it worth to stay around or to convince D to move in on the regular day?</p>
<p>Skipped my daughters because she went early for a pre-orientation hiking/canoe trip. That was fine. She went with a group of friends she made on the trip. Went to sons convo ceremony-- that was fine too. His orientation was set up differently-- canoe trip in the middle of orientation. So either way is ok I think. Your daughter will be fine either way</p>
<p>I went to my oldest daughters - but was so annoyed because she was hanging out in the dorm with her new friends and missed it - didnt even reply to my texts of “where are you?” That’s when you know it’s time to go.<br>
Really not a big deal!!</p>
<p>I would do what works with your schedule. It was a very nice event, but by the time we got to that point he was anxious for us to leave and start his college life.</p>
<p>My d also moved in a week early, because the atheletes had to be there early for a week of practice before classes started. They offered a convocation for that group as well, so maybe your d’s school will too. I enjoyed it, but it isn’t the worst thing in the world if you can’t make it.</p>
<p>Convocation is different at different schools. My son went to a pre-orientation program, but we joined him upon his return. (He went off campus for a few days.) I’m SO GLAD I did. I highly recommend it. It’s fun to be there along with other parents also going through this too. It’s also great to be there and experience the school spirit. It’s an amazing feeling listening to the entire class together cheering, and I even enjoyed all the speeches too.</p>
<p>We went to a family orientation; D’s school welcomed the entire family and had special activities for younger siblings. They even managed to accommodate our then 13 year old, who was in a wheelchair with a badly fractured ankle.</p>
<p>She went back up a month later for a hikng/canoe trip of 25 incoming freshman, which took place a week before school opened. So, we never went to convocation because we’d already been home a week before.</p>