<p>My first thought after reading this is bring him home. Going away to school is so hard. Obviously he has the brains and the drive to get grades, but it seems like adjusting to life away from home is too many things at once. </p>
<p>Consider all that he has going on. He is away from home. That means away from parents that likely did a lot for him while he was there. Did you give him reminders about finishing projects or just to help him be sure that he completed all of his home work? Did you do the laundry sometimes and make dinner regularly? He is not just adjusting to college level classes but to being an independent person as well. Without parents there to nag or even to talk to.</p>
<p>There is absolutely nothing wrong with spending some time at a community college or even attending a university while living at home. In fact it is the smartest way for any young high school grad to get going with their college education. It certainly doesn’t mean that he can’t transfer to another school away from home after he has those first two years done.</p>
<p>So many kids go away to school and fail. It is incredibly common. By taking him out and bringing him home you will be saving him from actually failing, and probably save you some money also. The possible ADD or ADHD issue is not even something that I would worry over immediately. Get him home and back in his comfort zone, and then see how he does.</p>
I really question this claim. I think that there are hundreds thousands if not millions of college students and graduates that would disagree and are very happy that they didn’t go to a local or community college.</p>
<p>I can’t comment on the medical side (I am not a doctor) but I can provide you with some thoughts re. possible path forward. I am an engineer and have a son who is about to graduate with engineering degree. Reading your original post, I think the problem is combination of many “smaller” issues. Some of the questions you and your son should be asking are:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Do I have to major in engineering? Engineering is not for everyone. It doesn’t mean your son is not smart, it just means your son is probably not “wired” for engineering. If you struggle as a freshman with basic math, physics, and chem, (most likely) you will struggle mightly as you move up. It will not get any easier. </p></li>
<li><p>5 courses are too heavy for 1st semester of freshman year. Combine heavy workload with less than perfect org skills and time management skills, you are asking for trouble.</p></li>
<li><p>tell him to go seek help with school admin people (as some people suggested here). It doesn’t hurt. May be you can ask them if there’s a way to “wipe-out” his first semester record pending he meets established corrective measures. </p></li>
<li><p>If he can commute from home, consider bring him home until he gets used to college life</p></li>
<li><p>Ask him to take may be 3 courses the second semester so he can get some confidence back. </p></li>
</ul>