<p>Would anyone care to comment as to how it is going for your first year student? As we have followed many of you in the process it is natural to want to know how it is going as we approach the end of the first semester. I'll let you know how it is going for us.</p>
<p>Son is nearing the end of first semester at Penn State University Park College of Engineering. He is doing fine however there are many kids who have dropped out of the physics class. He was surprised by the number of kids who weren't doing well in his calculus class also and said, "there are going to be many who change majors." Personally, I got a little nervous when he told me what he has registered for next semester.All I said was,"those are pretty tough courses."But I have faith in him and he is well prepared. As for the quad room he is living in , by his own choice, I think he may be changing that after freshman year. It's too darn crowded. All it takes is one to make the two rooms and bath a wreck.It's too close living and I'm really glad he has all his shots! I recall living in a quad when I was 19 as being fun but as I see it now it's just too many bodies living too close together. He is enjoying the football games and has taken up training with the crew team on occasion.The campus drinking isn't affecting him as he is pretty sports oriented and would rather go out and toss a ball rather than sit somewhere in a stuper. And there are plenty who feel the same way! It's going fine and isn't disappointed by his major yet. </p>
<p>Would be interested in how it is going for your kids.</p>
<p>S is very happy. Three out of four of his classes are challenging and fun; the other began less well, but is now covering materials that is new, so he is enjoying it more despite the fact that the prof is not a great lecturer. A couple of his suitemates seem to be uncertain as to their majors, but they hae the rest of the year to decide on one.
He gets along well with suitemates. A couple of them are very involved in ECs; a couple--including him--decided not to get involved in ECs in the first semester; but S is seriously considering doing some tutoring in his second semester.
He's going out to lunch with a group of high school friends in a couple of hours. They all seem to have adjusted well to their various colleges.</p>
<p>A lot is going well for S1, who is a first year at Brown. He just finished a Gilbert and Sullivan show, had a major role, and a whole lot of fun. He likes his professors, and has been able to make contact with them outside of class, which is a positive. I think he is surprised by the degree of academic stress, though his grades are good (not perfect, though, as he had come to expect of himself). Living in a substance free dorm has proven to be a great thing for him and there has been some great bonding in the dorm. He plays intramural basketball, loves that!!
Learning to balance fun and work is still a challenge since the place he has chosen to study (the dorm) is the place where so much fun is happening. We had a long talk about separating himself from the dorm, finding a better, less distracting place, like the music library, to study, and I hope that helps. I think sleep issues are real, since his roomie only needs about 5 hours and keeps the light on till 2:00. Got S a sleep mask and some ear plugs, which might help a little. Sleep is hard enough to get in college, and I sense that he is really pretty worn out.
And exams haven't even happened yet!</p>
<p>Things are going well for S, who is a freshman at Harvard. He likes his classes, and is doing extremely well. Having one freshman seminar, which is mandatory pass/fail, helps take some of the pressure off. He is also playing JV tennis and has joined a political action club.
S. expecially likes his suitemates, and the four of them, plus one other friend that he met last year, and two girls from his dorm, have formed a nice group that tends to do things together. The one problem that I posted about on a separate thread (a problem in my eyes--s. has been rather unconcerned) is that one of the suitemates smokes in the common room. From what s. tells us, he and his roomate (who does mind) have recently begun to enforce the idea of him smoking outside, but they have not been consistent about it. During this vacation, my husband and I have again stressed the importance--to his health and others-- of him dealing with this directly and consistently. The good news is that his roomate, his girl friend, and the fifth guy who is in the suite a lot and may block with them for next year, do mind, so it seems likely that they will not let this go on over the long haul. What's interesting is that I was told (by this fifth guy who's staying with us over Thanksgiving) that the proctor in this dorm is particularly laid back, and that this would never be going on in his dorm, where the proctor is more likely to enforce rules. Altho, since it doesn't seem that anyone's reported this to the proctor, he may not even be aware of it. Anyway, I have hope that this issue is moving in the right direction, and otherwise, I'm extremely grateful that my son is happy and doing well.</p>
