Freshman blues - normal??

Parents Forum
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<p>I was going to make the same point as likes2draw. I have two cousins who love being architects (one is a woman, and made partner in her firm while also raising kids) and both of them began architecture training after getting BAs in other subjects. </p>

<p>As for the anti-depressant issue, I believe there are colleges that are so frightened about the consequences of not adequately treating a depressed student who sought help (like the female student who committed suicide at MIT and whose parents have sued) that they are more likely to over-medicate than under medicate. That's why I think someone's advice on here about confirming a diagnosis outside of the student health service is a good one.</p>

<p>Good luck to both of you. Years back, I was one of those who knew my first choice of college was wrong by the second week. Though I spent over a year there, I did transfer and was much happier.</p>

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<p>I chose not to get into this before when I posted a response but now that Likes2Draw and SAC brought up the architecture options, I think I'll chime in because I was thinking about this when I read the original post actually. I have a daughter also interested in architecture. She opted to NOT apply to the five year BArch degree programs for a few reasons. One was she was not ready to commit to a major as an applicant, particularly to a field she could not say for sure she wanted to do because it is not one you really study growing up, like some other fields that you can say definitely you have loved studying. She had done an independent study and an internship in this field and liked the various elements/subjects that relate to it, but we did not have architecture classes at our high school. Another reason was that she did not want to enter an undergraduate program where perhaps 2/3's or so of her coursework was already predetermined, which is akin to engineering degrees or even like her sister's BFA degree in musical theater entails. She wanted the liberal arts type of education and to be able to learn about many areas (likes more than one subject) and to have more choices in her undergraduate curriculum. So, she opted to apply to liberal arts schools and universities that had an undergraduate "pre-architecture" kind of major, but not the five year BArch degree. She is now at Brown and while she has not declared her "concentration" yet, is leaning, I believe, toward one in Architectural Studies there. But this is like any other major, not a heavy duty professional program like a BArch degree program is. Rather, if she does pursue architecture, she will need to go to a MArch program. </p>

<p>This past summer, she did a six week intensive called Career Discovery at Harvard Design School which she paid for herself, which is aimed at discovering, through immersion, what this field of study is like before commiting to a graduate degree program and career. She was the youngest in it at 18 1/2, but there were other college students (even some from Brown), college graduates, and also adults looking to change careers. To say the work was intense is putting it mildly. She said she was in the studio all day and late into the night. She did eat out and she did have some fun on weekends (like I mentioned in my other post, she did build in these times), the rest of the time was day and night, not like regular college. She loved the design projects and the others in the program, and the faculty. She did remark many times about the LONNNNNNNG hours involved. I told her that should she go to grad school for this, that is what it would be like, all day and all night, but that grad school in many fields like med school, law school, or business school are a bit like a job....work all day, and study all night, and not like the undergraduate experience where she does extracurriculars and is very busy with a very full schedule but the hours are not as intense as grad school or what this program was like. And she did say she is VERY glad she did not do a BArch now so that she can enjoy the college years and the full experience, not only the academics, though those are still heavy for her. </p>

<p>This semester, she is taking an Architectural Drawing class at RISD. This class meets for six hours on Fridays. The expectation is to put in 12 hours per week outside of class. I know she is putting in MORE than that to get the project assignments done. She goes there to do the work (not in her room) and is there very late. She says it is very time consuming and that the RISD kids are like this all the time because all their courses are like this and she again said she was so glad she did not opt to do this as an undergraduate. I mean her life is still very hectic.....the classes, the homework (plus this one course has many hours devoted, and the others are not light either), plus is on two teams right now involving several hours per day, and everything else, let alone a social life. Had she been doing a BArch degree, she likely could not do these ECs, nor the social and campus life she is now enjoying. She realizes she made the right decision. She seems to be considering architecture for grad school and beyond, but that will be the point in her life when she might have to cut out all the extras she can do now...be it studying other subjects, social life, or extracurricular interests. But as an undergrad, studying architecture as a major in a BA liberal arts type setting has been the right choice for her. </p>

<p>I'm not suggesting the OP change course but when I read the initial post, I realized that her D is living what my D has explained and did do this summer and how the situation itself has created less opportunity for a social life on campus (though I still believe that girl could initiate social "breaks" with her studio mates as well as take a day/night off each weekend from the work through time management). But for anyone else reading this, I hope they know there is more than one path to becoming an architect and the course of study is very different as is the life of such a student. </p>

