<p>Recently, there have been a lot of posts about freshmen who are having some difficulties adapting to college. My best wishes to all of you with kids who are struggling. Reading some of the posts has made me more apprehensive so I thought maybe we should have a more positive post.</p>
<p>My D seems to have started out well. She has been very happy, made a lot of friends, and says she could not have found a more perfect college experience. Even so I have been concerned. Her stats put her in the bottom quartile and she is taking a heavy course load. Until the past few days she had not taken any major tests. Yesterday, she called and let me know that she got her midterm exam grades and has signed up for tutoring for 4 courses. When I recovered and could hear the rest of the story, I learned she has all B's and possibly an A- in her hardest course. I told her that sounded pretty good but she replied "when did I ever not try to do better?"</p>
<p>I couldn't be happier about her determination. To those of you still waiting to find out how your kids adapt to college, may it turn out as well or better.</p>
<p>Yay edad and edaughter! "She says she could not have found a more perfect college experience"--music to a parent's ears. I hope to hear those words someday! </p>
<p>I have one older struggling student who seems to have gotten his act together lately so that is a positive. And I have another one who is in his second year, seems to be enjoying college, and is pleased with how he is doing. This younger one, though e-mailed recently that he and his friends were planning to watch "Trading Spouses" together--sounds like it could be the beginning of a downhill spiral--should I be concerned? I am not making this up, and no I am not really worried I guess (that much, anyway), just confounded that he would suddenly take an interest in this stuff . . .</p>
<p>I had to goggle to find out what you meant by trading spouses. I remember that goofing on bad TV shows was a major form of dorm entertainment. The goofs were a lot more creative than the shows.</p>
<p>My freshman son had some struggles at the start of the year, particularly with Accelerated German. In fact I posted on cc asking for ideas for him, because he felt overwhelmed. He went to the professor and talked about how to study. I just heard from him, and he has raised his grade up to somewhere between A- and A. He isn't confident that he can maintain this level through the semester, but at least I know he is working hard. I am proud of him!</p>
<p>Congrats to your son! Congrats for having the good sense to go to the prof (it can be intimidating) and congrats for the grade improvement. That's great news.</p>
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This younger one, though e-mailed recently that he and his friends were planning to watch "Trading Spouses" together--sounds like it could be the beginning of a downhill spiral--should I be concerned?
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mstee, I had to grin when I saw this. My recently-graduated d and her friends accumulated an encyclopedic knowledge of what can only be called crap TV during her 4 years at W & M. Every time I talked to her, there were plans to watch some abysmal show or other (can't name any of them, but I'd bet "Trading Spouses" was one). I think this was just blowing-off-steam time, because several of these kids are now in law school, med school, were inducted into PBK, etc. </p>
<p>It does give one pause to think about really, really smart kids getting together to watch the Anna Nicole show or whatever it may be, but they seem to have a hoot doing it, so I'm sure you're right that it's no big deal.</p>
<p>Good for your d, edad - sounds as if she's figured out how to get where she wants to go and is well on the way!</p>
<p>I had to chime in with the success stories. My son is having a great freshman year. He told me not to expect more than a B in advanced Spanish, but A's in his other classes. He could probably work harder in Spanish, but he does like to have fun. Advanced Spanish was a requirement, even though he hasn't had Spanish since Junior year. So he was not thrilled about that. College language is alot different than high school language. Oh well, I really can't get on him about one B. I am used to him getting all A's. I guess that happens alot. We have such high expectations. He also watches t.v. with a group. A girl made him watch Desperate Housewives and he hated it. He has two t.v.s in his room. They watch two footballs games on Sunday. I was really impressed with his new friends. What a nice group of guys and girls. I am still up about our great time at parent weekend.</p>