<p>My son (an incoming freshman) recently received a brochure for the "WPI Record", which appears to be a yearbook of sorts. For about $25 it will include his picture (which we provide) and some bio info about him. (The bio information is very "formula", it doesn't even include Robotics as one of the areas of interest.)</p>
<p>Is it worthwhile? Do many students participate in this?</p>
<p>I've been to the "HerffJones" website, and it is clearly a product that is marketed to many colleges.</p>
<p>We will not be signing S up for it. He prefers to fly under the radar and figures he will meet his friends in his classes and ECs. Plus we are spending enough and this just did not seem like a “must have” type of thing.</p>
<p>How about the laundry service? Anyone signing up for that? How hard is it to find an open washer and dryer when you need it or have a moment to do laundry</p>
<p>“Freshman Directory” was important 25 years ago - especially for those who were trying to put names with faces. With Facebook, I’m not sure it’s really necessary, but I went along with it since I still have mine (with notes in it!) kicking around.</p>
<p>For the laundry… From what I understand you can check online to tell when the washers and dryers are in use, or when your laundry cycle is complete. Honestly, I can’t imagine signing up for laundry service, but that’s just me. I have some fond memories of the basement of Daniels at odd hours of the night and finding other people’s laundry in my dryer load…</p>
<p>Not sure about the directory – haven’t asked S. We did get one for D when she started at her school 3 years ago – not really sure how much she used it.</p>
<p>Re: laundry service – a resounding NO. IMO, there’s absolutely no reason he can’t do his own. (One of many life skills he’ll be developing over the coming years.)</p>
<p>I did not sign my son up for the laundry service. If he can’t do his own laundry, then he’s got a problem. I saw on another post that 21 pairs of socks and underwear are recommended. Wow, that’s a lot. I suspect he can make that last 7 weeks. I’m inclined to give him much less, so that he has to do laundry.</p>
<p>I also did not sign him up for the BB&B linen purchase package. I think we can hobble together what little he needs from around the house. He really doesn’t care about having an entire matching, color coordinated, room! As long as there is room for his copious quantity of D&D materials, he will be happy.</p>
<p>Hard as it is to believe, no D&D at this house.</p>
<p>S is alread signed up to the Facebook group on WPI (or at least that is how I interpret it) - there was an invite and he signed on, don’t know that he uses it much yet</p>
<p>Yep, big into D&D, and some other role playing games (most recent addition: Savage Worlds).</p>
<p>Actually I am quite happy about it. In middle school and through 9th grade, he was very socially isolated. In 10th grade he re-connected with a friend from 3rd grade, and they started D&Ding. A group has built up around them, and it warms my heart to hear them beating the crap out of each other in the dining room! I am hopeful that he will find a group of like-minded geeks at WPI. It seems likely.</p>
<p>So far he has resisted FaceBook, but he has indicated that he might be willing to try it for college. If that is where a lot of the day-to-day social arrangements are made, it seems pretty important to be plugged in to it.</p>
<p>DragonLady
I have no doubt he will find a group of D&D players there. I think they may even have a club for it.
S plays plenty of role playing interactive online games - as he too is socially isolated because of our rural living. I just never bought him D&D and don’t think I’ll start now. If he wants it he can save his pennies (WHEN he starts earning some LOL)</p>
<p>D&D can get mighty expensive with all the books. Son and his 2 best friends have amassed quite a library. We parents are dying to find out how they will split the library up when they depart for three very separate colleges.</p>