<p>S2 is at Lawrence University, enjoying himself, attending lots of performances and concerts - he never liked theater much, but now he can't resist - too much is going on around (half of Lawrence kids are musicians). Unexpectedly, he does not mind the degree of supervision he found there ("We discussed my progress with my adviser again... he tells I'm doing well despite the bad homework grades"). He lives in a double (most freshmen do) but his roommate is never home. Sometimes he spends time watching a movie and talking with a group of friends till 3 a.m., but it does not happen too often. He said that a group of drunk guys he once met in a lounge was the best anti-alcohol propaganda he ever encountered... He studies at the library (just across the road from his dorm) and tells me he can't do it in the dorm. His meal plan (which seemed excessive this summer) is not big enough and apparently he will run out of "meals" on his card before the end of the term. But he still fits into his old jeans... :)</p>
<p>S3 is at Princeton, taking four classes and auditing one (it's almost impossible to get the permission to take five in Fall for a freshman). He lives in a quad, but spends most of his time in another quad with a group of friends (mostly asian kids, but surprisingly not math/physics kids). They play DDR and lots of games I never heared of. He also has lots of old friends on campus (from his school and from several camps), so the adjustment was easier for him. They often meet for study groups. He joined the juggling club but does not go to any performances or parties. All he talks about now is how he would like to take this class, and that one, and also that one next semester - so far he was able to cut the number down to 11 classes, and he just can't give up any of them :) He knows pretty well that it's impossible, of course. He only cares about his grades because nobody will let him take additional classes if he will get C's this semester... sigh. I am worried about him doing homework overnight - not out of necessity but out of habit. Sigh sigh. But he is obviously happy and enjoys his classes (even the mandatory writing seminar: he managed to get into something science-related). So, oh well... I hope he'll be able to sort out his sleeping habits with time.</p>
<p>Well, our son is hanging in there (Soph, USNA). 20 hours, Calc II, Calc based Physics, Lit, Civ, Navigation, PE, and Spanish III. Oh, and he's an English major! ;) He is also charged with 4 Freshmen (plebes) that he is responsible for teaching Professional Knowledge to. He has sleep issues as well, since no one sleeps much there after Plebe year and he usually ends up with about 3 hours per night. He can, however, take naps now when he has a free period (can't lie down during the day as a Plebe) so that helps a lot. He can also listen to music this year and IM, so that has made life much better, too!</p>
<p>He has no siblings, but he now has friends that have become as close as siblings. They have been through the fire together, and it has forged bonds that I believe will last a lifetime. Needless to say, the entire 4,000 occupants or Bancroft Hall are required to be substance free, but they are kids, and those over 21 go out in town regularly to kick up their heels. A different college experience from most, but priceless, nonetheless.</p>
<p>D is soph at Haverford. Last yr, she lived in a coed 1st yr dorm that had suites of 4...which was a great way to get to know classmates and support one another. This yr, she is in a single...closer to the dining center and the library...which requires a little more effort to visit with her friends..so somewhat of an adjustment. But, many still have classes together...so they quickly formed study groups. Soph yr is an academic reality check...but D is holding her own...taking org chem, bio, linear algebra, and a music theory course (where the students are all music majors! :eek:)...she's in the science lab 3 times a week...TA-ing a gen chem lab. But, it hasn't seem to have deterred her from her plans to declare chem as her major...the peer support is great. She returned to campus after spending Thanksgiving with classmates's family in DC. When she called yesterday, they were going to work on problem sets for math...so all is good. :)</p>
<p>S 1 and only is at Lawrence in the same dorm as Marmat's son! Right across from the library! it is a good thing. Mine is in love, has started a retirement account, loves the school, has different jobs, and I don't know much about the classes. Freshman studies is for everyone, and his theory is tough. He had a little solo last week at some concert, his oboe teacher is like "Yoda" of Star Wars fame...good at what he does, he is doing some arranging for composition...and if he has run out or is running out of food he can also eat at his catering job. He gets along with his roomate and has a circle of good friends. He calls Lawrence "a great little school that caters to everyone's needs."</p>
