Yep, college will be a bit different this year!

[JimMIA]

DD has her first day of classes today, and although we've gotten used to virtual, it's actually her first day in an actual class in a year and a half!

The second half of her Senior year in high school was a total waste -- no Prom, fake drive-by graduation, no parties, didn't get her yearbook until WAY late in the summer. Crap senior year.

And her first year in college was no better -- all virtual classes, no social activities, no club meetings, no students at most of the football games...not much of anything, but fortunately she had three great roommates.

Today however, she went to her first actual class in college! The class started at 2:30 PM, and at 2:33 PM she texted that she was in her first class and had already made a new friend!

She goes to UCF in Orlando, which is the home of the Knights. This week is Pegasus Palooza (UCF was originally founded in partnership with NASA, so there are a lot of space metaphors), and that's kind of a big deal.

Last night was Opening Knight, which is the traditional opening primarily for new students -- but a lot of last year's first year students went last night. Later this week they have Concert Knight (rapper Fetty Wrap and Yung Gravy), Comedy Knight, Movie Knight (Raya, the last Dragon), Magic Knight (Rand Kind) and a big service organization expo with more than 600 clubs held in the stadium.

Next week, on Friday night, is the first football game of the year with the Knights hosting Boise State in the Bounce House (and live on ESPN). Both teams had disappointing seasons last year and are hoping for better this year. UCF also has a completely new coaching staff this year, so we'll see what happens.

But it's great to be back to some semblance of "normal" after a year and a half. I hope it lasts!

 

[bjscheel]

Best of luck to her! I hope it works to be in person all year! DD19 was pretty lucky in that last year (sophomore year) for her was almost normal- a little extra online and a little bit of hybrid, but lots of in person class. And that she'd at least had most of a normal freshman year in which to make friends. Felt real bad for Class of 2020 HS grads- rough way to start college.

 

[kdonnel]

My son really enjoyed his first week. For now it is like it is 1999. Classes are in person, the dining halls are open self serve, masks are optional, and everyone is desperate to make new friends and hang out together.

 

[JimMIA]

My son really enjoyed his first week. For now it is like it is 1999. Classes are in person, the dining halls are open self serve, masks are optional, and everyone is desperate to make new friends and hang out together.

I'm not sure about meal services because DD is in an off-campus apartment this year. I think masks are required inside classrooms, but not sure. That could also be required inside for unvaccinated, although DD will be masked even though fully vaccinated.

The university has been running a big "Knights, Armor Up...Get Vacci-Knighted" campaign and has vaccination and testing sites on campus. We found mask compliance very high among students -- not so much among parents.

But the whole meeting new people thing is certainly both new and very important. Her apartment complex had a bunch of welcome events as well, but classes are where they are really going to meet new people -- and at all the special events this week.

 

[John VN]

DD has her first day of classes today, and although we've gotten used to virtual, it's actually her first day in an actual class in a year and a half!

The second half of her Senior year in high school was a total waste -- no Prom, fake drive-by graduation, no parties, didn't get her yearbook until WAY late in the summer. Crap senior year.

And her first year in college was no better -- all virtual classes, no social activities, no club meetings, no students at most of the football games...not much of anything, but fortunately she had three great roommates.

Today however, she went to her first actual class in college! The class started at 2:30 PM, and at 2:33 PM she texted that she was in her first class and had already made a new friend!

She goes to UCF in Orlando, which is the home of the Knights. This week is Pegasus Palooza (UCF was originally founded in partnership with NASA, so there are a lot of space metaphors), and that's kind of a big deal.

Last night was Opening Knight, which is the traditional opening primarily for new students -- but a lot of last year's first year students went last night. Later this week they have Concert Knight (rapper Fetty Wrap and Yung Gravy), Comedy Knight, Movie Knight (Raya, the last Dragon), Magic Knight (Rand Kind) and a big service organization expo with more than 600 clubs held in the stadium.

Next week, on Friday night, is the first football game of the year with the Knights hosting Boise State in the Bounce House (and live on ESPN). Both teams had disappointing seasons last year and are hoping for better this year. UCF also has a completely new coaching staff this year, so we'll see what happens.

But it's great to be back to some semblance of "normal" after a year and a half. I hope it lasts!

