Boarding school problems

My son is a new freshman. Started this year. he seems to be not fitting in. His so call friends have gotten him in trouble already on several occasions. he seems to be going along with the crowd. I told him that he needs to make wiser choices. he enjoys her classes but tell me that a lot of people make fun of him all day everyday. He has told his adviser but they don’t really seem to care. Even his new friends. It’s a very small school and not to much to do on campus on the weekends but go into town. We don’t have extra money to give him only a small amount for the month. They have to go in pears/group into a local town. he say if he doesn’t go with them in return they won’t go when he wants to go. It’s been 2.5 months. he wants to come home. Should I pull him out or wait until the end of the year?

At this point, neither. But if you are worried (which I would be!), reach out to his advisor or dorm parent and ask what seems to be going on and how you can best support your son. If he can make it work, he’ll probably be empowered by that. But you do want to know he’s safe and supported.

If you can, visit and take him out for the day or weekend. It’s really hard living at school – getting down time to recover can be almost impossible, and if the social situation is challenging, there is no break.

I feel for you and wish you luck.

Sorry to hear things are off to a rough start for your son. I’d reach out to the adviser again, talk about the problems as you see them and point blank ask the adviser - what do you suggest as a solution? What will you do to help my son get on a better path and not be targeted by other students? If you feel the adviser is not dealing with it, you need to reach up a level and get the dean of students or whatever the role is called at the school involved.

Also, does the school have a counselor your son could talk to? They are often skilled at giving advice for navigating social situations and adjustment to school. It’s also just a good resource for your son to have someone that can listen to him that understands the ins and outs of the school culture.

It’s time for you to actively advocate for your son. Talk directly to the adviser and dorm parents ASAP. Nip this in the bud. Best of luck.

I truly feel for you and for your son. It is hard enough to start and be at a boarding school, and now the schools are all fast approaching exam mode to add to existing pressure and stress. It is very important for your son to not feel isolated, which I am sure you are aware of. The things you describe are EXACTLY what boarding schools are supposed to be set up to handle. You have every right to find out the full story and have the school explain to you every single thing they have and will be doing to keep your son emotionally safe - it’s the same as his physical safety would be. Also, never forget that this right of yours exists regardless of whether you are full pay, part pay or no pay. He is a minor and you have entrusted him to their care completely and they have a responsibility to be on top of things. I wish you all the best here, and your son as well. :slight_smile:

Oh…my heart aches for you and your DS. I agree with the others…talk with his advisor immediately and get this nipped in the bud. Also, remember that the truth generally lies somewhere in the middle, so the reports from your son are purely his perspective. Hopefully, the advisor will be able to round out the picture so everyone can have a well-thought out plan as to how to right things. Speaking with a counselor is also a great suggestion per @doschicos. Pull out all of the stoops to make this a much better transition for you son! Good luck and let us know how things go!

The making fun of him all day every day isn’t good. Agree speak with his advisor. Also try to make more frequent calls or let him know he can text you. One of my girls was being bullied every day. She said something to another freshman girl in confidence and the girl tried to black ball her. If she were walking to mess hall with another student from the dorm, other girl would try to run up and take the friend away, leaving her ostracized. My student told me she felt she needed to deal with it on her own and didn’t want to worry me but it wore on her.

In the end, we talked about it often and tried out different ways of managing it. Unfortunately, she didn’t tell me about it til the first trimester was over. Tell your student you want them to give you a chance to help and you want to hear the good, the bad and the ugly. At least talking about it and getting it out in the open is a way to start problem solving. Good Luck! None of this is easy, and it could happen just as well at a local public school. It may be more challenging trying to deal with it from afar.

@4for4 Please provide an update! We are all rooting for your kid!