Thank you @canoe2015. Think I’ll patiently wait for them to sign up. Guess when she decides she really wants her ‘missing’ items she’ll get on it. 
@canoe2015, DS also complained about it last year, but it’s much easier the second year when it’s really “Camp Yale.” His snarky response to many of the orientations was “I get it: no means no; silence doesn’t mean yes; be safe; if someone you know is dangerously intoxicated, get help; etc.” I get his point; some of this has been told to these kids year in and year out.
Thanks IxnayBob. That’s interesting, my daughter is saying basically the same things you just mentioned about some of the workshops. I certainly understand why Yale has the workshops though.
I’m sure it’s better that the kids hear it too often rather than too seldom. It’s hard to imagine that kids haven’t internalized the message by now, but still…
@canoe2015 - I definitely heard the same thing from my son. I think the meetings that focused on the ways that young people often push the boundaries when they transition to college contributed to his homesickness. That was not something he wanted to be hearing about. Add to that that he is an introvert and being forced to join groups and be around strangers was exhausting to him. I think he’s turning a corner now and will soon be in activities that help him find “his people.”
Ugh. I need to get a large package to my son and nothing seems clear. What do I do?
@Community2605, if your son doesn’t have a PO box yet, my daughter told me today (from her froco) that the Prospect St. address Suemomsie mentioned above is still available. I had thought from the way it’s worded on the website that it was for before school only, but evidently it still works for now.
(Your Name)
Yale University
(Your Residential College Name)
135 Prospect Street
New Haven, CT 06511
I think large packages may often end up there. I sent my kid a case of toaster pastries last year, and he had to hike over to the other facility to get them–I’m assuming Prospect Street.
My daughter sighs every time she has to go to a mandatory orientation meeting because a lot of it is common sense but I remind her that what is common sense to her is not to someone who has never left home before. She is trying to see it more as a chance to get together with new friends and after the meeting they all go and do something together. It is a time that forces the group all to come back together.
Also- with damage to the dorm. My daughter’s room had nails in walls and paint that was peeling. I am just planning on repairing and patching before we move her out. I figure if its in better shape when we leave that she will be ok. Those 3m hooks are not holding so I may add a few nails to the collection since I plan on removing and patching the rest anyhow.
FWIW, Yale was ranked #1 in the 2016 USA Today best colleges:
http://college.usatoday.com/2015/09/08/best-us-college-2016-yale-penn/
@YaleDad2019, I’ve always sneered at the McPaper, but I guess I’ll have to cut them some slack for getting this right. I promise not to make any snarky comments about stopped clocks. Did I say that out loud?
@IxnayBob The timing of such may translate more applicants this year?
More applicants makes me very glad to be done with that process!! I heard from my little Yalie that they told the class during orientation that this was one of the top 5 hardest classes to get into because of the applicant pool. I can’t imagine having to compete against more applicants.
New Parents - be prepared. It was about this time last year that I got the dreaded phone call from my D - September 7 to be exact. She had not made the club volleyball team, she hated Yale, wondered why she ever went to college and wanted to come home. I patiently listened and knowing my child, knew it was drama and that she was not suicidal or anything like that. Fast forward a couple of weeks, she got tapped for a dance group, joined some activities and was happy. THEN THE WORK KICKED IN!! Our kids are used to being the best and the brightest. Yale is full of the best and the brightest. It requires an adjustment - they adjust because they are young and eager to learn.
I am saying all this to say that if you get that dreaded phone call and you know that your child does not have any real mental health issues, do not panic. Breathe on your end, soothe them in whatever way works for you, and then push them back into their world. Then, you hang up the phone, have a good cry cause your baby is so far away and you can’t grab them for a big hug, and go back to whatever you were doing. Yale has a 99% retention rate for freshmen. They’ll be fine.
Good perspective Tperry1982. Dean Holloway made a similar point during the parent orientation panel . . . most of these students were stars in high school, but now it’s different because pretty much everyone else was too. And of course they’re all away from home in a new environment.
I’m hoping all goes smoothly for my daughter . . . seems to be so far, so good . . . but hopefully I’ll be helpful to her if I get a call like that.
Crossing my fingers! I actually asked my son to call me tomorrow since I really haven’t heard much of anything. I’m hoping he sounds happy! What you said is so true though and we tried to prepare him for that. He was iffy on auditioning for YSO and I thought oh boy, here comes his first disappointment. But, he made it! So maybe that will help if he doesn’t succeed with his other auditions. Just hard to not be there if they seem sad.
I really appreciate the advice @Tperry1982. I’ve only gotten the ‘I love life’ texts and calls so far but will be prepared just in case.
I have questions regarding the October break. What are the options for the kids from a longer distance than is feasible for another round trip home? DD is talking about getting a hotel in NYC but alas, she forgets she is still a minor at 17 so not likely. Im sure she can’t be the only one staying around campus? Suggestions?
@Suemomsie - When my D stayed for fall break last year, there were cheap day trips to various places, including NYC to see shows. They were sponsored by her RC. Maybe your D could check with her Froco about activities for the break. There are lots who stay on campus. Also, it is a nice time to get caught up on work. They will be deep into classes by then.
I never got the negative phone call. All kids are different. But my D found great friends in her ECs fairly early on. She also got along well with her roommate even though they were in totally different activities.
@musicmerit Thank you! I will pass that on.