<p>As far as moving in on Saturday for Orientation September 2nd, when should we plan on arriving at Smith (I'm coming from the NYC metro area)? Starting to get excited... less than a week : )</p>
<p>Awww, look at the cute ickle first years, all excited :-) <em>sigh</em> I remember being that way....just one year ago! Just arrive by whenever it says to on the Smith website. You want to give yourself plenty of time to move in, but you don't need to be there especially early. Don't wear nice clothes either, move-in is a sweaty, labor intensive business. By the end of it, you'll probably want a shower.</p>
<p>We're kind of lucky. D moved most of her stuff in today, as her roomie is a field hockey player and already in the room. Also lucky that we're only an hour and a half away! Nice room, small closet, great room mate. D is very happy, and today made Saturday a little less labor intensive. :)</p>
<p>Congrats, BJM. How long are you sticking around? Or are you already back home?</p>
<p>sorry I didn't get back to you sooner TD. My wife and D got home last night around 7:00, I was unable to go yesterday with them. Looking forward to Saturday, although, it is bittersweet. Empty nest here we come. :(</p>
<p>BJM, my mantra over in the Parents Forum is, "It's not the end of the book, it's the beginning of a new chapter." </p>
<p>Do I miss having her around? Absolutely. Do I look forward to those weekend phone calls? Absolutely? I am thrilled for her about how things are going for her and is it a lot of fun to watch as it develops in slo-mo? Absolutely.</p>
<p>"Absolutely": The Kelvin or Absolute scale of temperature used in the sciences is named after an English lord, Lord Absolute. When asked if Absolute Power corrupts, he replied, "Absolutely."</p>
<p>TD..thanks, you're right. It is very exciting to watch her move into the next phase of her life. She can't wait to get started, and we're happy about that. We know that Smith is the right place, and so does she.</p>
<p>As far as your question, ladylazarus, we are supposed to be there between 9am and 2pm. I would recommend being there early, so that you have time for lunch, which is from 12-1:30pm.</p>
<p>Well, we did it! Took our D to Smith today. Set up her room, moved her in, met her room mate and her parents, had lunch in Emerson, etc, etc. Now we're back home in our "quiet" house looking at each other like we don't know what to do next. We're so proud of our D and her accomplishments, and we know that she has many great years ahead of her, and many exciting times at Smith. Yet, the tears flowed pretty easily as we said our goodbyes. </p>
<p>Everyone we met was super nice and friendly, and the HONS made moving in a breeze. Registration was very organized and not crowded at all. The girls have a house meeting this evening at 7:00, and then more activities planned for tomorrow. Jordan is an old house, but has lots of character. The fourth floor walk wasn't fun though, especially carrying up all those boxes.</p>
<p>Also, did move-in yesterday and concur with everything BJM8 said about check-in and the process of moving in to the dorm. Incredible contrast to last year's move-in in NYC. The renovations in Baldwin's basement are beautiful...picture the charm of old turn of the century architecture combined with new walls, windows, floors, and furnishings. She is in a suite (two doubles, two baths, and a furnished livingroom) with three other girls. I can't believe the size of her double. Fortunately, for us there was a small set of steps into the side door at Baldwin and with help the hons moving the boxes in took under five minutes.</p>
<p>Sounds like Baldwin is beautiful. Next time we go there we'll have to look into it. Anyone else get the homesick call yet?</p>
<p>No, but we got the I poured water onto my cell phone and it no longer works call.</p>
<p>Not exactly what I was looking for...but funny none the less! ;)</p>
<p>I got a call after pre-orientation, but not because my d. was homesick. She just wanted to share the excitement.</p>
<p>Now that's a call I would have enjoyed! Instead I got the polar opposite. Once classes start we are very confident that this will change, but for now....it's a bit overwhelming to say the least. The first-years meet witheir academic advisors today and begin to choose classes. Seems like the orientation schedule picks up speed beginning today; a good thing! There's also a theatrical performance tonight at 8:00 and a museum bash at 10:00.</p>
<p>Did your daughter attend pre-orientation, BJM8?</p>
<p>No, she didn't. She didn't think it was necessary, and didn't like the offerings so much. I think she's as much taken aback by the way she feels, as we are. We just keep encouraging, and things will be fine. Hey, no calls yet. Better than yesterday!</p>
<p>The pre-orientation program made all the difference for my daughter. She wasn't wild about the offerings, either, but I told her that the program would give her the opportunity to get to know a few people before the rest of the campus arrived. Within five hours, she was already hanging out with four other women. She adored the program because it both forced her out of her comfort zone and supported her in the process.</p>
<p>In your daughter's case, she didn't get those nurturing few days and instead was thrust into the whirlwind of orientation. It will take her a little longer perhaps to find her footing because right now there are few opportunities to talk to other first-years. She <em>will</em> get that chance, though. Don't worry. As you say, things will be fine.</p>
<p>My daughter is a transfer so things are a bit different for her. Did not expect her to be homesick this year (she was last year). Transfers aren't really able to do pre-o, but my daughter has said that orientation is somewhat stressfull. She has opted out of a couple of things to keep herself centered. Also, the rain can be a bit of a downer. Today could be much better just because the sun is finally shining. My daughter says so far she loves, loves, loves Smith. Her dorm room is amazing, her roomate is very nice, and the food is great. I think it is perfectly normal to experience some homesickness. You are close enough to visit and take her out for lunch, but I would try to discourage her coming home the first few weekends.</p>