<p>Susan</p>

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<p>With fairness, the careers tend to be quite different too. </p>

<p>Top design architects have a BArch. End of story. Pick your favorite famous architect. Check their bios.</p>

<p>The BArch is absolutely worth the effort if you want to be a building designer. </p>

<p>The idea that regualr "college " is more fun than architecture school is ridiculous, soozie. It might be better for your absolutely amazing daughter who may or may not be an architect but that is that.</p>

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<p>After the 5 year architecture program, does the student go immediately to grad school or does he/she have enough education to get a job?</p>

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<p>Cheers, as an architect yourself, you might be best qualified to answer this question: do the top architecture master's programs have a prefernce between 5-year BArch students and those with a B.S.? I guess what I'm asking is, is it easier to get into top Arch. masters programs with a BArch than it is a B.S., even if the B.S. is in something like architecture studies or architecture history? A</p>

<p>lso, how important is it to have real world work experience (not just internships) in architecture when applying to Master's programs? It seems to me that BArch students would be at an advantage there as they are qualified to work for several years in the field and then apply to Masters programs, whereas someone with just a B.S. probably wouldn't have access to the same type of experience.</p>

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<p>Briefly, before putting my family to bed, I will simply say that Cheers may have the statistics on who has a BArch but I hold that there is no such thing as "end of story." My peers include men and particularly women who have taken different educational and professional paths and have enjoyed rich and fulfilling careers in building design, university facilities construction management, teaching, and architectural marketing. Many started and continue to run their own firms. Some have won awards, been published, made partner, been appointed to deanships. I, who returned to architecture school at 32 on the 'mommy track', was fortunate to be mentored by top women professionals. The bottom line for me is that we do indeed live in interesting times. This forum shows us everyday what a wonderful variety of educational options awaits our kids if we think creatively and stay tuned to who our children are.</p>

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<p>Cheers, I simply don't know what to say. I would think that a MArch from a fine program will bode well in the field, just like a BArch would. Certainly, kids from my daughter's college, as well as other fine schools where we met undergraduates in pre-architecture programs....ie., Yale, Penn, have gotten into top grad programs in this field. I'm sure many go onto fine careers. Her goal is not to be the top person in her field but to find a rewarding career that she loves and where she will make her impact on the world. </p>

<p>I never said regular college is more FUN than architecture school. I simply gave my D's reasons for not entering into a specialized undergraduate degree program. She was not ready to commit to a field without really having known if this was the career for her. MANY seventeen year olds do not yet know what they want to major in. That is why there is liberal arts.....to get a broad education and specialize later. She is doing quite a bit with architecture now but also wants to study many things. She did not want a specialized undergraduate training program and has not landed on her major and surely had not while in high school. MANY majors and careers are ones that you do not experience yet in high school to know that you want to commit to them. My other D is in a field that she can say she has had a long time passion for, as well as MUCH experience with, in order to commit to entering a specialized BFA training program as an undergraduate. My other D had skills and interests and has chosen to explore this field as her possible intended one. That is where SHE is at. Her reasons had nothing to do with having FUN first. She is a hard core academic student at a rigorous college. She WANTED liberal arts and the college experience. Along the way, she has been exploring architecture every semester in coursework, did the summer intensive and may do an architectural study abroad immersion. This remains to be seen. Her life plan is not exactly in place yet. She explored this career in high school through a year long indep. study, various papers and research, and an internship with a woman architect in our community. She is still at an early stage of her life's plan. Her objective in all this was not "fun" but she has enjoyed her college life so far. She is about more than one thing at this place in her life. She wants a broad education and is also active outside the classroom in various endeavors. She is merely nineteen. I have no doubt that no matter what she picks to do, and even if it is to get a MArch, that she will go on to make a difference. </p>

<p>I do not believe my daughter is "amazing". She is not that different than most kids talked about on here. She is simply my child and I described the choices she has made so far in her life. I'm not suggesting that others follow her path. I merely explained to others that there was more than one route to becoming an licensed architect. This is directly from official websites of national associations....and one is to either study pre-architecture (such as architectural studies or a BA in architecture) or another undergraduate major and go on to a MArch degree program and the other is to enter a five year BArch program. I do believe that students who first got their BA in a liberal arts architecture program....be it Brown, Yale, Penn and many others, have gone onto successful architecture careers after earning their MArch degree. Who the TOP architects are in the world is not my concern. There are many paths to success.</p>