Hope she really enjoys and does well with LIVE CLASSES

DGS was also scheduled to begin classes at UCF today but instead tested (+) for C-19.

 

[lifesavacation]

First day of in person class for my daughter today. Very excited for her She played in her first volleyball game this weekend. Her club season was cancelled last year and cut short the year before. I love that her college life is relatively normal (so far, anyway).

 

[Disneylover99]

My son starts College in a few weeks. Sad to say all his classes are virtual.

 

[Heather07438]

DD has her first day of classes today, and although we've gotten used to virtual, it's actually her first day in an actual class in a year and a half!

The second half of her Senior year in high school was a total waste -- no Prom, fake drive-by graduation, no parties, didn't get her yearbook until WAY late in the summer. Crap senior year.

And her first year in college was no better -- all virtual classes, no social activities, no club meetings, no students at most of the football games...not much of anything, but fortunately she had three great roommates.

Today however, she went to her first actual class in college! The class started at 2:30 PM, and at 2:33 PM she texted that she was in her first class and had already made a new friend!

She goes to UCF in Orlando, which is the home of the Knights. This week is Pegasus Palooza (UCF was originally founded in partnership with NASA, so there are a lot of space metaphors), and that's kind of a big deal.

Last night was Opening Knight, which is the traditional opening primarily for new students -- but a lot of last year's first year students went last night. Later this week they have Concert Knight (rapper Fetty Wrap and Yung Gravy), Comedy Knight, Movie Knight (Raya, the last Dragon), Magic Knight (Rand Kind) and a big service organization expo with more than 600 clubs held in the stadium.

Next week, on Friday night, is the first football game of the year with the Knights hosting Boise State in the Bounce House (and live on ESPN). Both teams had disappointing seasons last year and are hoping for better this year. UCF also has a completely new coaching staff this year, so we'll see what happens.

But it's great to be back to some semblance of "normal" after a year and a half. I hope it lasts!

Glad to hear it

DS19 start Wednesday and I'm soooo hoping to hear back campus is somewhat normal finally!

He had the same crap end graduating high school as your daughter. 1st college semester they at least had hybrid (1/2 in person, 1/2 virtual) to reduce class size by alternating. But 2nd semester all virtual again and it stunk. His grades sunk. He has yet to really experience college. Kids of all ages have taken a big hit.

 

[JimMIA]

Hope she really enjoys and does well with LIVE CLASSES

DGS was also scheduled to begin classes at UCF today but instead tested (+) for C-19.

Yikes! I hope he's vaccinated and will have just mild symptoms. He'll have to quarantine for a short period, but hopefully that's his biggest issue.

Good luck to him!

 

[Kae]

My DD 20 Started her Jr year today. Last year most of her classes were in person Thank you Mitch Daniels!! This year all in person.

hope yours kids have a great year.

 

[Lumpy1106]

DD has her first day of classes today, and although we've gotten used to virtual, it's actually her first day in an actual class in a year and a half!

The second half of her Senior year in high school was a total waste -- no Prom, fake drive-by graduation, no parties, didn't get her yearbook until WAY late in the summer. Crap senior year.

And her first year in college was no better -- all virtual classes, no social activities, no club meetings, no students at most of the football games...not much of anything, but fortunately she had three great roommates.

Today however, she went to her first actual class in college! The class started at 2:30 PM, and at 2:33 PM she texted that she was in her first class and had already made a new friend!

She goes to UCF in Orlando, which is the home of the Knights. This week is Pegasus Palooza (UCF was originally founded in partnership with NASA, so there are a lot of space metaphors), and that's kind of a big deal.

Last night was Opening Knight, which is the traditional opening primarily for new students -- but a lot of last year's first year students went last night. Later this week they have Concert Knight (rapper Fetty Wrap and Yung Gravy), Comedy Knight, Movie Knight (Raya, the last Dragon), Magic Knight (Rand Kind) and a big service organization expo with more than 600 clubs held in the stadium.

Next week, on Friday night, is the first football game of the year with the Knights hosting Boise State in the Bounce House (and live on ESPN). Both teams had disappointing seasons last year and are hoping for better this year. UCF also has a completely new coaching staff this year, so we'll see what happens.

