Kira is now officially a part of the college scene - Kira attended orientation for UCSB the first week of August. Orientation is a 2 day event that includes highlighting what college life will be like, helping the students (in a one-on-one setting) determine what classes they will take first quarter, spending the night in the dorms, enjoying their first "college" evening, and dining at the esteemed commons eateries. Much has changed since I went to college here are a couple samples:
(1) Orientation is not for the students only - parents are invited to attend a 2 day session as well that includes discussions on the Top 5 challenges of transitioning to college life, how you as parents can be best supportive of this transition (biggest tip - let your kids do laundy - NOW), and that there are outside influences on your children while at college (YES - Drugs, alcohol, and rock-n-roll are still fundamental elements of college life even in a country where the drinking age exceeds the age of majority by 3 years....)
(2) Parents are active members of their child's college community - parents are encourage to get involved including attending Family Weekend where all members of the family (including uncles, aunts, grandparents, distant cousines three times removed) get to visit with the college age child - look forward to the invite coming soon - first weekend in November.....
(3) College life in the beautiful Santa Barbara location, includes access to the beach (right outside the dorm rooms), access to the beautiful downtown area of SB (via a free bus service that is an entitlement of each college student), access to a worldclass dining commons that includes made to order Mongolian BBQ, and access to a swimming pool at the dorms (this of course does not include the worldclass recreation facilities available to all students including Olympic style pools -note the plural!)
(4) Colleges are looking for kids to succeed - taking more than 3 classes in your incoming quarter is frowned upon - allowing kids to "ramp up"......
Let's take a walk down memory lane and compare and contrast college life today to college life when we went to school (say 10ish years ago....)
YES College campuses have changed - no longer do you share a bathroom with 30 other students but now your child is grouped in "suite like" dormatories that allow for a bathroom per 4 people....better than at home for some!
I have never had a swimming pool in my backyard - but now Kira will have access to worldclass facilities at the recreation center as well as a local beautiful pool beside her dorms....She can take wine tasting classes (for credit and when she is of legal age) on campus - she can learn to rock climb, sea kayak, and appreciate dance (which she is already signed up to do) - not sure when the "core courses" kick in....
Parents are encouraged to be a part of the process - no longer do you drop your children off at the dorms, say your goodbyes and provide them with a bus ticket - now you stay in touch, find ways to help with the transition, join the fun on Family Weekend, teach your children to do laundry before they leave home.....
Coursework is designed to ensure success - considerations are given to the differences between high school and college - they actually encourage the students to use the Resource Center to help them learn to cope - there are seminars each quarter specifically designed for Freshman and the unique challenges of joining a college community
Kids travel through the campus on bike - bikers have the right of way - outdoor living is encouraged - campuses are designed to be unique, well designed locations, that were thought out and did not spawn from urban growth....
I WANT TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL!!!!!
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