<p>My son has orientation next week and I was wondering how important the information sessions are from a parent perspective. I have a meeting that has come up (2 hours away from columbus) that I’d like to keep. Do the kids generally stay with the parents on the first night or ditch them! The window i have for the meeting is mon night or tue morning. thanks all.</p>
<p>I would skip evening and do your meeting then…
Last year, the evening was separate activities for parents and students. We ate an early dinner with dd as lunch was early and then I skipped the evening parent session, which was a student panel discussion on co-curricular opportunities (study abroad, co-ops, undergrad reseach and academic honoraries) and met a Columbus friend for drinks in short North. Another parent I know went and said it was nice but not critical. </p>
<p>I saved my schedule-we were done with scheduling session at 3:30 so dd could have gone to a math info session or taken her assessment, if needed until 5, 5-6:15 was dinner service, 6:20 was her next session, followed by 7:30 evening activities through 10ish. I could have also done a 6:30 city tour of Columbus before the 7:30 panel discussion.</p>
<p>Tuesday morning started at 8 am with special interest sessions on pre-professional programs, financial aid, minority affairs and computing choices. Both to Life outside the classroom at 9; followed by Housing/Commuting for students and Counseling options for parents at 10, then met again for final scheduling at 11:15. Afternoon a jumble of optional activities to do things if you still needed to (health services, open computer, BuckID, etc)</p>
<p>I highly recommend going to orientation. </p>
<p>Our D stayed in the dorms and we met up with her for certain segments. We did our own thing in the evenings.</p>