Jan 27, 2008
Highlights and Fiascos
This is my very first blogging experience. I had no thought of doing such a thing until asked by UT admissions to contribute to a blog for freshman parents. Since we are now into second semester I will reflect briefly on first semester highlights and fiascos. Since Faith, my UT freshman, is my youngest, her Dad and I are faced with "empty nest" as well as having a child over 5 hours away and in a different time zone. Even though I miss Faith, she is having a good year and doing exactly what she has wanted to do by attending UT and experiencing college life away from home.
Fiasco #1:
Overflow waitlisted for housing. If you are a prospective freshman or freshman parent and you have not applied for housing yet, you are sure to experience Fiasco#1. You will most probably get a room assignment right after you decide you (the student) or worse for parents; your child will be living in a car! In our case, Faith received her room assignment in a Presidential dorm, met her roommate on myspace, etc.--all set, right?? Three days before leaving for Knoxville, we received the dreaded letter from Residential Life--assignment change to Hess with the dreaded community bath and unknown roommate. Long story, short--Faith loves Hess, 2 minute walk to the Art Department, (community bath--not so bad) and she and her roommate are now great friends. Fiasco #1 averted.
Fiasco #2:
The inevitable and notorious parking situation. Learning the art of campus parking can be a frustrating and expensive lesson. Even the most cautious student will probably get a ticket. My advice to incoming freshman: study your parking map, watch the signs, know that yellow lines are restrictive and white lines are permissive, and know your windows of opportunity--park early on Sunday afternoon. Arriving late on Sunday night is a set up for Fiasco #2. Advice to parents: be ready for the phone call regarding tickets, "boots", and even a tow the first couple of weeks. The campus folks are more sympathetic than the private lots. I think some of the organizations and private lots make their signs unnoticeable or with vague restriction language so unsuspecting freshman will pay the upkeep for the lots. Long story short--after two tickets and a "boot", we've adjusted to Fiasco #2. Remember incoming Freshmen, if you don't see a white line on both sides of your vehicle Fiasco #2 may be your next call home.
Highlights of Semester 1:
1-Finding your little girl's sorority bid day photos on Boppspot.com.
2-Discovering you are actually talking to your child more than you did when she was at home and she actually seems to enjoy the conversations.
3-Dirty laundry shortage.
4-Parent weekend on the UT campus.
5-Despite all the adjustments and sometimes frustrations, your child is fulfilling the dream.
6-The hugs and excitement of home visits and holidays.
Fiasco #1:
Overflow waitlisted for housing. If you are a prospective freshman or freshman parent and you have not applied for housing yet, you are sure to experience Fiasco#1. You will most probably get a room assignment right after you decide you (the student) or worse for parents; your child will be living in a car! In our case, Faith received her room assignment in a Presidential dorm, met her roommate on myspace, etc.--all set, right?? Three days before leaving for Knoxville, we received the dreaded letter from Residential Life--assignment change to Hess with the dreaded community bath and unknown roommate. Long story, short--Faith loves Hess, 2 minute walk to the Art Department, (community bath--not so bad) and she and her roommate are now great friends. Fiasco #1 averted.
Fiasco #2:
The inevitable and notorious parking situation. Learning the art of campus parking can be a frustrating and expensive lesson. Even the most cautious student will probably get a ticket. My advice to incoming freshman: study your parking map, watch the signs, know that yellow lines are restrictive and white lines are permissive, and know your windows of opportunity--park early on Sunday afternoon. Arriving late on Sunday night is a set up for Fiasco #2. Advice to parents: be ready for the phone call regarding tickets, "boots", and even a tow the first couple of weeks. The campus folks are more sympathetic than the private lots. I think some of the organizations and private lots make their signs unnoticeable or with vague restriction language so unsuspecting freshman will pay the upkeep for the lots. Long story short--after two tickets and a "boot", we've adjusted to Fiasco #2. Remember incoming Freshmen, if you don't see a white line on both sides of your vehicle Fiasco #2 may be your next call home.
Highlights of Semester 1:
1-Finding your little girl's sorority bid day photos on Boppspot.com.
2-Discovering you are actually talking to your child more than you did when she was at home and she actually seems to enjoy the conversations.
3-Dirty laundry shortage.
4-Parent weekend on the UT campus.
5-Despite all the adjustments and sometimes frustrations, your child is fulfilling the dream.
6-The hugs and excitement of home visits and holidays.
• • •
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
« Home