<p>My son and I attended Penn States New Student Orientation (NSO) this week, and I wanted to share a couple hints with other parents.</p>
<p>You will be doing a lot of walking, so dress comfortably. Temperatures ranged from unbearably hot (while waiting in lines) to quite chilly (while in the auditorium). </p>
<p>Try to eat before arriving at the parking garage assigned for NSO. After leaving the garage and walking to NSO, the only place we passed to grab a bite to eat was the creamery. They have great ice cream, but only pre-packaged sandwiches.</p>
<p>Not sure of every NSO schedule, but we were told to arrive at 12:30. We arrived right on time and queued up into the first of many lines. There were A LOT of people in front of us. Not sure how early they had arrived. We then waited in a series of lines (to register/to get IDs/to sign up for a bank account/etc). If I were to do it again, I think I would arrive early and hopefully avoid most of these lines - and then have a nice leisurely lunch before the first formal session (which for us began at 2:30). I should also note that I noticed that people arriving really late had very short or non-existent lines. </p>
<p>If you sign up for a PNC Bank account, note that it requires your childs SS# and 2 forms of their ID though one can be the new Penn State ID. If having a joint account with you, your SS# is also required along with your 2 forms of ID.</p>
<p>Bring a tote bag or plastic bag with you to carry your items. Parents receive a book and youll have misc papers and stress balls etc. that you pick up along the way. Bring your book back on Day 2 also. </p>
<p>The students need to check out of the dorms on Day 2 by 7:45 am. Many parents arranged to meet their child in the morning to get their overnight bags and bring them back to their vehicle. Other students carried theirs throughout the day.</p>
<p>Note that you will not be sitting with your child while they meet with their advisor and schedule their classes. Any conversations you want to have about majors, class selection, class times (early morning classes vs. afternoon), etc should be done before arriving at NSO.</p>
<p>The schedule says that NSO is out at 5 pm on Day 2, but we were done by 3:30.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>