<p>I’ve read about all the help that’s provided for students moving into a dorm----- can someone give me an idea about how long families usually stay once their child is moved in/unpacked? Do families leave right afterwards? Take their s/d out for lunch?</p>
<p>Having only one year under our belt, this is how we did it last year. We moved S in. He put some things away (pretty much was claiming his space) and then we went to the bookstore to get his books. He really didn’t need someone to go with him, but I was squeezing every last bit of time with him as I could. Plus the books were pretty heavy since it was every one he needed as an incoming freshman. After we dropped the books back at the dorm, we went out for a nice dinner. Bonus for both of us-time for me and free food for him…</p>
<p>He didn’t put the rest of his stuff away until later. He didn’t need me hanging around for that. </p>
<p>I would imagine we will do the same thing this year. He is living on campus again so why break the tradition.</p>
<p>I think a lot depends on time constraints each family has (we had none) and the type of people involved. All a personal preference. There are no activities that I know of that parents or students are required to attend. Students may have a mandatory dorm floor meeting if not that day, within the first few.</p>
<p>Good luck with the moving in!</p>
<p>I agree that it will vary by family and the student.</p>
<p>DD will be a junior this coming year, so this will be the third time moving her into her dorm. The first year, DD was checked in and had everything in her room by 9:30 am. (The OWLs are amazing.) Her roommate was not yet there, so we helped her put her things away since we were taking some of the totes back home with us. We discovered there were a few extra things she needed (like a floor lamp because the lighting in the rooms in Taylor Tower is pretty dim) and we went to Target. We returned to the dorm so the OWLs could once again take the stuff to the room for us, and then we went to have lunch. After lunch we went to the bookstore to get a couple of packets for her classes that were only available at the bookstore. (We found it was cheaper to get her books online, mainly through Amazon, than to get them at the OSU bookstore, although some classes will have workbooks or packets that are only available at the OSU store.) We left mid-afternoon, and there were still plenty of parents around when we left.</p>
<p>The second time was similar, except we didn’t need to get much at Target and we left earlier.</p>
<p>This year we will probably again take advantage of the OWLs and move her in that day. It will be much easier since she is living in a single and has no roommate this year to contend with. Not sure what we will be doing after she is settled in, but again, it’s all a personal preference as NervousNellie1 said. I think the most important thing is to just be flexible and take your cue from your child.</p>
<p>If I move in a day late, will there still be OWLS there to help?</p>
<p>@RobinKennedy23-no. The OWLS are only there for the actual move day and specific time frame established for moving in. You should still be able to use the carts though. Just ask at the front desk of the dorm. I think you will need to leave your driver’s license while you are borrowing the carts.</p>
<p>Sounds like they should have night OWLS :)</p>
<p>Do you all live in Ohio? I’m out of state and wondered how that would work too…</p>
<p>When and how will families be notified about their assigned time frame for moving into the dorm?</p>
<p>My dad left right after, my mom took me to lunch. Then she left.</p>
<p>I was an OWL and when I moved in last year, my parents helped me unpack and we made a last minute run to the store for a few things I forgot (whoops). Side note, they set up a bed bath & beyond at the Union for move in day with some commonly forgotten items which was very helpful! My parents picked up my textbooks from the store for me while I unpacked. They took me to lunch and then we said goodbye. Some people had their parents hanging around all day and some parents just left immediately. Definitely a matter of personal preference. Good luck with packing/moving in!</p>
<p>mgemler, my daughter received an email a few weeks ago that provided a link to choose a time to check-in. Have you been checking your OSU email?</p>
<p>We did not receive any email asking us to choose a check in time???</p>
<p>Just called housing, the bigger dorms have specific times, my sons does not.</p>
<p>Last year (as a freshman) my S got a call from his RA introducing herself and telling him the move in “window”.</p>
<p>This year he has not heard from RA. He did get an email from housing with the instructions for move in but no specific time. I’m thinking we will get there when we get there.</p>
<p>NervousNellie, that’s what happened last year for DD in Taylor Tower. Her RA did not call, but he did send several group emails about when to move in. He requested that people on her floor arrive in the afternoon, but that was not a good option for us, and we arrived by 9 am.</p>
<p>This year DD is in Jones. She has not heard from her RA, but did receive an email from OSU Housing about check-in time. </p>
<p>mgemler and 3anddone, I’m pretty sure the times are not set in stone. As I mentioned above, DD’s RA requested that they move in during the afternoon, but it was not a requirement. We had DD checked in and moved into her room by 9:30. Taylor is a very large residence hall, and DD’s room was right by the front door. Ohio State has the entire move-in process down to a science. You pull up, the OWLs unload the contents of your car into carts and take it to your room. Then the driver of the car leaves and parks in a designated area. It’s all very quick, and we never saw more than a car waiting to unload.</p>