<p>Susan</p>

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<p>There are many different archtiectural careers. The preferred career is the design career. That's what most students dream when they sign up.</p>

<p>In graduate school, BArchs/BScArchs are seperated from BAs--except for a few courses. Makes sense, right? BArchs have five years of arch. They would be bored silly with a bunch of BAs--with or without six week summer programs. </p>

<p>They are well and truly past that stage of talent development.</p>

<p>This was confirmed in a marvelous bit of observation, written in a a previous thread by a Harvard ARch grad student, I_Wonder. Re-read her posts. She mkes it very clear how the strata lay out.</p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=64639&page=2&highlight=harvard%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=64639&page=2&highlight=harvard&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>If your S or D wants to be a top designer, they should get a BArch first. If they don't picture themselves as such, then a MArch is fine. They will get jobs and licenses. Not in my office though. Give me the kid with ten semesters of design, the one who can't help herself/himself. </p>

<p>btw...When helping your S or D consdier architecture, factor in 'talent' and creative drive. I have a S who has a massive creative talent. He can't help himself. He spends hours and hours making things--and he always has. He is not interested in architecture but if he were, he would be at the top of the talent pile. He has that willingness to be daring, that natural creativity and leadership. That's what parents should look for when encouraging architects to dream about being top designers.</p>

<p>sooze....I get what you said...but some of it was simply not true--starting with your statement that you don't think your D is amazing! haha. Sooze, you've posted a Kabillion posts about how amazing both your Ds are! They are! It's okay to admit that.</p>

<p>Thing is...my archtiecture school attracted hordes of other university students--looking for crazy fun. We were the cool and groovy ones everyone wanted to be around. I will bet it is the same now.</p>

<p>Let these freshman arch students get a few more months under their belts. They will soon admit that the studio hours are half work/half fun.
I'm still in a studio and it is still half work/half fun.</p>

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<p>Notable Female architects and their educations. </p>

<p>Elizabeth Diller BArch Cooper Union
Lorinda Spears BFA Brown/MArch Columbia
Billie Tsein yale BFA/March UCLA
Diana Agrest Diploma in Arch Unvieristyof Buenos Aires, studied further in Paris at the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes and the Centre du Recherche d’Urbanisme
Zaha Hadid BSc Maths Americna University of Beirut/Arch Diploma form AA in London
Eliabath Platter Zyberk, BARch princeton, MArch Yale
Denise Scott Brown, University of the Witwatersrand,
in Johannesburg, South Africa, Diploma in Tropical Arch AA in London, MArch U Penn, MArch Planning UPenn
Deborah Berke,B.F.A. and a B.ARCH. from the Rhode Island School of Design and an M.U.P. in Urban Design from the City University of New York.
Frances Halsband, BA Swarthmore, MArch Columbia
Gisue Hariri, BArchi Cornell
Morgan Hariri, BArch Cornell, MArch Cornell
elizabeth Danze, BArch UT, MArch Yale</p>

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<p>Cheers, Thanks for that link. What struck me were two things: Gonzo's comments that the financial outlook for architects isn't all that great unless you go to a top program or go into certain specialties...and that students either have a choice between paying for four years of undergrad then three years in an MArchI program or five years plus one year for the MArch2 program.</p>

<p>While a three-year MArch programs sound great for people who don't know for sure if they want to be an architect or decide to return to school later in life, it sounds like it would better financial sense to go the less expensive route of the BArch plus MArch2 program, especially if there's any sort of boost in job prospects. (Can't help thinking that an employer would prefer someone with six years of training to three).</p>

<p>That's very helpful information - thanks! And, I also appreciate your suggestions about what to look for in terms of potential in your child before encouraging them towards what sounds like an incredibly competitive field. My son often talks about architecture as a potential career, so I'll be sure to pass this information along to him. It certainly sounds like it takes more than just interest and drawing ability! </p>

<p>One other question - what's the availability of financial aid like for MArch students? Any difference in scholarships or TA position opportunities between MArch1 and MArch2 students? We'll have just enough to pay for undergrad, but he's on his own for graduate school. I suspect that he may want to get out the cheapest way possible if he does decide to pursue this as a career, especially if the first few years are going to be lean ones. ;)</p>

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<p>Drawing ability can be learned--it's the desire to make things that should be there. It takes a lot of nerve to make things that cost millions, stick up in the air seventy stories and will likely stay in that airspace for many decades. More nerve than sense, really.</p>

