<p>Are you guys going to Freshman Orientation with parents? Or are you going alone or with friends? I assumed I would go with a parent because I thought everyone did.. but now I'm hearing that a lot of people just go with friends and such. I don't have any close friends going to UCSB.. so I don't know who I'd go with. I don't want to go alone because I live in NorCal in the Bay Area, so it's kind of far.</p>
<p>I was just wondering how many people are actually bringing relatives.. because I don't want to be the only one with a parent there haha.</p>
<p>My D is a freshman at UCSB. At orientation last July, almost every student had at least one parent with him/her. We even signed up to stay in the dorms, but would not have missed out on any activities if we had slept at a motel instead, and would have been more comfortable. (Parents and students are assigned to different buildings anyway.) I think it was helpful to her that we were there, as you will register for your fall classes at the end of orientation. She seemed to have more confidence in her choices because we could discuss them with her as she was going through the process.</p>
<p>I'm bringing my mom...I've already visited twice this year without her, so this time she insisted on coming. We're not staying in the dorms though...we're staying with family. </p>
<p>My orientation date is Session 1...June 24-25..when is everyone elses?</p>
<p>Dumb question: Where in the Bay area do you live?</p>
<p>As for your question, you don't need to bring a parent with you. If you want to, go ahead, but don't feel like it's required. A lot of people find it a bit constricting when you should meet people and keep in touch over summer. Phone home when you want to discuss class choices and tell your parents how you're doing. Meggs, I'd strongly recommend that you stay in the dorms while your mom stays with your family. </p>
<p>Believe it or not, a lot of people have friends they met at Orientation and kept up with. It's the quickest way to meet people from other dorms and open up new social circles, especially since this is the first chance, a time when no one knows anyone yet. Try to be friends with your roommate for Orientation, you never know. :)</p>
<p>I can't remember anyone coming last year WITHOUT a parent, unless they came with a friend and his/her parent. But I really don't recommend that-- be a "single" student if you can, without any friends from your high school at the same orientation. That way you will have to reach out and make friends. My D "found" her roommate there-- they mutually decided to contact the housing office and request to be together in the fall. It has been wonderful, and they will be roommates again in IV next year.</p>
<p>I'm not too worried about not staying in the dorms...I've stayed in 'em before, and plus it costs more money. I'm not too worried about meeting people, because it comes really easily to me.</p>
<p>As long as you've made a considered decision, that's good. Again, I just remember hearing how much fun a lot of people had with their roommates and random people at Orientation, staying up til 2 AM playing games and such. It's not often(except Welcome Week, which is going to be killer for me :) that you get to be "in college" without having tons of work and exams.</p>