Our move in experience for my sophomore sounds similar. Son had an assigned move in time and first stop was a health check in, for both of us. He also had to wear his lanyard all day as a symbol that he had done the health check in (where presumably they verify negative test results of the test everyone did before move in). That process was very smooth and quick. He then got his key alone at his dorm office, parents were asked to wait outside, there were just like 3 of us on the patio. Moved into the single without really seeing a single soul on the floor!! Son says it is still that way LOL! Introvert floor!
So overall it was very quiet, and we didn’t see or interact with people, which, of course, was the goal. And, being sophomore move in, I’m sure that’s always way more low-key, and there was no roommate or roommate family to deal with. There were students walking around of course, and out playing volleyball in the yard with masks on. We did the usual trip to Target and just got drive through food and ate it in his room while setting some stuff up. He met up with friends after I left. I felt fine. It was very easy and low key. Emotions were so much lower than last year, although the Convocation Ceremony for all first years was a huge wonderful part of that.
The biggest difference, besides just interacting with no one, was, when driving around, seeing the groups of what I imagine were the freshmen, sitting outdoors, in masks, very spread apart, probably having an orientation session. I felt bad for them…I’m glad that they get to be on campus, but the whole orientation process was probably much less “fun” all spread apart and in masks, even though everyone we saw (from afar LOL) was super friendly and enthusiastic. And the fact that the freshmen and their families didn’t get to experience the super-special ceremony in person that really had all of us feeling great and excited as we said our goodbyes.