<p>S1 initially said he wanted to be an engineer. Uh...fine. He had the math talent but he was never the sort of boy who took things apart so he could put them back together like every engineer we know. Nevermind, one quick walk through a top engineering school hall and he came back gobsmacked. It wasn't the place for him and he knew it.</p>

<p>Be sure to tour a few architecture school studios. Better--sit in on a big critique session.</p>

<p>I went into my first art 'studio' when I was 12--sent at the nun's suggestion that my mother find a way to keep me occupied lest I start further trouble. I loved it. </p>

<p>Studios felt like instant home to me.</p>

<p>The financial outlook as an architect is unbelieveable--if you have all the right talents--architecture skill plus salemanship plus business savvy. There has been a 20 year building boom in the US that shows no signs of slowing. A partner in a firm makes $80 to $500 per hour --plus, plus plus. </p>

<p>You can't beat the BArch if you want to play at the top of the design game. That is where the fun is. Says me.</p>

<p>I borrowed a bit of money, $5K in 1979. It was easy to pay off but other than that experience, I don't knwo general data.</p>

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<p>A couple of things...</p>

<p>Cheers, some of your posts allude to the notion of becoming a "top" architect and a famous one and/or being in a big city top firm. That is not each architect-in-training's goal. My discussion is simply talking about paths to becoming a licensed architect. Personally, I can't even picture my D living in NYC. Right where we live in the country, we even have award winning and accomplished architects. One need not be tops or famous. I'm simply talking of becoming an architect. </p>

<p>You talked about a BArch student as having ten semester's of design studio. When you talk of those going into MArch programs who did not first go to BArch programs, I'm not sure if you are assuming all just took up some misc. major as undergraduates. Some do that and go to grad school for architecture. But some have done pre-professional degrees or architecture majors as undergrads and in those programs, have taken semesters of design studio too. This is not the same at all as a BArch student, but they do go into a graduate program with many architecture courses and studio first. I visited many such undergraduate pre-professional programs with my D and they had design studios and much coursework in design within a liberal arts degree. The graduates from these programs went on, in some cases, to top MArch programs. For anyone else reading who may be curious at where you can major in this in a BA liberal arts degree....she applied to: Yale, Princeton, Penn, Brown, Tufts, Smith, Conn College, and Lehigh. They all had this and some had more than others but they all have this major and all have studio. Brown has less design courses than some others but many of their architecture majors also take studio at RISD, do Harvard's Career Discovery, and semesters abroad with BArch programs like Syracuse or Cornell, for example. When my D was at Harvard Grad School of Design this past summer, she met current grad students who had come out of Brown and some of these other schools. She already has the beginnings of an architecture portfolio.</p>

<p>Usually, when a student has done a pre-professional architecture major in a BA or BS program, and then goes onto grad school for a MArch degree, this is referred to as the "4+2" path, instead of the 5 year BArch path. If the student has not studied architecture as an undergrad, then it is usually "4+3". In the Harvard Graduate School of Design model, those coming in with architecture majors in pre-professional programs were sometimes able to enter the 2 1/2 year graduate program. Those with less experience do 3 1/2 years. Those two subgroups comprise a majority of those in the graduate school, way more than those entering with a five year BArch, understandably because a BArch is already a professional degree with professional training. But somebody who say does an undergraduate pre-professional degree program and the 2 1/2 years of a MArch program, may also end up with about nine semesters of design studio conceivably. The many BA degree programs I visited had a couple years of design studio. Brown has less but they do have design studio, plus access to RISD design studios. My D's current RISD class is comprised of BArch and MArch students from RISD, along with some BA students from Brown. As well, if she pursues this field, she will do a semester abroad through an architecture program from another school. None of this is the same as a BAch program but it is STILL some architecture training prior to the MArch degree. </p>

<p>By the way, I am not sure what you interpretted from my posts but I surely believe architecture school is fun. My D has enjoyed everything she has done so far in this kind of coursework and in the immersion program she did this summer. Choosing to do a pre-professional liberal arts degree was not an attempt at more fun but merely at a broad education without the commitment to a particular career or field of study at a time when she was not experienced enough in that field to make such a decision, nor wanted the majority of her coursework to be in one professional training field as an undergraduate. That is why potential architecture students must weigh which educational path they wish to pursue that fits their needs. There are several paths to becoming a licensed architect. Even some of the TOP female architects in your post, did not have a BArch before going on for the MArch, though honestly I am not truly that interested in only top people in the field. My kid is interested in the field and striving for her goals but that need not mean a top firm or becoming famous.</p>

