<p>On the first day? To help them move their stuff in and unpack. I know its a really stupid question but I thought I ask since I know in advance I'm going to make the 7 hour drive alone.</p>
<p>Absolutely, would not have missed it for anything. But as a helper, supporter, financier and one-woman moving company, not as operations director. </p>
<p>If she gets into grad or professional school and if I'm invited or asked to help, I'll do that too, no matter where in the world it is. </p>
<p>On the other hand, some parents cannot make the trip, either for financial or timing reasons, and some students don't want help. That's o.k. too, it's whatever works best for each family.</p>
<p>We plan on driving ours and there are activities/info sessions for parents the first 2 days at one of her choices. If she goes to that one, she wants me to stay in a local hotel for the 1st week in case she has an anxiety attack. I have heard of many parents doing this, so I am considering it.</p>
<p>Parents traditionally drop students off and help them move in at the beginning of their freshman year. But it's certainly not a requirement. We went and moved my daughter in on her first day, but back when I went off to college my parents did not go, and everything turned out okay. It helps to have your parents there, but most kids can swing it on their own if need be.</p>
<p>Oh yes! Momma wants to see where her darling will be living ;)</p>
<p>I wouldn't miss it for the world.</p>
<p>That said, my parents loaded me on a plane and I handled the rest of it by myself. It was not good.</p>
<p>Lol! Yeah I want my mom to come but I know she's not going to so...I'll be doing the move alone. But mom's are so motherly that we when they see someone else who needs help they'll help, So if i have any questions I'll sure they'll be a few around.</p>
<p>Oh wow! Don't make that long drive all by yourself and then have to move in by yourself, which can take many more hours if there is a line up of cars ahead of you waiting to unload! Take along a parent or someone who can help you move in and get settled! If you can't take someone, see if you can get permission to move in the day before official move-in-day. Son did that last year and it made the move in so easy and stress free. Cost us $50 extra and boy was it worth it!</p>
<p>Absolutely we're going! My S went on his college choice visit all on his own, so I have never "seen" the town or college. My H lived near this town when he was young so at least he has a picture in his mind. All I've got is college brochure pics in my mind! He's got a 1200+ drive to get his car there so we will "follow" in our car with his brothers, make a summer vacation of it, drop him off, set up a bank account, stay in hotel, kiss him goodbye and head out after a couple days, but absolutely we'll "drop him off". I'm guessing he won't want us "hanging around" but we can help schlep his gear and attend a parent info session or two. We may even head his way and ski with him a few times over the years. He may be leaving the nest but as my 86 year old mother says to me and I say to my boys "you'll always be my child".</p>
<p>Both DH and I moved DS into college (and attended his orientation right before classes began his freshman year). I flew cross country with DD to do the same with her. I agree with the others...I wouldn't have missed it for the world. The only disappointment we had was that DH was not able to join us for DD's move in. It was a wonderful time with both kids...and nice to see them settled into their new homes.</p>
<p>bbecker, a lot of my classmates when i went to college didn't have parents help them move in--the trip was too long/expensive for a lot of families. Everything worked out fine. I think you're very right, that there will be other parents there who are willing to help you (like your roommate's parents, if you have a roommate) and there will very likely be college staff around who are helping with the move-in process as well. </p>
<p>the parents who responded here are something of a skewed sample--these are the people with the time, computers, english-language proficiency, and interest in their kids' college to post on college message boards in the first place! you won't be the only one moving in on your own.</p>
<p>Many colleges will have your RA's on helper duty on moving day. They usually give most of their attention to the students whose parents couldn't make it.</p>
<p>Yes. Absolutely. Unless, of course, you can't.</p>
<p>I am so glad we accompanied our son for move in. I know he would have managed without us. But, incredibly, we really were helpful! </p>
<p>And it was much easier on ME, later, to have a good mental picture of where he was. Fortunately, S's school did a great job with separate parent and student orientation activities. Just enough togetherness, but not too much, so that the transition was supported quite nicely.</p>