<p>DS is also doing well (we only seem to have S's on this thread?!) He is a Visiting Student at Bates, doing well in his science-heavy courseload. He felt the upper level Physics course was overwhelming at first, but now not so much and has a good grade. He felt Calc II was repetitive, but now not so much and is also doing well. Doing fine in the hated Chem. Taking his PoliSci course P/F, so okay on that, altho not happy that his papers are getting lower marks than his own "standards." He plays intramural volleyball, a few other casual activities, has made friends and is having fun. Yet - a concern only for us parents of Katrina students - he is not so attached that he regrets the Moving On phase he will be starting in January upon return to Tulane. He has registered for Spring classes and his load is heavy - par for the course for Engineering. He yearns for the lighter load of class hours that non-Eng students have, but not enough to want to change his plan. All in all, a successful first term. We have another "first term" to go, though, and I hope for (and expect) a similar adjustment there. I'm thinking that these Tulane Katrina kids will have such an instant bond.</p>
<p>S is a freshman at Dartmouth, and is happier than I ever expected him to be. He has a challenging courseload -- MV Calculus, Honors Physics, Philosophy and a music performance class. Dartmouth is on the quarter system, so finals are at the end of next week, and then he's home for the holidays 12/7 or so. His dorm floor has bonded tightly, and he was anxious to get back to school after Thanksgiving. His classes seem to keep him very busy, and the kids are all so bright that there is no slacking off. He seems to be doing well, but I expect at least 1 B or B+ for the quarter -- not bad, by any means, but not what he was used to in HS. He does seem really committed to the Physics major -- he can't imagine any class being tougher than this first year honors sequence, but it's actually his best class so far, and he expects an A or A-. His roommate is a friend for life, and I think the whole floor wants to room together again next year -- we'll see how they all feel at the end of the year! The biggest surprise to us is that he is so socially involved -- he was always on the quiet side in HS, but he sure is breaking out of that mold in college. I think the trick for him will be to balance his social life with the academic load -- right now, he seems to be giving up on sleep in order to do all of the other activities.</p>
<p>DS is a freshman music performance major at Indiana University. He loves the music opportunities there, enjoys his classes, but doesn't care for Midwest weather much, hates dorm food, and doesn't like the party atmosphere of much of the college. (He was sucked into it briefly, but soon decided it was not for him.)</p>
<p>He is taking 19 credits this semester--an accelerated German course (so he can get the requirement over in one semester instead of two) which is really challenging him, music theory--which has been a lot of work, but which he loves, piano, trumpet master class, private lessons, and two ensembles--concert band and jazz band. He loves being able to immerse himself in music and attends several concerts every week. He has been to the Chicago Symphony twice already.</p>
<p>He got along well with his roommate, but the roommate decided to move into a single, so S currently has a single until a new roommate is assigned to him. S also has his first girlfriend, which, of course, makes him happy! He is hoping to be an RA next year and save us some money and himself some loans, even though he really would prefer to live in an apartment. (Good kid!)</p>
<p>I'm glad to see anoter Katrina mom posting, so I will, too. My son is doing okay at Cornell while he waits to get back to Tulane. He's working too much--20 hours a week instead of the 10 to 12 I thought he'd be putting in,and it's affecting his grades. That and getting there over two weeks late is, I guess. But he'll get reasonable grades in all but one class, which is a class for upperclassmen that he has no reason to be in. Just one of those things that we should have expected with the turmoil, I guess. If he pulls a C in that one, I'm going to do something special to treat him. </p>
<p>He's into Ultimate Frisbee at Cornell, as he hoped to be at Tulane, and he's still looking for people to Contra Dance with. I think that could be a problem at Tulane, so I don't know how that part of the transition will go for him. However, there will be plenty else to keep him busy once he gets back to NOLA, and he's more than ready to spend his time putting in sweat equity to make New Orleans his own. </p>
<p>Like other Katrina parents, I am a bit concerned that he has to start all over in many ways in January, but he's strong. This has been a very rough beginning, but transferring everythign pass/fail can't hurt. it takes the pressure off the scholarship students, of which he is one.</p>
<p>Overall, he is happy, I think. He's a guy. Who can tell?</p>
<p>Daughter loves Oberlin. She has a bass teacher who is really giving her a workout, she plays in the Chamber Orchestra and also takes Music History, Aural Skills, and Calculus. She is learning to cook for 70 or so in her vegan co-op and seems to get along with her Korean roommate who now speaks English much better than she did at the start of the term. She wants to learn to play viola da gamba over winter term (January).</p>
<p>Beyond this, I have not heard very much from her. She did not come home for Fall break or for Thanksgiving, so we are looking forward to seeing her in December and getting all the details.</p>
<p>well my D is a senior- jsut went back yesterday after 3 nights home- it was nice to see her- cause we hadn't seen her since August.
