<p>What's the orientation schedule like? Is there time to meet with parents after the initial move in day? When do parents typically leave? Thank you</p>
<p>I can't give the general freshman perspective on orientation because I did Project BUILD, and was delirious during the first few days of orientation due to getting 3 or 4 hours of sleep per night for the 8 days prior to orientation. We were encouraged to skip out on the first few days of orientation, go back with our parents to whatever hotels they were staying in, and sleep.</p>
<p>I ended up not doing that, because I was excited to meet people and see the campus, so I'll tell you what I know. There are a lot of events planned for orientation. Different presentations about the perks and dangers of college life, an extracurricular activities fair, discussion groups for your summer reading, and other things of the sort. You can opt to do as many of these things as you want (though I'd advise to not try to do it all... your head might start spinning before classes even start!).</p>
<p>As for parents, you can make time to meet with them if you want. They are encouraged to leave after Convocation, if I can remember my orientation packet correctly. I think Convocation was the day after move-in. There are no "set in stone" rules about all of this stuff (welcome to college).</p>
<p>there's enough time to meet with your parents whenever you want. convocation is the day after move-in, and most parents leave that afternoon or night (mine stuck around for at least a day or so after). you can do as much or as little orientation stuff as you want-- though some stuff i think is mandatory, or at least highly recommended like convocation and summer reading discussions/fac dinners. as for everything, if you're going to it and it's on west, go early!! it takes forever and a day to get on an east-west bus during orientation. </p>
<p>i didn't do any of the info sessions when i was a freshman (like what to do with a major some deem as useless, pre-business, pre-law, etc.) so i had a lot of time to get adjusted, hang out with friends, and spend some time with my family.</p>
<p>Yeah, the info sessions aren't all that useful IMO. The only stuff you should plan ahead for are things on West (for the previously mentioned issues with getting a bus) and anything that's mandatory. Other than that, you can just do what you want.</p>
<p>Go see the Real Deal!!</p>
<p>(Sorry...shameless plug since I'm in it.)</p>
<p>what's the real deal?</p>
<p>Something I didn't have to watch because of Project Child...and I'm kinda grateful. :p</p>
<p>Yea orientation is cool. Nothing is really mandatory, even if it says it is. Although, I highly recommend going to convocation. It's a cool experience. Go to all the entertainment and FAC activities, those are fun too. All the pre-med, pre-law, study abroad, etc info sessions IMO are pretty useless. At every one I went to, some rep from the related departments sat on a stage and read off info that you can get on the website. Spend that time meeting and hanging out with people. You'll have alot more fun.</p>
<p>PS: Go to the Durham Bulls (baseball) game. That was pretty fun. Plus, if I remember correctly, you get alot of good free food. Free food is something you will yearn for in college</p>
<p>OOH! The best free food was that New Devil Night...that was fantastic...that was the most elaborate lay up of free food I've ever seen and it was AMAZING. </p>
<p>Anyway, I don't think that's during orientation, but it's shortly after so go to that!!</p>