Usually the first year is the most difficult year for a new engineering student. It is particularly difficult for students who were all A’s in secondary school courses where the school may have lacked some “rigor.” Through hard work and self-discipline they have learned to swim by the end of the first year. In the second year, they climb the GPA ladder and the problem is solved if they have figured out how they need to address their discipline/study technique issues. Prior to college, all A’s were achieved with three hours of homework per day. I base this observation on our engineering college’s own faculty studies and the personally observed development of my freshman roommate who went on to became head of research for Hughes within ten years of graduation.
A second type of student was honed by very strong prep schools. These students already were used to studying five or six hours per day as well as participating daily in mandatory athletics. These students often found the first year less challenging as they fell out of the more rigorous habits developed in secondary school and actually experience a drop in GPA in the second year. First year students are actually a closely watched nursery in the first year of an engineering college. In the second year, the reins are typically taken by their selected department.
Study habits are key here and a one size fits all may not work. I needed absolute quiet and periods of regular exercise as formerly practiced in secondary school. When I ran into challenges in my second year, my cross-country coach told me to NOT stop running as it would not help my academic challenges. The truth was, I had a breakdown of my study habits.
Engineering students have no time to waste, but still need to find a personal balance.
You offer many good suggestions. Now your son has to engineer his solution.