<p>I'm glad that you mentioned the need to have creativity and leadership as these are two qualities that my D does have and there are other ones that relate to this field in terms of both scientific and creative ways of thinking that truly mirror what she is like and why she has gravitated toward this discipline. </p>

<p>Carolyn, </p>

<p>I am going to paste a description of the architecture degree program options from which a student can choose for your information:</p>

<p>Degree Programs: </p>

<ol>
<li>Pre- Professional</li>
</ol>

<p>Pre-professional architecture degrees are architecturally-focused four year degrees that are not accredited and not professional degrees. These degrees include Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Architecture, Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies (B.S.A.S.), Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Architecture, Bachelor of Environmental Design (B.E.D), or Bachelor of Architectural Studies; the amount of architecture work in the program varies from school to school. As the amount of architectural work will vary, so to may the length of time required to complete further professional architecture studies. Some pre-professional degrees are within universities that also offer the accredited degree, however, others are within four-year liberal arts institutions. </p>

<p>Bachelor of Arts in Architecture (B.A. in Architecture) : The Bachelor of Arts in Architecture is a liberal arts degree that typically focuses upon architecture as a humanistic discipline. These programs tend to focus upon the "art of architecture." They often provide preparation for students in the areas of architectural history, theory, and in some cases design.</p>

<p>Bachelor of Science in Architecture (B.S. in Arch.): The Bachelor of Science in Architecture is an undergraduate course of study that integrates liberal and technical educational objectives. They typically address architecture as both </p>

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<p>You bring up good points sooze, but the majority of architects live and work in urban centers--for obvious reasons--that's where all the majority of building happens. The competition in those urban centers is very tough. Aiming for the top will at least get you a decent career.</p>

<p>Anyway, suddenly you are an advocate of not aiming for the top?? </p>

<p>True, an architect can locate in a small rural town. They can win awards. Their financial income is limited. The scope of their work is be limited. Not too many tall buildings in small rural towns--or hotels. Oftentimes an outside archtiect w ill be brought in to do major civic work.</p>

<p>I am going to do a list for notable male architects....I believe I will find even stronger results for a BArch. I cannot think of any male architects who didn't get their BArch.</p>

<p>Your D, depending on her level of ambition, shoudl consider geting her BArch. That's my advice.</p>

<p>Also, after six to fifteen semesters of design training, most architects do not aspire to design Mr Wobblie's new kitchen addition. It ain't that thrilling decade after decade.</p>

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<p>I am not an architect, nor am i Soozie's D's mom. But i'm going to jump in anyway. I actually have never heard Soozie advocate aiming for the top; I have heard her speak up for aiming to do your best at whatever you choose to do, which is not the same thing.</p>

<p>If her D was to do the B.ARch. my understanding is that she could not do that in a Liberal Arts setting, so she would be losing something that seems by everything Sooz has said to be really important to her D. Valuing that liberal arts education does not mean that, if she ends up being an architect, that she would not be passionate about the subject. It means that other things matter to her, too. isn't that a good thing?</p>

<p>And if she does end up "designing Mr. Wobblie's new kitchen addition", then I bet he'll get the best addition for him that's possible. And is that such a bad thing?</p>

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<p>No...it's not such a bad thing. It's a great $30k to $60k a year thing. It's a bit repetitive and it's a bit annoying to have too many residential clients. Ask any architect. At the end of the day, who cares if the loo matches the wash basin or is affordable if we get the Aga. That's not architecture. It's handholding and consumerism at it's pinnacle--great training if an architect wants to learn how to detail substantial materials--but not something many architects would choose to do for decades on end --if they had their druthers. </p>

<p>Anyway....Sooze? Not advocate for the top? What, are you kidding me?</p>

<p>In the few years that I have read sooze's posts, she has always held out the very very tippy top of the MT profession as a possiblity, God willing, for her D2. And so she should. That's where all the talent is--that's where the fun is for creative types.</p>

<p>sooze should apply those same hard 'creative career' realities to her notion of her D1's potential architecture career. </p>

<p>Here's a list of some notable male architects. I imagine the results would be similar if I could find the stats for partners in their own professional practices. </p>

<p>carolyn--note Ando's biography. He is extraordinary but that early behavior would have been a real indicator.</p>

