<p>Just found out freshman S grades. He received three B's, one C, and two P's. While not horrible, they're not great. He's in the honors program and four of his classes were honors classes.</p>
<p>Following his high school trend, I think he is having trouble with self-motivation, time-management, and says there are always quite a few people coming and going from his room. Additionally, we've always wondered about ADHD, which his little brother does have.</p>
<p>What's more, he has a much heavier load next semester. We intentionally had him start out with a lighter load, knowing there might be some adjustment issues. He has also talked about dropping out of the honors programs and just taking regular classes.</p>
<p>Is there anything a parent can do to help in these situations? Or do you just let them figure it out on their own?</p>
<p>I’d try to get my freshman to examine to what extent that he thinks he could have improved his grades (less extra curriculars, less cramming, getting more help earlier on, etc.). </p>
<p>But if the answer is, “I worked my buns off and this was as good as I got,” then be satisfied. Parents (and kids) have to realize that the level of high school performance may not be repeatable in college.</p>
<p>I don’t think these are horrible first term freshman grades at all. I personally don’t think that six classes of any kind are a “lighter load”. Each of those classes requires a significant amount of independent work. It might be that the number of courses needs to be considered, not just the types of courses.</p>
<p>Is there any benefit to your son being in the honors program? Is being in this attached to scholarship money, for example? </p>
<p>At my son’s university, one C would not have been considered a disappointing term. In fact, at orientation the parents were told specifically…you all A high school student may be surprised when he/she doesn’t get all A’s in college.</p>
<p>As mentioned by EMNOP…if this student put forth good effort and feels this represents his best effort, that is different than if he say “gee…I could have studied more, partied less, planned ahead, done things NOT at the last minute, etc”. </p>
<p>There are many students whose first term freshman grades are indicative of adjusting to college, independent work expectations, and the new freedom they now have as college students.</p>
<p>Can he stay in the honors program with those grades? At my daughter’s school the grade requirements to stay in honors were quite high. She was booted out junior year when her GPA dropped below a 3.5.</p>
<p>Both of my sons, one now graduated and one a college jr, made the worst grades of their college life first sem. freshman yr. S2 was a very avg. h.s. student so it was not unexpected (although the degree of failure was). S1 was a top h.s. student who made a 3.2 his first sem.(nothing to be upset about) but he was only taking 12 hours and one of his classes was PE. Both kids steadily improved after first sem.</p>
<p>S1 was on a full ride and had to maintain 3.2 to keep his scholarship so we were a little worried that if he barely made it the first sem. how would he manage when the going got rough. He did just fine and graduated w/ honors. He was invited to join the honors college program but declined and stuck with reg. classes. It didn’t “harm” him at all.</p>
<p>The term “disappointment” usually means “failure to meet expectations”. Maybe the expectations are off. I don’t know where your S attends college but consider the student body at his college vs HS. For many who are attending colleges with competetive admissions, there’s an adjustment since the student body may be entirely comprised students who would have been the top 5% (or 10% or 30% - it’s all relative) of the HS student body.</p>
<p>‘Grade level adjustment’ aside, I agree with the others that the focus should be whether or not he’s putting in a reasonable amount of effort. He may very well be and this is what it is grade-wise. If these were engineering/CS courses then he’d probably be pretty happy they were as high as they were. At some colleges in some courses the grading for the ‘honors’ courses can be pretty harsh and the curve high if they’re using one in the course. </p>
<p>I do wonder why he’s in honors courses if he really has trouble with self motivation, time management, and focus/distractions (the people running in/out of the room). The good news is maybe he’s not having these problems since his grades really aren’t bad - especially for a first semester which is usually when the student experiences an adjustment period to get used to the college ways.</p>
<p>In the end though it’s really up to him to steer this ship - not you other than to perhaps provide some guidance and support every now and then. If anything, see what he thinks about the grades and how it went and if he put in a reasonable effort offer your ‘understanding’ and support and encouragement - let him know that there’s a good chance his grades will improve as he gets more used to the college experience and perhaps even adjusts course loads, course types, major, and honors/non-honors as appropriate.</p>
<p>There could be a problem with staying in the honors program because they might require a minimum gpa. Otherwise, I don’t see a problem with the B’s. The C might concern me if it is in a course which continues next semester, like Calculus I or General Physics I. In that case, I would suggest S be hitting the text hard to review the material and get a jump on next semester.</p>
<p>Thanks to all for your insights. To those who questioned why I think 6 classes is a lite load, it’s because only three of the classes are traditional (3 credit) classes. The other three include chorus, and two 1 hour freshman experience classes – totaling just 12 hours.</p>
<p>As for how he sees the situation . . . he knows he needs to find a way to focus better and use his time better. As of right now he will take 16 hours next semester but only one of the classes will be honors classes.</p>
<p>We may check into the ADHD issue more but his never seemed as severe as brother’s – always very borderline.</p>
<p>The “room” is not the best place to study. You might suggest he find a spot on campus where it’s quiet and he’s not disburbed. It doesn’t have to be the library, most campuses have great little nooks where kids can go…sometimes even in the dorm. Neither of my boys were able to study in their freshman dorm rooms, too many kids coming and going. If you and he agree that he’s putting in reasonable effort then he needs to focus on areas that he excels and/or drop the honors classes if those are problematic.</p>
<p>My son received a 4.0 first semester at a school perceived as ‘difficult’ and even now he thinks they will find their ‘mistake’ and ‘fix’ his grade. Even with chemistry and calculus his first semester he did better than high school. I think he was scared to death starting college and may have studied harder than ever before…and in going to a different state he actually had fewer distractions due to fewer friends. I am also thinking that some kids mature later than others and that it’s finally his time…anyone else see this delayed maturity thing with academics?</p>
<p>I am waiting nervously for S’s first semester grades to be posted. In hs he had a terrible habit of telling me everything was fine until the grade report came out. Then he ‘didn’t know what happened’ :rolleyes:</p>
<p>He had a great year senior year of high school when he realized there was a correlation between grades and college admissions. :rolleyes: X2</p>
<p>Also borderline ADD (he was tested) but he was not treated with meds.</p>
<p>I am hopeful he did well since he was in a dorm with pretty much hardworking fellow engineering majors.</p>
<p>The Bs are not a problem for a first-semester freshman.</p>
<p>The C could be if the course is a prerequisite for the student’s intended major. At some colleges, students may be required to have a B or better (or B minus or better) in all of the prerequisite courses in order to be admitted to a major.</p>
<p>I want to know why there’s so much discussion about grade inflation and “the average grade is A” when my kids get a smattering of Bs. I know they work hard, always go to class, do their reading (before class and after), and complete homework assignments on time. I suppose the real determinating factor is the TA, but I’m not so sure that’s a good thing.</p>
<p>^Not a judgement on your kids at all, but just because a student ‘works hard’ doesn’t mean they will get the top grades available. I teach in a difficult-to-get-into program, most students are ‘good students’ yet most do not get the highest grade available. Some kids really just grasp material a lot more fluidly and easily than others, some work more effectively but less hours. I have a handful right now saying “I don’t know why I didn’t do well on the final because I really studied and thought I did well…” but they truly just did not get the material at the level necessary. </p>
<p>This is a lovely website about grade inflation. It speaks volumes. gradeinflation.com</p>