<p>In order to drive back to NYC (1300 miles) by Monday, we want to leave Saturday early as possible around noon or so. </p>
<p>How much hand-holding do we have to do for our freshman S during move-in? </p>
<p>Can we unload at the curb and leave him to his wits or should we wait for room assignments (how long will this take?) and help him carry up to the room; help lay out the room using feng shui principles, etc. </p>
<p>Has anyone done this before? Thanks.</p>
<p>Sorry, but I'm the mom of a new freshman too, so can't answer your questions. But, I wondered how you knew it was Monroe. My son still hasn't received his assignment yet.</p>
<p>I'm sure some very knowledgeable parents/students will be along shortly to give you a REAL answer!</p>
<p>Well, everyone has their own way. Last year we moved our then frehman son as a family. We helped him carry up his items, his sisters helped arrange the room, we shooped for what we did not bring on the plane, we attended the functions for parents, we ate good food, we our son and his roomate out for a great dinner, and we said goodbye content that by the time we left he had already made friends and was settling into his new life.</p>
<p>We also stayed to upack our son his freshman year. While there are students that do come alone, it is more common to see the parents with their children. Move in day is a long process; beginning with the unloading, getting the stuff upstairs, unpacking, attending a few orientation programs (with parents), heading to Target/Office Depot to purchase what you didn't know you needed, etc. On Sunday some of the religious organizations have brunch or other activities. We stayed until Sunday afternoon and I think my son was glad we stayed until then, but was glad to see us leave on Sunday!</p>
<p>If getting back to NYC on Sunday is important to you, have you thought of renting a car to drive to NO and then flying back Saturday night or Sunday AM? We have done this for a couple of trips and it works out well.</p>
<p>It was about a month or so ago that my S reserved at Monroe - he had choices of few halls; also he even has his roomate - they chated online via Tulane web site.</p>
<p>If you have not done so and need to get up to speed, it may be best to call and bug the Tulane staff a bit as to what is available, as you may be close to getting closed out of certain halls.</p>
<p>Also, he got a head start with making friends and networking via the thefacebook.com web site.</p>
<p>What kinds of stuff did you buy last minute at NO - that you forgot to pack; I rather not run to shops in NO to pick up last minute stuffs:</p>
<ol>
<li>Do they need curtains?</li>
<li>Can they hang shelves on the wall or not allowed.</li>
<li>I saw the pictures of their beds, there seem to be plenty room under the bed for storage.</li>
<li>How roomy are the closets?</li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>We didn't go to store the purshase things we forgot as much as to get things we din't want to bring in the car. We ended up getting bins for under the bed for my son after putting the bed up on risers. Now the beds are bunked so I am sure there is more floor room. A trip to Target and the grocery store for drinks, snack foods, and laundry supplies. At Office Depot we bought a longer ethernet cord or some other cable as the lines were on one side of the room and my son's desk was on the other. </p>
<p>Monroe had blinds in the room, so no need for drapes. The walls in Monroe are brick, so no shelf hanging. The closets were not a bad size, but when my son was in Monroe the dressers were in the closet; it looks like they are in the room now.</p>
<p>I'll be interested to see how this goes with a daughter. Our twin sons moved in on the same week-end several hundred miles apart so each took one parent. I don't think either of us were there longer than an hour. Neither boy wanted the parental presence once the boxes and bags were dumped on the floor. I think we've all been well trained by the summer camp instructions that started when they were 9 or 10: drop off the stuff, hug and kiss your child good-bye, and make yourself scarce!</p>
<p>People tell me that girls take a lot more stuff, though. <g></g></p>
<p>My parents stayed til sunday. Theres plenty of programming on saturday and sunday for everyone. </p>
<p>As far as the dorms go, Monroe is fairly well equipped. The only thing you "need" to bring is a TV and a cable long enough to plug it in to the cable box. Microfridges and Water Coolers (which are awesome to have) are displayed for rent on mcalister. I highly recommend getting both the microfridge and the cooler, especially if your S or D works out or runs (or drinks, my water cooler killed many a hangover in its day) We also made the bed bath and beyond trip to get my sheets and comforter set, and the store so i could get some toiletries to start out with.</p>
<p>Storage is abundant. My mom bought me some big plastic containers i never really used, but there was more than enough room to hold pretty much all the clothes I owned.</p>
<p>Basically if your kid is going back for thanksgiving, have them bring.</p>
<p>Summer and fall clothes, a TV, a computer, a cell phone, and any personal items (hairdriers, etc.), nothing else really needs to get shipped or brought down because it can be bought on or near campus.</p>