<p>Not sports, I know those start early...I'm wondering about other things. </p>
<p>This one seems pretty slow out of the gate, since he's been on campus since August 19 and has attended a few information sessions for theater and music stuff, but has yet to actually do anything. Sort of surprising; he was EC kid in high school. </p>
<p>On a better note, his faculty advisor had his group over to his house for a Labor Day picnic - isn't that really nice?!</p>
<p>My daughter is in a wind ensemble. Auditions were held just before classes started, and rehearsals started during the first week of classes. But that's kind of on the borderline between a class and an EC (music majors participate for credit; other people, like my daughter, don't).</p>
<p>I don't know about anything else EC. I haven't asked. But maybe one EC is plenty for a freshman, anyway.</p>
<p>Mine has not joined any group yet. When I asked, she said she lost track of time while studying and missed most of the info session.</p>
<p>weenie,
I was one of those hyper-extended EC kids in HS -- partly to get out of the house, partly becuae I needed something to engage my brain, since it sure wasn't happening in school. Anyway -- when I got to college, I did very little in the way of ECs. Just getting used to being completely responsible for myself was a full time EC! Is your S working as well? If he is, and hasn't worked before, that can be a big transition, too.</p>
<p>If he's meeting people and making friends, I wouldn't worry too much at this stage.</p>
<p>By this time last year, my freshman had decided he didn't want to pledge a frat, and he did want to be in a couple of singing groups.</p>
<p>It was later in the year that he joined the film society, probably under the influence of his new friends. ;)</p>
<p>I didn't join any clubs or groups really when I started college (I went to the GLBT group occasionally, but that's more social). Some students become serial joiners, and other students don't join any clubs. Most of my good friends didn't join clubs last year, with the exception of part time jobs and volunteering. I certainly have friends who write for the newspaper, act in plays, sing in groups, or whatever else, but it's not at all unusual for students to not join anything. Most of my friends and I plan to get involved in one or two new activities this year (our second year) now that we have things figured out a bit more. </p>
<p>It's definitely not something to worry about. It's not an indication that your kid isn't social or engaged. Many clubs accept students all year long with a particular rush when there's a new term.</p>
<p>My son started practice with academic quiz team. He'd like to do singing and drama too, but made a conscious decision to see how heavy his academic load is before taking on huge commitments. I thought this was wise.</p>
<p>My D who just started classes today put her name on a couple of lists for "info" first. She plans on attending a chapter of a National Organization for Public Relations majors next week - talked with the president already. Tonight she is going to a meeting about dance opportunities - she tap dances - but is not sure if she'll audition this semester...</p>
<p>My son didn't join any groups, except for a student Bible study, at the start of his freshman year. Later on he became involved in an extracurricular music group and did a few activities with his theme dorm. However, I think the freshman year is such an adjustment that it can be better not to join too many things at first.</p>
<p>His second year my son was an RA, a big time commitment, but he also added a volunteer job that had a fairly small time commitment, and he was part of a music quintet outside of school hours. He will be doing a little more this year, his junior year. He was active in a number of EC's in high school, but college is a different situation, and I think it is healthy to take some time to adjust before commiting to too many outside activities.</p>
<p>AS the parent of a sophomore, I agree with all above. My son tried out a few ECs last year and ending up dropping some of them (for good reason, mostly).</p>
<p>DD has gone to a few info sessions but wants to see if she can manage her schedule and homework, practice, etc before making any commitments. I think that is wise. She is still social,participating in activities like football games and doing things with other people so not isolated by the decision. That is enough.</p>
<p>I wish mine were going a little slower to tell you the truth. He wasn't much of an EC kid in High School, but he put in a lot of volunteer time at a local fire/rescue/ems station. I suggested that he go to the organization fair and look for some select possibilities that he might enjoy. You know, stick your toe in. </p>
<p>To make a long story short, he hadn't been there a week when he had an appointment with the the service learning director to discuss starting a Collegiate EMS service. She loved the idea so now he's charging off and gathering information, making phone calls, etc. I couldn't believe it. I told him to think about JOINING an organization, not go START one. :)</p>
<p>He's also looking to do a formal Leadership Program and (of course) he's submitting his volunteer application to the local fire department. </p>
<p>Where did this kid come from, all of a sudden? I am a little concerned about time management, but he's earned the right to try to figure that out by himself.</p>
<p>She's only been at school a week, but DD is already applying for a position on the Student-run newspaper. She's also interested in the Humor magazine (published 2-4 times/year) and is thinking of rushing, although that may be put off until Spring or fall of next year. Other than that, she's getting to know her floor mates and attending all of pep rallies and home football games, which should both keep her really busy. Her 18th birthday is next week!</p>
<p>My next door neighbor's freshman D (who was active in theater in h.s.) has auditoned for a part in the fall production of her school's theater dept. Heard yesterday that she didn't get the role but will be an asst. to the stage manager and is happy to be involved in the production in any way.</p>
<p>Happy Birthday Springfieldmom's D!</p>
<p>Oh, goodness do I remember my 18th birthday while in college. My most miserable moment of my college year came shortly beforehand. I had run out of money. Now, I worked hard during the summers in high school, and I had five figures in my bank account at home, which isn't bad for a seventeen year old. I had money spread out in a checking account, a savings account, and a high yield CD; in other words, I felt pretty confident about where I was financially. The thing is, my college location and my home had no banks in common, and I was too young to be issued a debit card. I had no access to cash, and I eventually ran out. I remember not having enough money left to use the washing machine--$1.50 for washer and dryer--or print out my reading assignments--5 cents a page. I have never felt so unbelievably helpless. I didn't really know people well enough to feel comfortable asking to borrow money at that point. Anyway, a few months into school I turned 18 and got my debit card. In terms of birthday presents, that one definitely gets the most use. :)</p>
<p>Anyway, just felt like sharing that. I hope your daughter didn't need to go through anything similar. Happy Birthday to your daughter, SpringfieldMom!</p>
<p>I regret not doing more ECs in college. I tried some new things (like theater) which turned out to be not for me at all, but didn't join the literary magazine till I was a senior. The most worthwhile thing I did was to take swing dance lessons with my first boyfriend.</p>
<p>My EC's in college were studying, socializing, and sports events. I also liked dating good looking athletes. My weakness I guess. I can't remember ONE organized extracurricular activity! :( I'm still alive and kicking, a productive member of society, a good mom and wife, and an all around good person (the last one is the most important thing to me).</p>
<p>I just now re-read this thread for the first time...thanks everyone for DD's birthday wishes. Her birthday was great! We sent her a cake and cookies from the PSU Bakery, and she and her floormates had a nice party. She also found out on her birthday that she was hired as a lifeguard at PSU...quite an honor, since only a few freshmen are selected. She started Monday, works 6 hours a week, and volunteered as a sub, so she'll have a little money to spend. It could come in handy, since she did decide to go through Rush, which started last night. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, the newspaper didn't work out. She may decide to try again next semester.</p>
<p>Classes keep her very busy; she has one Honors class, and a nighttime lab in the observatory for Astronomy, so her time is pretty much taken up at this point.</p>
<p>Lderochi - Congrats on the man in your son showing up and making his mark! I'm a few years behind you with my boy but seeing some signs.</p>
<p>As for ECs, I have a junior D. First two years she did the newspaper. Loved it. Then auditioned for dance, which used to be one of her major activities. Now is deeply into dance and the dance group and may have to give up writing so much. There's just not that much time in college for all the things they did in high school, even the ones who did everything of their own accord.</p>