<p>My D has an overnight scheduled in a couple of weeks. As I would expect there are no arrangements for the parents. I will drive her there (5 hours away) and spend the night in a nearby hotel.</p>
<p>I know what to do the night I drop her off. I’ll go for a nice dinner and watch what I want on TV and relax. But I have to check out of my hotel by 11:00 and I don’t pick her up until 3:30.</p>
<p>I’d rather not wander around campus. I want her to experience the school without her Mom. But what do I do?</p>
<p>I don’t feel comfortable with her driving on her own. The weather in the midwest has been very unpredictable and I’d rather be there. BTW I’ll be in Terre Haute, IN, I don’t think that there are any museums to wander about and I’m not much of a shopper besides I have no idea if they even have much shopping in Terre Haute.</p>
<p>I brought some pleasure reading and found a comfy spot in the library. I also took the opportunity to catch up with a friend or two by phone. One trip I even had brunch with an ‘online’ friend :)</p>
<p>The library is my favorite spot to hang out, too! All of the schools we’ve visited have an area in the library with current magazines and newspapers from all over the world.
My other favorite way to kill time is to write notes to old friends to catch up.</p>
<p>I understand your not wanting to wander around on campus. However, if it’s large enough, I’ve killed lots of time in the campus bookstore and also at the library (mentioned above). Another thing I’ve done (if I have a car) is drive around the area of the campus and make note of where things are, ie closest coffee shop, restaurants, shopping etc. Often my D wouldn’t necessarily learn these things on her overnight and so I was able to share additional useful info.</p>
<p>Library, bookstore, cell phone, update your calendar and directory, knit, read, lunch. If you have a lap top there should be Wi Fi access on campus. Ask the hotel about a late check out. Is there a gym in the hotel? Enjoy. I remember leaving a toddler at home to visit my D at college, and I marveled at going into the bathroom alone in the hotel room…sigh…those were the days of simple pleasures.</p>
<p>WashDad, LOL, LOL! I didn’t think about inviting him. </p>
<p>I’m visiting Rose-Hulman, 1500 undergrads, it’s not very big but I think I will go to the library. I can waste plenty of time reading a book, I just couldn’t figure out where to go.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, as any who have been to RHIT knows, it’s really in the middle of nowhere. Seriously, the only thing in walking distance is a gas station. Walmart is a 5-10 minute drive.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions. I do love the campus bookstore. Who can’t love a school that the athletic teams are the Fighting Engineers and the mascot is an elephant.</p>
<p>See if the school will give you guest privileges at the athletic facility. At many colleges, they’re like a good spa: whirlpool, sauna, swimming pool, clean towels.</p>
<p>We hunted down the nearest museum or park, and once spent a cool morning at a local bird sanctuary. If it’s the middle of nowhere, maybe there is a research station?</p>
<p>Did the Rose Hulman thing also a few years back. Campus and Library are very small. You will not be able to get lost there or even go unnoticed. Take book or laptop and go into Terre Haute. There is no “driving around” the campus. It is on edge of town. Just find a nice cafe or bookstore in town to kill the time. </p>
<p>Good luck. I will be curious as to how your d’s overnight goes. Have own overnight story. If you wish to hear, pm me.</p>
<p>Take the opportunity to check out the town, surrounding area (parks, nature reserves, etc) restaurants, coffee shops, etc. D only did one overnight but I did end up driving with both S and D to their selected schools in the fall when they started. Had lots of time to myself and really used it to get acquainted with the area (walking tour). Talked to shopkeepers who were full of suggestions of places to see, etc. and in general got a feel for the town/city they would be living in. If there is a farmers market going on, definitely check it out.</p>
<p>See if you can get a late check out from the hotel. Some things I did on college visits – ate nice meals by myself, worked out in the gym at the hotel, went shopping, read books. I went to the public library in Kalamazoo and read magazines. It’s very nice!</p>
<p>I say lovely brunch, or my personal choice: movie!</p>
<p>Depending on the school, I have also visited the college art museum. Some have quite extensive collections and most open by noon or one, even on Sunday.</p>
Our family rule is that I don’t go on college visits, especially when it’s an overnight.</p>