Trying to be ready here. I am so glad my daughter decided not to do FOOT. She would be a mess trying to enjoy her time while wondering if I packed everything. I will only be an hour away but the thought of her being away all the time is a little overwhelming for me right now. I am so happy for her but dreading the changes in the family dynamic. This is going to be interesting. I will have two of four kids living in dorms and that feels so broken. Sigh- brb… off to find the kleenex again.
What helped me stay relatively composed was going some distance away, out of his sight, and reflecting on what a wonderful opportunity this was for DS. I was proud of him, but tbh it was the first time I took a moment to be proud of myself for having encouraged the values we have. I came back, dry-eyed, and said goodbye.
I have 1 well-launched, 1 in off-campus housing after a circuitous route to get there, 1 in a dorm, and one finishing HS. My composure next year, returning to a house with no children for the first time in 35 years, is uncertain.
Not ready but it is arriving anyhow. FOOT may have actually been a good thing for me. DD is my youngest by 11 years. The house is very quiet without her and not being able to talk to her at all is not easy. (We practiced last year when she was in Peru for 5 weeks. 6 days should be easier? Not so far by I am hopeful) I think going from talking all day , every day, to no communication will make whatever we end up with when the dust has settled much easier (or so I keep telling myself). Dd and I have been through a lot together and YALE is an incredible start to the rest of her amazing life, albeit 3,000 miles away. I will hold my tears around her if at all possible, because I am far more excited for her than anything else.
Today has been the toughest. I fly out tomorrow so it’ll be busy with less time for tears.
Another anxious freshman mom here! We are almost ready for move-in! I know that the freshman assembly is sort of dressy. Would it be odd for a woman to wear pants? Just trying to simplify the packing. Also what are the masters open houses like? Do we need to dress for that? I’m imagining us being a bit of a mess from the move-in so just curious what is expected. I have to remember to save time to pack for myself lol. Looking forward to an exciting weekend. Thanks
Women can definitely wear pants. I think it’s nice to be reasonably well dressed for the assembly and for the Master’s open house, but people will be dressed all sorts of ways, from under to over. Don’t worry about it too much–you’re only a parent; nobody will be looking at you.
Hi there I agree with Hunt - people wear all different things. If you can do business casual that is great. For women a summer dress and a light jacket or shawl is fine, pants are fine.For men most were business casual, some with ties, some not, many, many no jacket. The assembly is more formalish than the Master’s open house. It’s mercifully not as hot in New Haven this year than it was last year. There has been the odd overcast day with skies opening for a brief deluge but it’s over in half an hour.
Well move in day is here - should be a busy day today on campus!
My greatest fear about the last few days was not saying good bye to my son-I knew what was involved there- but that it was going to be the same vibe as Bulldog Days. I ran into quite a few parents then (very few students who had the same attitude) that by the fact that our children had gotten in Yale that we had, in some sort of way, “won” parenting. I really found the smugness among the other parents off-putting and it almost ruined Yale for me. The last two days were completely different, I talked to so many parents who were genuine in their excitement and awe of what a wonderful event this was/ is. I wonder if Bulldog Days is self selecting in who chooses to attend or whether the jerk parents kids elected to go to other schools. Anyway, I am bereft that my son has left home but I firmly believe that Yale is the best second home he could have found.
Does anyone have advice on what size PO box to get? My daughter isn’t sure - is there a pretty good reason to get a larger one?
I did not even realize there were different sizes. 
D just got the regular small size. Would the larger one be big enough for packages? Would that eliminate standing in line to pick up packages?
Thanks, that’s a good point about reducing the amount of time in line. It sounds like there is a medium size (and a large, but not available currently). I’m not sure what the difference in size is between small and medium but hopefully medium will at least hold a bit more than small.
Well, my son is experiencing the exhausting, debilitating truth that freshman orientations were designed BY extroverts FOR extroverts, not for the more contemplative introvert. I’ll be glad for him when classes start, things get more routine and the people more familiar.
Just need the regular size PO box. If a package comes in, they put a notice in the box and they can pick it up.
Does a package have to be sent by USPS to be delivered to a Yale PO box (no UPS, FedEx, etc.)? That’s my recollection of how PO boxes at least used to work but that may be out of date.
@canoe2015, What was suggested when you can’t control shipping (eg, Amazon) is to include the number but make no mention of “PO,” “PO Box,” etc., just “#123456.” It worked for us, at least as well/poorly as other mail.
You can sign a form that allows the post office employees to sign for your packages from any carrier. This link says it is for last year, but it should be the same this year. When ordering from some vendors, you do not know the carrier up front so just use the format below. Other carriers will not deliver if it says PO Box # but they will deliver if you just drop the PO Box part.
http://yalecollege.yale.edu/new-students/class-2018/planning-your-move/mail-and-shipping
"All letters and packages to your Post Office Box should be addressed according to the following sample:
(Your Name)
Yale University
206 Elm Street, # ____ (your post office box number)
New Haven, CT 06520-____ (the last 4 digits of you post office box #)
Letters and packages sent by U.S. mail can be picked up at the Yale Station post office, 206 Elm Street, during regular operating hours.
When you rent a Yale Station post office box you can receive additional services for free - street addressing, real mail notification services, and signature on file services. Click here to read about the free services for post office box holders.
If you want the free services for your post office box, click here for the form. Print and complete the form and bring it with you to one of the Mobile Units on campus."
Thanks IxnayBob and musicmerit.
I just got a postcard for the Yale cake agency (yale.edu/cake) . . . what a cool idea (you can order a cake delivered to your child’s room). I’m not sure how practical it is as the delivery window is big (anytime between 2pm and 7pm) but it’s a great concept.
I did that as my daughter’s 18th birthday was right around the start of school. She enjoyed it!
I think this is something offered at every college. Not unique to Yale. Although often it’s directly through a local bakery.