We gave DS1 a TV as a grad gift 3 years ago. I"m sure he watches way too much, and still does. I remember being a freshman…no one had a TV and we didn’t miss it! There were so many other things to do. I had one a the other years, but was never glued to it.
DS really needs to focus…alot…this first year. DH mentioned that it might not be a bad idea to NOT have a TV in the room, although he can if he wants. I was just wondering what everyone else’s kid did.
I told DS that there is nothing wrong with having a TV, it can actually be nice, if not abused.
My kid watches media on laptop – as freshman, he and his roommate coordinated on game system and tv as a gaming screen. I wasn’t thrilled about gaming in the room, but it meant their room was the destination, rather than someone else’s, which I think made sense as freshman. My kid never used his room to study in, he always used the dorm commons or library, so his room was only for sleeping and relaxation.
So, tv was useful as a screen, but they got the content online. No one had cable etc. in the dorm.
We gave older D a small TV when she went to college, but she never hooked it up, preferring to watch what little she did on her computer. When we moved her in, the boys across the hall had a 40-inch screen hooked up and were playing video games on it before we’d finished unpacking boxes. Different strokes. My younger D rarely watches TV, again preferring computer or tablet watching. Earbuds take care of disturbing anyone.
I’m surprised so many don’t have them and I’m Glad. I think we will discourage it, but not say no. He actually said himself yesterday that he didn’t want one (because he did pay hear his father and he’s a bit anxious about college). However, the real reason I think he said that is because he wants to spend his Graduation money thatr DH and I gave him on something else. A GoPro, which we will say NO. I know they are popular, but he will get hurt. He’s a little spacey, and has inattentive issues. I just think he needs to spend our gift on something else.
No, mine didn’t. D was given a used TV with built in DVD player for graduation and her school offers free cable (though you have to take a loan out for the specialized cable surge protector they require lol.) She chose not to take it though and happy with that decision. D uses her laptop or tablet to stream Netflix or Amazon Prime if she has time.
TV’s are nice for social reasons but I wouldn’t spend the money on it if there is anything else on the wish list.
I echo everyone else: very, very few kids had TVs in their rooms when S was in school. They watched media on their laptops, except for a weekly group viewing of The Office on the dorm common room TV.
Back in the dark ages, when I was in college, I only ever knew one person who had a tv in her room. There really was far too much to do that was more interesting.
Conmama–you give grad gift money and then nix what it is spent on? Hope you nixed it before giving him the money.
I understand your sentiments/fears on the GoPro but not sure how you can stop him from getting one.
As to original question–most dorms have TVs already and everything else was watched on computer (with earphones).
When I was a freshmen in the dorms, I didn’t know anyone who had a TV in their rooms. My roommates and I didn’t even mention it freshman year. Everyone I knew watched TV on their computers.
The only people I ever knew in college who had a TV were people who lived in apartments (not the dorms), and the TV went in the living room, not the bedroom. Everyone is different, but I certainly wouldn’t say that it’s very common for students to have TVs in the dorm rooms.
He doesn’t need the TV. It can be a nice luxury, but many, many students don’t have one and make due perfectly well.
Talk about first world problems!
Just kidding, just kidding! I used to think it would be such a pain to watch movies in a group off of someone’s laptop, but I did it so much in college and it’s really not a problem at all. It’s nice to have the bigger screen, but most students I know live without it. I remember one time when my roommate had her club over, and there were about fifteen people all watching a movie off of one laptop screen. Everyone was fine with it. There are bigger problems you could have.
We didn’t nix the GoPro. He mentioned how two of his friends got one and how much they cost and I could tell was looking for my reaction, or waiting for me to say, “Do you want to get one?” I didn’t respond, he didn’t ask. Then later on he mentioned he didn’t want a TV. He’s fishing and I’m not taking the bait.
The money was a gift, but if we think it’s something that he wouldn’t be mindful of and could get hurt…then yes, I’m stepping in. I’d never forgive myself.