<p>Stephen Holl BArchHon Univ Washington, Diploma AA in London</p>

<p>Robert AM Stern BA Columbia, MArch Yale</p>

<p>Tadao Ando (self taught) from ages 10 to 17 ando spent his time mostly making wood models
of ships, airplanes, and moulds, learning the craft from a carpenter
whose shop was across the street from his home.
1962-1969, by his early twenties, ando had decided on a self-directed
course of architectural study that took him throughout japan to visit
temples, shrines, and tea houses, to europe, africa and to the united
states. he was studying architecture by going to see actual buildings,
and reading books about works of architects such as le corbusier,
ludwig mies van der rohe, alvar aalto, frank lloyd wright, and louis kahn </p>

<p>Daniel Liebskind (Got a BArch form Cooper after studying music)daniel libeskind studied music in israel and in new york becoming
a virtuoso performer. he left music to study architecture receiving
his professional architectural degree at the cooper union for the
advancement of science and art in 1970 in new york city
and a postgraduate degree in history and theory of architecture
at the school of comparative studies at essex university in 1972. </p>

<p>Peter Eisenman bachelor of architecture degree from cornell university in 1955,
a master of architecture degree from columbia university, m.a. and ph.d.
degrees from the university of cambridge, and an honorary doctor of fine arts
degree from the university of illinois, chicago. </p>

<p>Aldo Rossi, graduated from the Milan Politecnico in 1959 with a doploma in architecture (studied film beofrehand)</p>

<p>Alvar Aalto graduated with honors from Helsinki Polytechnic in 1921 after which he opened his own practice.</p>

<p>Norman Foster received his architectural training at Manchester University School of Architecture, which he entered at age 21, and Yale University. </p>

<p>Richard Rogersattended the Architectural Association School in London before graduating from Yale University with a MArch (where he met Foster, presumably)</p>

<p>IM Pei left China when he was eighteen to study architecture at MIT and Harvard.</p>

<p>Charles Gwathmey studied at the University of Pennsylvania School of Architecture under Louis I. Kahn, Robert Venturi, and Thomas Vreeland. In 1962 he graduated with a masters degree in architecture from Yale University where he studied under Paul Rudolph and James Stirling.</p>

<p>Richard Meier He graduated from Cornell University with a BArch in 1957 then worked with a series of architects, including Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill and Marcel Breuer. </p>

<p>Frank Gehry BScArch Universities of Southern California and MArch Harvard,</p>

<p>Rem Koolhause, A Dutch graduate of the AA School in London</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Anyway....Sooze? Not advocate for the top?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I agree with Garland, one can want "the best" for one's children without wanting "the top."</p>

<p>The "best" does NOT always equal the top.</p>

<p>Look at the choices Susan has made for herself. She has a graduate degree from Harvard's ed school---if she had chosen she might have gone on to "the top"--perhaps a superintendent of a large school district, a headmistress of an elite prep school, or perhaps a dean in a university....but instead, she chose to take a job teaching primary grades in a rural elementary school in an area where she wanted to settle down and raise a family, and now she is doing some private counselling on CC.</p>

<p>Some might disparage her choices as "not the top career" in education, but who among us is not to say that it is not the BEST choice for Soozie.</p>

<p>I'm afraid that too much of the depression we see in children and teenagers and young adults comes from a relentless sense that they must aspire to the "top."</p>

<p>For myself, my children, and my students, I would say, "Do your BEST--keeping in mind that the best requires finding the right BALANCE in your life, and have a good time." Perhaps doing your best will get you to the top and perhaps not...but that's not the important thing--a happy, satisfying, meaningful life is the important thing.</p>

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<p>But Cheers, what exactly does 'Freshman blues - normal?' have to do with Susan's daughter. And I don't understand why you choose to single her out. We all know you are a big-shot architect who does not engage in linear thinking ! But it's sort-of baffling why you would spend so much time on this....when someone's daughter is just out to investigate before jumping into a career. I think it is mean-spirited of you. I realize I could get booted out of CC for saying this.....you could report this offensive post to the mods.</p>

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<p>Wisteria, I was thinking the exact same thing.....thanks for verbalizing what many of us were thinking!!</p>

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<p>Wisteria,</p>

<p>A wise post for which I thank you. I am thinking of copy/pasting it in an email to my son, to let him know I am not alone in what I have been telling him since he got to college. We need balance in our lives.</p>

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<p>Momofthree, not only do we need balance, we also need some humility in conversing on a message board with other people! Or else, we need to go away!</p>