But it's great to be back to some semblance of "normal" after a year and a half. I hope it lasts!

Wahoo! This post makes me smile ear-to-ear. My DD18 is a 21 grad and both the 20 and 21 grads got reamed. He got involved with the ASB (Associated Student Body) because that was the only voice the kids had to get a say in any of those activities. The school turned that into a lame mouth piece for COVID safety nonsense (i.e. shutting down all of the Sr activities, only using the kids to pass the message along). He refused to play along so they kicked him out -SO proud of him! Meanwhile we were spending every spare weekend we had touring schools in other states because it looked like CA was going to continue the remote nonsense NMW. Thankfully things got better and CA has opened the Schools so he's off to UCSB in a couple of weeks (GO GAUCHOS!).

 

[DisneyOma]

Hope all the college kids on campus stay healthy and safe!

 

[Heather07438]

Hope all the college kids on campus stay healthy and safe!

DS's university is vaccine mandatory. Hopefully that helps them strike a good balance between safe and not being locked in their dorm.

 

[TwoMisfits]

My DD started today...her one virtual class has now become onsite so she's thrilled to have all onsite classes.

They do take daily online health checks, wear masks in class, and are prohibited from eating/drinking in most classes (aka masks stay on). And they have all people on campus with required vax, and if you live there, you have to Covid test 1x/week (my DD is very happy to not be living there - as a commuter, she may only randomly be selected to test, for at most 1-2x/semester)...

But, they are running big social events and have it all "on" right now, so here's hoping all the precautions help it stay that way...

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

same boat for my youngest. But only some of her classes are classrooms this semester.

 

[lifesavacation]

Hope all the college kids on campus stay healthy and safe!

They have mandatory vaccination for all students at my daughter’s college and masks are required in indoor spaces.

 

[momto2girls]

My daughters' university didn't require vaccination, which I am SO disappointed about. Masking is required in all indoor spaces, but Covid is sure to spread. I am so happy that they are starting out fairly normal (especially my daughter who is a freshman). Classes are in-person, etc. But I have already told them that I wouldn't be surprised if classes have to switch to a virtual format periodically. I hope that isn't the case though.

 

[CT Yankee]

DD has her first day of classes today, and although we've gotten used to virtual, it's actually her first day in an actual class in a year and a half!

The second half of her Senior year in high school was a total waste -- no Prom, fake drive-by graduation, no parties, didn't get her yearbook until WAY late in the summer. Crap senior year.

And her first year in college was no better -- all virtual classes, no social activities, no club meetings, no students at most of the football games...not much of anything, but fortunately she had three great roommates.

Today however, she went to her first actual class in college! The class started at 2:30 PM, and at 2:33 PM she texted that she was in her first class and had already made a new friend!

She goes to UCF in Orlando, which is the home of the Knights. This week is Pegasus Palooza (UCF was originally founded in partnership with NASA, so there are a lot of space metaphors), and that's kind of a big deal.

Last night was Opening Knight, which is the traditional opening primarily for new students -- but a lot of last year's first year students went last night. Later this week they have Concert Knight (rapper Fetty Wrap and Yung Gravy), Comedy Knight, Movie Knight (Raya, the last Dragon), Magic Knight (Rand Kind) and a big service organization expo with more than 600 clubs held in the stadium.

Next week, on Friday night, is the first football game of the year with the Knights hosting Boise State in the Bounce House (and live on ESPN). Both teams had disappointing seasons last year and are hoping for better this year. UCF also has a completely new coaching staff this year, so we'll see what happens.

But it's great to be back to some semblance of "normal" after a year and a half. I hope it lasts!

Wishing your daughter nothing but the best! Enjoy and good luck!

 

[JimMIA]

Wishing your daughter nothing but the best! Enjoy and good luck!

Thanks. She's a smart young lady, so I'm not worried about her grades or how they hold classes. She'll be fine either way.

I just hope they are able to get the full college experience that so many have been denied by Covid.

 

[Disneyfan754321]

My sons first day of his last year of junior college , and today it was a hybrid class meaning a little of both online and zoom. Today his school sent a notice that everyone has to be vaccinated in the next 60 days or they can not attend in person... he is so excited because he has health issues.
It's hard to be away from him, we live over 1000 miles away.