<p>Unsolicited advice: try really hard to remember that this is not your room. They may have some wacky ideas about what goes where and you know there is no way in H E double-hockey-sticks that it will make sense.....deep breath....they will figure it out!</p>
<p>I did not accompany my kids to college this year - and neither wanted me there. My daughter was flying from west to east coast, and she felt that she was better off without me, in terms of managing her stuff. Given the expense of a 2nd round trip fare, hotels & cabs -- I think she was right. My son had about a 5 hour drive to his school -- and he simply was able to fit more stuff into the car without me in it -- plus we didn't face the problem of how to get me home so he could keep the car. </p>
<p>I know that it can be nice to have your parents along, but it's a mixed blessing. When my son went to his first college 5 years ago, I did travel with him -- but we ended up snapping at each other and bickering a lot because of all of the stress. It was nice for me to see his dorm room and I did help him with set up -- but he could have handled things alone. </p>
<p>I think in the long run my kids were better off this year without my help. To the extent that it resulted in my daughter packing lighter and taking less stuff -- that's a good thing.</p>
<p>My parents were mad at me for choosing to go to school that accepted me off the waitlist and they told me I had to find my own ride. </p>
<p>I drove to school with a 3rd year engineering student and I absolutely loved the sense of freedom of arriving on my own. My rommmate's parents were hovering and even that was too much. </p>
<p>On principle, I would not accompany either son to move in day. They don't need me to set up their dorm rroms--the idea of that is so silly. To me. They fly 9000 miles and get themselves set up. Works out fine--but both are socially adept and make friends easily.</p>
<p>Don't worry too much if your parents can't help on move-in day, bbecker. (I had a B. Becker in my dorm just down the hall!) But you should probably leave very early if you have to drive seven hours and then move in. Probably lots of the kids will already be moved in by the time you arrive and they will lend a hand. </p>
<p>My RA at college met her future husband on move-in day when she was a freshman. He was an RA and helped carry her things to her room. ;) They now both work at that same university together. So, see--who knows what adventures and possibilities await!</p>
<p>We will be here for you. Yes, some of the parents may be busy with move ins but I'm sure plenty will be checking in here. You can ask questions, tell us about your roomate, whatever you want. The parents here are always willing to listen. Some kids, particularly those going a long distance, move in themselves. I'm sure you will find a Mom at your school to adopt you for the day, particularly one of the moms whose kid is ignoring them. And if you are not checking in as a freshman, a lot of the kids will be doing things on their own. You will be fine and before long, you will find someone who will invite you to their home for the weekend.</p>
<p>Thank you for all the advice and stories. Alot of kids prefer their parents not be there. But it seems that the parents who hover are the ones who their kids never want around lol because in my case, My mom never hovered for anything. She is willing to take a weekend trip to las vegas instead of taking me to college but its fine, I'll do it on my own, After all I dont expect my mom to help me move into my first house either. She wont be very involved but she will show up for my college graduation....maybe. thanks</p>
<p>"she will show up for my college graduation....maybe."
this statement is sad! so sorry you have such a indifferent mom. no wonder you are OK with going off to college by yourself.</p>
<p>Moved D in 2 years ago, and went back to help her move out, then back again for soph year, and will be there for the move-out again. I don't think I oculd have stood not seeing where she was going to be, especially since she was 1800+ miles away. I was able to picture her there, and it made the separation easier. Not seeing would have left me wondering and uneasy. Bigger move-out this year, as she is doing Study Abroad next year, and can't leave everything for a year and a half. It's great bonding time, as well. There wer emany parents there, as there were kids without parents. The dads were great about helping us lift and load. And our foldable dolly was a great hit with everyone, and helped D meet other kids right away! I went back to the hotel to give her some private time, but was needed to do the Wal-Mart runs (there were many). Wouldn't miss it for the world!</p>