Registration is tomorrow for my daughter. She met with her academic advisor via zoom a couple of weeks ago to discuss ideas for her first semester (and her long term plans). After that discussion, daughter sent her ideas for potential schedules and they went back and forth over email with different ideas until she had 4 potential schedules that work; which one she actually will have depends on course availability tomorrow.
We are extremely happy with the contact and advice she has received thus far. Her (potential) schedules all move her forward in her long term plans, including being able to take advantage of two study abroad opportunities that she is very interested in. She definitely has her preferences for which schedule she is most excited by; fingers crossed she will be able to get that one.
Bowdoin has an original idea announced this morning that allows freshman to attend in the fall and have single dorm rooms. Letâs see who else in the NESCAC joins this bandwagon.
Daughter just finished up with 1st semester registration; successfully registered for all her top choices. Super excited that it went so smoothly, love to see that smile on her face!
We have received some additional information from University of Denver the past couple of weeks. Freshman will be able to choose from single room at the dorms, or live with a roommate in a suite. The suites will have four occupants that share a bathroom. S20 and his roommate have applied for a suite.
DU traditionally moves in on Labor Day with orientation week beginning on Tuesday. This year move in will be spread out on either Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, with orientation starting Wednesday evening. No word on what orientation will look like, but itâs nice to hear that they are trying to have some sort of limited iteration.
We are hoping for a Monday move in so the entire family can send him off. If not it will be just the two of us.
Bowdoin also testing everyone twice a week. All of these decisions are being made based on location, size, budget. Bowdoin had very limited options for housing off of campus, just 50 beds in the town to add to the inventory. After that, they would have had to put students in hotels 30 min drive from campus. Duke was able to find hotel space walkable to campus.
Are other families deep within the packing prep/buying spree of getting ready for college? We are trying to balance getting supplies we know O. will probably need (XL twin bedding when we found sheets on sale that she loved) and not buying too much in order to not be unpleasantly surprised if school goes remote at the last minute.
We are waiting until July to purchase her new computer (hoping for some sales to hit), and trying to figure out the most streamlined approach to the perennial âwhat to bring/what to leave homeâ questionâŠin case there is a quick push to leave before the planned Thanksgiving exodus from campus.
Has anyone found any âmust haveâ items for freshman year? Any âmost people bring this but it is a total waste of space and moneyâ items to avoid?
I think I am channeling all my âwhat is going to actually happenâ anxiety into packing/planning energy so if anyone else is doing the same, please let me know, lol.
Same here. Mine picked out and ordered bedding from the Dormify website, and I was looking at mattress toppers, etc. the other day. Trying to make sure she has what she needs to make it feel homey but, at the same time, not bring too much for the reasons you mentioned.
DS registered for all his classes a few weeks ago. We were happy only one was online and he managed to get them all in buildings pretty close together so no having to hop a bus to make his classes. Last night I heard a rumorâŠlogged in and 4/5 classes are now online. The 5th says TBD. I am super disappointed.
I am overbuying. I have a strong suspicion the plan is once a major outbreak hits to switch to online and keep students in their dorms. To that end, I want her dorm as comfortable and workable as possible. RIP my living room if she has to move out early as that is where her stuff normally gets stacked.
About 80% certain that freshman year will be online and at our house (90% certain the first semester will be). For that reason, I have bought nothing since Christmas when she got a piece of luggage and a keurig (which she cannot take with her). I am planning on getting her a new computer but may hold off a year if I know sheâll be here (the money is saved for it, so I can purchase it earlier than next year if her current MacAir dies (itâs 4 years old and has been great). I do need to get her bedding and may do that next month just so we have it (and hopefully can get on sale).
@beebee3 Besides the normal (fluffy rugs, good topper, desk chair pad and throw), she is taking a small, narrow recliner with massage feature (she is lofting her bed as her dorm has very high ceilings).
We are building her a TV stand that goes over her mini-fridge and microwave and has cabinets that will put the TV at the same height as her lofted bed. As my DD has never had a TV in her room (ever, she is excited. Also building a hutch for her desk⊠I am aware we at not by any degree low maintenance but she is a kid who only gets stuff for Christmas and birthday so we are splurging on the wood and paint and chair (TV was a gift from her grandpa).
To be fair my DD has lived away from home since she was 13 so we know what she likes and what will make her comfy.
Anyone telling your student to pack light in case (god forbid) they have to come home early and or wonât be allowed back in the spring? Iâm trying to manage my Dâs expectations this coming school year.
@socaldad2002 I am going the other way which is to assume most NC schools will attempt to keep campuses open even if classes are online so I want her dorm to be comfy. My DD would actually prefer to be online and save the room and board but sadly she canât without losing her scholarship. She is fine to come home at any point and I will mourn my living room as I know she will drop everything there.
Planning out and buying for her dorm room is keeping D20 both occupied and happy so weâre rolling with it! Not going crazy by any means but sheâs bringing some fun things to make it cozy (tv, rug, curtains etc) and her roommate is too. As of right now all her classes are still in person but we know a lot could change in the coming weeks. Weâre only an hour away so if we need to go haul it all back home at any point itâs not a big deal.
@socaldad2002
Yes we are going with packing light for DS20. Just the basics. Heâs going to be 7 hour drive away and canât have a car.
DD17 has had tons of extra stuff and way too many clothes at her off campus apartment the last two years, and she too is planning to pare down significantly.
In normal times itâs a pain to deal with moving all that stuff, and we all agree that at least at first less is better - for us.
@MBNC1755 Yâall sound super handy/crafty, and I am not sharing your plans with my daughter or she will be begging for all that stuff and we are definitely not handy enough for woodworking/building (though I am wondering where you found narrow massage chair, please share if you are willing). It all sounds really awesome, I am sure it is going to be even better than it sounds.
Our daughter is planning on lofting her bed as well (very high ceilings in her dorm room too) and we just picked out fabric to make bed skirt panels so that she create a wee nook under her bed with comfy chair/lamp that can be more private. We havenât yet made decision on chair for under the bed, hence my question about the one you found.
@socaldad2002 Weâve been going through and trying to reduce the amount of stuff necessary to pack. Unfortunately, thus far all efforts have led to additional purchases rather than a paring down of existing items. For example, in trying to reduce the number of shoes to pack, we somehow ended up buying 2 new pairs in order to get her to agree to only take 4 pairs total (1 pair boots, 2 pairs casual shoes (these are the new ones), 1 pair dress shoes). I am not counting shower shoes in her total as those are non-negotiable in my mind as a basic hygiene item.
The other potential overpacking areas are coats (why does she have so many coats?), throw blankets (she definitely subscribes to the multi-layering approach in her bedding, she is always cold) and knitting materials (I worry her roommate will lose it with the yarn, so much yarn). Those are battles to have closer to packing though, so I am trying to not think too much about those items.
Right now, we are trying to figure out the best bed cubby for holding charger, phone, etc for easy access in lofted bed. Also trying to figure out best storage solutions for the room in general.
We are also doing a curtain
ook area under the bed. It is nice for them to have some space to themselves (especially if everything goes online and they are spending tons of time with their roommate).
We are doing a tray that attaches to the loft frame for her bed and chargers and running everything up the side of her bed secured with zip ties.
Mine picked out and ordered bedding from the Dormify website, and I was looking at mattress toppers, etc. the other day. Trying to make sure she has what she needs to make it feel homey but, at the same time, not bring too much for the reasons you mentioned.