<p>Oh dear. The comments about heavy schedules are reinforcing my concerns.</p>
<p>My son, a freshman in engineering, has 3 lab courses and a writing course this semester. Looking at his schedule, I thought it was absurd and unreasonable. I was certain that he had a made a mistake (registration was done on-line over the summer). But when I asked an advisor at a parents' meeting during move-in, I was assured that it was "Not unusual for a freshman in the engineering school." Yikes.</p>
<p>I know he is extremely busy (he is also involved in a couple of ECs). I imagine he is stressed. And he internalizes things like that, so we won't hear much about it. He says he's too busy to communicate much, but I've told him we expect to hear from him at least once a week....I'm sure he can manage that!</p>
<p>Is this typical of all engineering programs?</p>
<p>My S is also a freshman engineer & is taking Calculus, a writing course, a course accompanying the writing course, intro to engineering & perhaps one other course. He registered after speaking in person with an advisor at Orientation that was done in our state in May. There are discussion sections for each of his courses but no labs. I believe next semester, he'll have physics, which has a lab. Not sure what is "normal," but if the school says his schedule is "normal" for engineers at their school, it must be. I know my son's schedule is "normal" for his school & most of his peers are in most of his classes (tho some chose a different class to go with their writing course).</p>
<p>At the U my son is attending, they try to help the kids have a good transition from HS to college & want all of them to succeed for the 1st semester & 1st year before the courses get tougher. They also want to give them more flexibility, in case so most of the courses will apply elsewhere if they decide they don't really WANT to be engineers after all. If your S or you have concerns, I'd discuss it further & be sure to have him speak with an advisor BEFORE the drop/add day.</p>
<p>If what is bothering her is ROTC then she needs to drop it in my opinion. And if you/child cannot afford not to then you need to find a less expensive college.</p>
<p>backhandgrip....The ROTC is not what is bothering her. Her sinus infection is what was bothering her. And we are not going to find a less expensive college. She is happy where she is at. Told me yesterday she couldn't have picked a more suitable college. Apparently, you did not read my update. "D" was not feeling like herself because of the sinus infection. I have spoken to her every morning since, and she is doing wonderfully. In fact, the one thing that is keeping her going is the AROTC. She feels she has a "tight knit" family with them. I'm happy for her.</p>
<p>momoney77...so glad to hear things are falling into place for your D. My NROTC S feels the same way about his unit. He is a squad leader this year and when we were discussing his missing a day of classes to make a quick trip home to take care of some business , he quickly said I can't miss any Navy,ever. He lives for that stuff. Good Luck to your D.</p>
<p>PackMom--Thanks for your support. Whether it's the NROTC or ARTOC, they sure keep those kids busy, don't they? I'm happy to hear your son is doing well and enjoys it. Good luck to him. I have the utmost respect for kids like ours. :) I don't think I could have handled it at that age (or any age).....</p>
<p>could she have algeries to something in her new room, mold anywhere, something else that is making it worse</p>
<p>does she feel better in the morning, or does she wake up feeling worse</p>
<p>sometimes we see something as an infection, and it may be a really bad allergy- new environment, rugs, cleaning solvents, moldy stuff, new comforters</p>
<p>I discovered that I have an allergy to either carpets or carpet cleaners...and new carpets, don't get me started</p>
<p>My friend's D also tried ROTC when she began college at UVa. She really liked the kids but decided ROTC wasn't for her. She still kept her friendships with those kids & was glad she had tried it. She felt knowing them helped her have a "niche" at an otherwise HUGE school.</p>
<p>ROTC isn't an option for my kids with the chronic health challenges, but it IS a great option for the right students & I've heard the kids really get close.</p>
<p>Oh yeah, about sinus infections--if you can nail down what triggers sinus issues, it really can reduce the number & severity of sinus problems. Our family is very sensitive to so many things, including things in the air, scents, mold, dust, mites, etc. Using encasings for bedding (pillows, mattress, box spring, even comforters has made a HUGE difference & helped my kids avoid the need for allergy shots. They have inexpensive encasings at many stores, including WalMart, Sears, and on-line. Be sure that if you do try them, you buy encasings that are meant to keep out the dust mites rather than just protect the bedding--read the labels carefully.</p>
<p>If she is wakng up with a headache, I would really consider an allergy...to me it feel like a bad cold, I get sore throat, my eyes hurt, i don't sleep well, i cough, but it is how my body reacts to allergians. One of my D gets sniffly at the same time, but not the bloggage, etc, I do</p>
<p>Is she in a totally new natural environment? new pollens, new times o year things bloom?</p>
<p>For us, in SF, its not the plants in the city, no, its the lovely things brought in from the country in the wind...and with the climate all wapper jawed, plants are blooming at odd times</p>
<p>Interesting last couple of posts. My "D" has all new bedding, foam matress pad, pillow etc. Perhaps that's what triggered the sinus infection. I think more than that, it was the air conditioning unit. Maybe it has an old filter or something. D and her roomie leave the air on at night and use their blankets, so it gets pretty cold. Again, I think she's out of the woods regarding the sinus issues because she sounds clear again. However, seeing as my sister works in a doctors office, I had her pick me up a few samples of that Biaxin anti-biotic everyone was raving about. Just in case she should get another one, she will have some medication on her. </p>
<p>Himom -- I agree with you that the ROTC is not for everyone. Better for her to have gotten out early than wait until its too late. At least she made some friends. You can never have enough of those.</p>
<p>Be sure she only takes antibiotics under medical supervision so she doesn't develop antiobiotic resistant infections. Glad your D is improving. It is true that ACs can harbor molds & other things that can trigger infections. It couldn't hurt for her & roomie to ask that the filter be replaced, citing her recent sinus infection (might not get done, but at least worth asking about & they MAY even do it).</p>
<p>My S doesn't have A/C in his dorm room & they sleep with the windows open & it's pretty comfortable, I believe. One of the reasons he didn't get a room with A/C was precisely because filters & A/Cs tend not to be that well maintained & therefore breed things that can trigger my son's allergies.</p>
<p>something to be concerned about then with airconditioner, is filter, etc, CLEAN because if it is not, this will just happen again</p>
<p>no harm in checking</p>
<p>and why is Air on a night? is it that hot? </p>
<p>this can work as a reminder, when checking into dorm room, look at heaters and filters, and AC units to see if they are clean...we all remember the convention from years ago, not to scare anyone, but should be checked</p>