Harvard Parent Thread

<p>Mammall: I’d suggest that your daughter begin to look over the online course selection over the summer to get some ideas of classes that she’d like to shop. She should check the CUE guide too. Do not plan on lots of advice from an advisor.</p>

<p>^^ Many thanks twinmom and Marite - have printed out your advice and given it to my D who was most grateful to receive it. The psychologys of just “getting in” is so great that it’s hard for some kids like my D to shift gears and begin to focus on the next step - actually becoming a student at H.</p>

<p>okay, here’s what someone told me… after a snow storm, the snow is so bright that you are required to wear sunglasses that block out 90% of the harmful rays. If not, then you run the risk of really damaging your eyes. Is this true? Again, we are from Orange County Calif. (10 min. from Laguna Beach and there is no snow here) should my son worry about this?</p>

<p>No. I don’t wear sunglasses–ever.
One of my friends, however, went skiing in CO one year. He had decided to shave his beard. he returned with sunburn on his chin. But I don’t think it’s ever happened to students.
I do love it in winter when the skies are clear blue. Quite often, it’s also very cold, but as long as you are dressed warmly, you can enjoy the sunshine.</p>

<p>I do wear sunglasses here in the winter sometimes. You wouldn’t need them for a short walk from the dorms to class, but when I use them on long walks or runs, and also when driving.</p>

<p>Please do not worry about sunglasses - except in July and August!</p>

<p>Thanks twinmom!</p>

<p>^ ^ Unless, of course, your son wants to make a fashion statement! ;)</p>

<p>Does anyone know when we should be receiving information for the fall year? Just curious if they will send things like roommate info, meal plan info? how to pay info? Anything else info?</p>

<p>The term bill is sent in July, I believe, and is due by August 15. There is no meal plan info as everyone is on the same meal plan, so room &board and tuition are all included in the same bill as is the mandatory health fee.<br>
There will be a housing form which will be used for roommate assignment, but I can’t remember when it is sent out.</p>

<p>If a student pretty much knows what classes they will be taking, is there a way to find out what text books will be used? Looking to perhaps shop around and save money and also give DD1 a chance to look over the material.</p>

<p>At freshman/parent weekend last year I went to a seminar that touched on freshman burnout. Apparently one of the drawbacks of getting into H is the desire/fear/expectation to personally live up to H’s reputation.</p>

<p>Among the top ten pieces of advice that were offered to freshman:
(I’m paraphrasing)
Get more sleep
Be or do something different than you were or did in highschool
See where your interests lead you
You were not an admissions mistake.</p>

<p>This is a good summer for incoming freshmen to chill.</p>

<p>Do not listen to these anti-sunglasses opinions! Your child most certainly will need a pair of [url=<a href=“http://www.icebike.org/images/inuit_large.jpg]these[/url”>http://www.icebike.org/images/inuit_large.jpg]these[/url</a>] for those long lengthy days of igloo building, ice drill fishing and competitive dog sledding.</p>

<p>Thanks Marite and Shiloh. I appreciate the info. You’re probably right with the burnout thing. My son wants to do well at H and thinks that everyone there is so much smarter than he his. I’ll suggest that he enjoys this summer and can relax. :)</p>

<p>mammall-If your daughter shops for her textbooks at the Coop when she first arrives on campus, she’ll be able to purchase the used copies at a considerable discount. Normally, students take advantage of shopping period to sit in on various classes and professors finalizing their schedules. </p>

<p>There is no real need to “look over the material” beforehand (code words for getting an early advantage/start over her fellow students?). With her stellar scores, she is obviously more than capable of doing well within the normal schedule, without a headstart. </p>

<p>A summer job, internship, or volunteer project might be the right antidote to a senior year of little sleep, to prevent the burn-out of which the freshman dean warns.</p>

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<p>Pretty much every incoming freshman at Harvard thinks this.</p>

<p>Enjoy… inspiration at it’s best!</p>

<p>[J.K</a>. Rowling Speaks at Harvard Commencement : Harvard Magazine](<a href=“http://harvardmagazine.com/go/jkrowling.html]J.K”>http://harvardmagazine.com/go/jkrowling.html)</p>

<p>^^My daughter graduated on Thursday, and I thought JK Rowling gave a great speech - much more entertaining and inspiring than the one Chairman Bernanke gave on Class Day. Plus I thought Ms. Rowling looked kind of cute decked out in Harvard doctoral regalia when they gave her the honorary degree.</p>

<p>And of course the whole proceedings were full of the rituals and traditions that Harvard does so well. Commencement began exactly on time at 9:45 AM with the huge bell in Memorial Church being rung by hand, followed by High Sheriff of Middlesex County coming out in a silk top hat and banging his staff three times on the stage and in a booming voice officially calling the “public meeting” to order.</p>

<p>I was impressed with the graduating senior who gave the traditional Latin oration. 22 seniors had written speeches in Latin and entered the competition for the honor, and this young woman was the winner. I listened and tried to figure out what she was saying without reading the translation provided in the program. When she exclaimed " Gaudete! Vicimus!" I whispered to my wife that she had said “Be joyful! We have won!” The official translation was “Rejoice! We conquer!” Close enough. Throughout the speech she smiled broadly and gestured “ad locutio” in true old Roman rhetorical style.</p>

<p>Another nice ceremony was when each of the deans of the various schools came forward and presented their graduating seniors to President Faust for her to confer their degrees. Each dean would doff his/her mortar board cap three times and bow three times first to the president, next the Board of Overseers, and then the other officials and then turn and make the formal presentation of the graduates.</p>

<p>Around noon the High Sheriff closed the meeting and we all retired the Houses for lunch and the presentation of the diplomas. Unlike every graduation I’ve ever seen before, they actually gave my daughter her real diploma and not an and empty holder.</p>

<p>It was a great day.</p>

<p>coureur,
Congratulations to all! Your words are awe inspiring to the incoming Class of 2012! </p>

<p>[Commencement</a> 2008 : Harvard Magazine](<a href=“http://harvardmagazine.com/web/commencement/comm-2008]Commencement”>http://harvardmagazine.com/web/commencement/comm-2008)</p>

<p>Hope you’ll keep posting.</p>

<p>Oh, Coureur - there you go again! Getting me all misty eyed. Now just stop it.</p>

<p>Congrats to your daughter, congrats to you.</p>