<p>I am new here and randomly looked up this site after searching for the definitive answer as to my son who just does not like school -- period. He floated thru h.s. - graduated last yr. He got accepted to a 4 yr state college in the business program. He has always had his own business since he was 12 in the midst of the educational process.
He earned almost enough by the time he was 17 to buy a previously owned 3 series BMW - dad helped just alittle with the difference. Anyway, the kid hates school. No matter what I try to do to make this degree event hurt less; he adhors the idea of school. He has ADD and is on meds for that issue. We bought a small house just off campus - which is about 45 min. from our home - so he could live there and be more comfortable than staying in a dorm. He moved in over the summer and has been remodeling it ever since then. Built in speakers, recessed lights, some tile work, paint -- all stuff he loves to do. College classes were put on back burner. He withdrew from one class, failed another, got a D in one and B in computers. About 1/2 way thru the semester, he gets into a serious funk and has to be seen by a psychiatric nurse practioner (she does his med checks for the ADD meds) -- but he has emergency session and she diagnoses him with clinical depression. So now he is on meds for the depression and sleeps alot.<br>
Well I am very sorry to make this so long, but I am trying to give alittle history and see if maybe anyone has experienced this with their college age child. He's really a great guy, honest, funny and smart. I feel very bad for him and have tried to make this whole thing easy for him. We let him change to an 18 month plan for an Associates in Business Mgt. He lasted the first wk on campus and said he couldn't take it anymore and to plse let him do online distance classes. I allowed him to do that, for spring semester; just so maybe he can get himself together alittle more and get with the program. Well now, it has been almost a month and he hasn't even signed onto any of the classes online. Now I know deep down, he doesn't even want to do them and I am at total loss.<br>
I know that everyone isn't cut out for college, but I don't know what else to do. I really think you need a degree in this day and age and he's going to be out of luck with this economy. He has been installing home theatre systems and sound systems for people. He is excellent with alot of electronic stuff and computers. He really wanted to take more computer classes and web design but they wouldn't allow him since he needed the pre-req's.
Do we give him the time off -- which it really looks like he is off anyway -- has anyone else come close to our experience and how has it worked out.
We have a daughter who is getting ready to graduate college and is applying to law school. She is totally opposite & doesn't understand why we just don't "force" the issue. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink..............
Any help or suggestions or thoughts would be greatly appreciated - Thanks alot</p>
<p>This should be posted in the Parents forum.</p>