<p>So my daughter started this year as a freshman..and I worried a little bit re: the comments that it was 'dead" and nothing to do on the weekends. Let me just say.. what I've seen with her - it is 100% of what you put into it. Her week is obviously loaded up with classes (Biochem major and wants a music minor). But, she is in Marching Band (if you don't play an instrument, the Athletic Band dept has different "areas" to participate in - like color guard etc.) and just got into the SB Volunteer Ambulance Corp. She is ALWAYS doing something, is having a ton of fun, and would never in a million years describe her week, nor her weekend as "quiet". She doesn't go back and sit in the dorm. We live 450 miles away, there has been no coming home on weekends so far, and she's loving it! So, go out there.. join in the fun.. you WILL get out of it, what you put into it. :-)</p>
<p>Lisa, I absolutely agree. We’re only two hours away, but my son hasn’t been home once since he arrived there. Like your daughter, he’s busy with classes all week and he also does research 10 hrs a week with a professor. He loves sports, so his free time has been filled with soccer, women’s lacrosse and football games. He’s absolutely looking forward to Homecoming today. Some nights, he’s perfectly content to grab dinner with friends and hang out in the common room playing video games with suitemates. The campus is so busy during the week that I think he actually looks forward to “quiet” weekends. Does he party? I’m sure he does occasionally (and discreetly), but he doesn’t want his college experience to be all about partying.</p>
<p>Yes…she is so excited about homecoming today 
She is coming home Thursday due to the holiday, but has to return on Saturday due to needing to be back for a hockey game? I think… and SBVAC training on Sunday… go figure ;-)</p>
<p>A truthful observation. Glad she’s enjoying Stony.</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>(I love the marching band. I do the public address announcing for the pregame and halftime shows.)</p>
<p>Chris</p>
<p>Chris…can’t wait to see her perform in person during parent/family day, it’s going to be my favorite part of our visit The youtube videos I’ve seen are very impressive.</p>
<p>The many activities available to fill your time are out there you just have to make an effort to do so or just hang out with your friends :D</p>
<p>I love the marching band. I be at the Student section every football game. I’m a big Seawolves fan so I attend every FB game and almost all basketball and lacrosse games. Stony Brook is very enjoyable if you get out and have fun. I been here for the past four years and improvement is noticeable every year. School spirit is booming, higher than ever before.</p>
<p>Attendance at games is higher.
Concerts are dragging more students
Events in general are getting more people out there</p>
<p>Sold out homecoming game at LaValle last week. Presbyterian match up coming up. Go Seawolves!!!</p>
<p>Add to this the fact that 21% of the incoming freshman class is out-of-state for the 2011 academic year, up from 6% in 2000. This means, less people going home and more students creating a better social atmosphere for themselves on weekends instead of taking the train and head home</p>
<p>
That certainly sounds good. I’m a parent of a sophomore who does agree with the common complaint about not much to do on weekends. Academics good, Long Island bad, is his evaluation of the place. My eval – he’s getting as much quality faculty attention at Stony Brook as I did at one of the lesser ivies. And he’s already one of the co-authors of a forthcoming journal article, which is not something I ever achieved. He does come home every few weekends despite it being five hours away. That’s his choice, and maybe it will change.</p>
<p>Note to prospective students: This is a real research university. At orientation, they tell parents, and I presume students, that students should get involved with research. If you are the type to go along with that program, you’ll get the same kind of attention, from creative internationally known faculty, as if you were going to a more famous private school. </p>
<p>Note to parents: Do not miss the Rolling Pin Bakery in the Three Village Shopping Plaza. As far as I’m concerned, it’s just as good as the TV cake boss place (Carlos Bakery) in Hoboken – without the lines.</p>