She looked well- I have the impression her thesis is going well- but keeping her very busy- she didn't even want the magazines I got her to read on the train- had thesis work to do.
She has a thesis office- so doesn't have to study in library or in apt- she appreciates that, as her apt is a few steps farther than she is used to living.
Along with her science classes, she is also performing in a holiday concert next Sunday that I just heard about ( they are perfoming Stravinsky's Mass)- I would like to go- but her sister is also in the soccer tournament- so not sure if will be able to . ( also sounds like she is taking a music theory class that she needs to play the piano for as well as chorus)
I probably will stay home- she feels that she needs to entertain us when we visit- and she is so busy now with school and work- that she doesn't feel like she can take the time to entertain mom and dad
no matter- soon it will be the holidays and even though she will probably have her nose in a book the whole time- we can at least see her :)</p>
<p>My son is happier then I have ever seen him. He feels at home, has a new girlfriend, was elected president of his pledge class and says the classes are easier then they were senior year of HS. Of course, as he explains it, classes senior year actually counted, and getting a top grade was important. The school he is in now has a "pass-no record" system for the first semester of freshman year. He is getting very high A's in all subjects and is thinking of maybe doing a double major when the time comes to declare next spring. He has made many friends, loves his dorm-mates and enjoys being close to a major city. He was home for Thanksgiving with his new GF in tow and another classmate, there was to be a "small" poker game here Friday night which turned into a HS Re-union. It was fun to see how excited they all were and hear them talk about their new lives away from home. From what I hear, classes will become progressively more challenging, A JOB is in his future next semester, and the honeymoon does not last forever. For now though, all is better then I dared hope it would be. I know I bragged a bit here, but I am just so excited for him, and I thought that this is one place I could get away with it.</p>
<p>Especially great to hear from our Tulane families on their children's challenging first year, but with S2 in HS, I am interested in all comments re freshman year everywhere.<br>
S1 is at Duke and looked so fulfilled at Parent's Weekend...like a Happy Train had slammed him or he had died and gone to heaven. What happened to my homebody with a few close buddies in HS? His cell phone rang about every five minutes and he joyfully introduced us to at least thirty kids. He is already a Cameron Crazy, but still is one of the only young people in attendance at every classical music event Duke offers...and they do offer rich cultural events, not just great sports. He got the smallest room in his dorm but the world's best roommate...a very Zen outdoorsman who brought no TV or video games, so the room is a retreat and peaceful. He is emotionally charged up daily and academically engaged at every level...not acing everything but I have never seen him more intellectually alive and engaged and he is still complimenting his Profs even when his grades aren't stellar. A-plus-plus for Duke's FOCUS program which gave him an intimate liberal arts beginning and access to caring, smart full Profs from Day One, plus each themed program is scattered in one dorm each..so he has instant close friends and study group in his building. He is in a strong position now to face the larger courses and to cope with the fact that Duke actually has 6000 undergrads and is not really an intimate LAC at all. Negative so far is the realization that everyone is up till 2am and I attribute this to the thrill of technology..laptops, IMs and cell phones eat up time we all used to spend sleeping when we were 20. Other negative..crime blighting Durham around the campus..seriously not a nice place to walk without a group. Two Dukies mugged in the last couple weeks who walked alone very late near campus.
For anyone reading with no kids at college yet..here is what I was most surprised and pleased about. My S used to talk to me about his day, his challenges, his ups and downs. Although I miss him...that is a separate issue...I realized Parent's Weekend that he has thirty new great young people to talk over his day with--and they seemed like superb young adults. I left content knowing that he has so many smart and sensible and upbeat young men and women around him all day. Any one of them could give good advice and support to my almost 19 year old and he is in good company should he have a problem or challenge to face. Makes it easier to let go, folks. BTW he plans to pick up the Viola da gamba next--(LOL) one of his dreams. Pretty soon it is time to figure out things like where to live and who to live with next year, but after meeting his comrades, I am confident and grateful.</p>
Same here -- how did this happen? Were these guys really so different in HS? The only think that makes sense to me is that they are now among like-minded kids -- I have no other explanation for how my son has come out of his shell. It just boggles my mind to imagine him dancing at parties etc.</p>