<p>I am a freshman Penn SEAS student. I think I might know this student...or heard of him...</p>
<p>Penn Engineering is hard. No doubt about it. ie, there are special sections of chemistry that SEAS must take which is slightly harder than chemistry for non-SEAS. The overall credit units required is highest of all majors (exception of dual degree) @40-41. This means an average of 5.0 cu/sem. </p>
<p>It gets stressful here, but you must realize that all students go through this process of finding their niche. I don't think you should worry, as long as he has good friends. There are points when I feel a little down because of the coursework (or not getting into the right classes) but it all passes. It is a phase that I went through during my first two weeks when I started registering for my classes. I am a declared BE major, so course selection was easy for me. I didnt do advance registration so I did not know what classes I was taking until Sept 1. I didnt get into the right sections and my schedule looked horrible until around Sept 13 when I got it fixed. </p>
<p>There are plenty of people that can help relieve stress here @ Penn. Your friends, your RA/GA, your advisor, etc. Any academic problems...then go to 111 Towne. They fix your engineering course registration problems. They are there to guide you through this process, so make use of them.</p>
<p>think the first semester at college is truly a wake up call. Most of these kids are used to being the brightest in their high school and usually didn't have to work that hard to get there. Your son sounds naturally gifted. They are getting used to time management issues and engineering takes more classes 1str semester than the other programs, that can also be discouraging when other people have time for activities and partying or just socializing down time.<br>
An extracurricular is a must. He needs a diversion. I know too many kids like this and the worse they feel the more they become introverted making the situation worse. Is he getting any exercise? Going to the gym could also elevate his mood.<br>
Listening to others that are having a good time is worrisome but don't worry too much many people don't speak the truth. At least he is venting. He needs to reach out whether it is to people in his dorm, classes. Maybe even some study groups. Maybe you could go through the list of ecs and suggest 1 or 2, he needs a diversion. Good Luck!</p>
<p>Thanks to all who have posted or sent PMs. Just to clarify, I didn't post because my son wanted to change majors or transfer out of Penn, not at all. It's funny how it takes a life of its own, and it is hard to describe situations, without offering too much personal information [I was a bit horrified by the 'I think I know that student' statement, and will perhaps switch my cc participation to the lurking mode for a while!] </p>
<p>Honestly, I just wanted to peek ahead to the future, and to see if others experienced freshman fall doldrums at all. Perhaps it was a dumb question! Or as some suggest, better suited in the Parents Cafe. </p>
<p>And thank you, citylights....my son is exercising regularly and actually has too many ec's! He had to even drop one or two, as he realized he was too busy with the others, not to mention the course load, which is the priority. </p>
<p>I'm sure once finals are over, and after a well deserved winter break, things will be brighter. I am lucky he does vent to me, as he's not apt to let on to anyone else, though he does use his advisors, classmates, for advice too. He really is a great kid, and has a wonderful head on his shoulders, not to mention the amazing brain inside it :)
Thanks again.</p>
<p>Change is never easy and I think so people adapt quicker than others. I am sure he will do great things and be happy doing them. You sound like a great mom, he is very lucky to have you to vent to. It is also fortunate that he does share with you. Being on their own for the first time can be daunting. Time management is so important including scheduling "down time". Sounds like he is already figuring things out. Good Luck!</p>