<p>I’m one of those kids who never had a problem being shipped off to summer camp for three weeks and wouldn’t call my mother a single time.</p>
<p>My first night of college here, I cried. I was homesick pretty badly. My mom and stepdad were there the next day to take me out to Pamelas before they left, and I’m glad they stayed the extra day, just so I could see them one last time after being thrown into a foreign room with unfamiliar strangers as roommates. </p>
<p>I would advise parents to stay until Monday evening if your kid wishes (as I did), but not any later than that - please for the love of God don’t be that creepy mom who’s still there on Wednesday going, “Timmy! Timmy! Don’t you want to have lunch with your super cool mom and your new friends?”</p>
<p>Your child is probably going to be spending the nights of orientation doing things like getting wasted for the first time or hooking up with some random CIT girl. Do not be a helicopter parent. </p>
<p>STUDENTS: Get there as early as possible and call dibs on the best bed. No, seriously. I’d recommend 8 AMish.</p>