<p>I was wondering how mandatory and important is orientation. The school that she has chosen to go to has an all day long orientation that they say is mandatory for both parents and for the student. My husband is having a hard time with her leaving the nest so to speak and does not want to spend the money to go. We live in the south and her school is in the northeast. Moving in day is a whole month after orientation so he thinks that she could just skip it and that way he would not have to go. Can anyone help? Is it important to be there? We are going to have to fly up spend night and fly home then it is a 2 ½ day drive up there and back when I drop her off at her dorm. Thanks anyone who can shed some light.</p>
<p>floundering:</p>
<p>Is the issue time and money or is it your H having a hard time adjusting to the prospect of his D leaving the nest? If it is the latter case, it might be a very good idea for him to go to orientation. These are intended to both orient the students and reassure the parents that their chicks are in good hands. This will be especially true if your H does not see her off at her dorm on moving day.</p>
<p>yeah it is the fact that he does not want her to leave and he is using the money as an excuse. I am going to be making the plane reservations and hotel room with in the next 2 weeks and i think he should go also. However i am still in the dark aobut what all is covered at the orientation.</p>
<p>I know at my son’s school, the two day orientation was used for taking placement tests, consulting advisors and registering for classes, and for learning more about the school, as well as having some fun and getting to know other new kids so you wouldn’t feel as lost when you got there on the first day. I think with the parents they go over school policies, financial aid, etc. and allow plenty of time for questions. (Parently attendance was not mandatory at my son’s school, so he went alone.)</p>
<p>My son’s school did have an option for kids who absolutely could not come early to do these things during the few days before classes started, but they did not recommend that. For one thing, many classes might already be full, plus you would not get the full experience.</p>
<p>It depends on the college. There are sessions for students and sessions for parents. At some, there will be a discussion of the curriculum, housing policies, advising and support, alcohol policies, academic issues such as plagiarism, work-study and financial aid, etc… There will be questions and answers sessions. </p>
<p>The college website is likely to have information about what is covered during orientation. Ours was just before moving in, so there was not the problem of having to do two separate trips.</p>
<p>thanks everyone i wish it was all on the same weekend or week but whatever it will have to be delt with.</p>
<p>flounderingfree, I’d recommend you go, and if possible get your husband to go as well. My D’s orientation wasn’t very useful as I’d already studied everything obsessively far in advance but it was a very important bonding experience and gentle segue into the process of letting go.</p>
<p>When in doubt, call the school. They can probably give you an idea of what is going on at orientation.</p>
<p>Personally, I’ve never understood mid-summer orientations. They can be done just as easily right before the older kids return to school, and there’s no reason to make people travel twice.</p>
<p>i agree with you ariesathena it is expensive but if it is something that needs to be done then we will do it. Hubby will go if kiddo ask him too but once i purchase tickets he will not be able to get out of it. LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL sneaky little devil i am… i think he needs to see the campus and see how happy kiddo is in the enviroment. Latetoschool i have studied everything like you had so nothing new for me but i still feel he needs to be there he does not like it that i am excited for her instead of being upset but i have told him it is her life and her choice so i am excited that she is. I hope that made since.</p>