<p>Since my D does not read this I can safely vent.
My D scheduled a class with a professor that seems not to care. Out of 12 sections this professor is the only one that has not chosen a text. I buy the books so I have been going on-line to order.
About 10 days ago my D e-mailed the prof and asked when she would have the book made available. The reply was that she was going over the syllabus and would let her know soon. Nothing yet.
I checked that rating web site- overwhelmingly the remarks say "teacher does not care", "puts no effort into the class" etc.
It bothers me- both the attitude of the prof. and my D for picking the class. She aware of the teachers reputation.</p>
<p>This is what add-drop is for. </p>
<p>Your daughter could see whether any of the other 11 sections has openings and fits into her schedule. If not, she could consider taking a different course this semester and taking the course in question in a different semester, with a different professor.</p>
<p>I would also say you are micromanaging a bit. I don’t think we get to vote about those college classes and teachers.</p>
<p>And FWIW: I am often late with texts, but I am a very committed teacher and my classes are awesome. I just spend a lot of time refining my courses. Usually the most disgruntled students write comments; the satisfied folks don’t bother.</p>
<p>Actually mythmom- I am microing but not managing. My D is unaware of my vent.</p>
<p>I agree with you about the disgruntled students but used properly these rating web sites provide decent information.</p>
<p>Since her class starts very soon when should the book be made available?</p>
<p>Marian- I doubt D will drop she will just deal with it. I believe she picked the course only because 2 friends also could fit it in their schedule. She had better options. Since I am only microing and not managing I remind her why she is taking courses and then bite my tongue.</p>
<p>I would ask your daughter why she picked that professor just to get her thought process. She may have a very legit reason in doing so - scheduling conflict, she needs it for her next semester’s course. My daughter had a prof that could barely speak English. She wasn’t getting much out of the class, but it was a pre-requisite for the next class, and other sections didn’t fit in her schedule.</p>
<p>Yeah - why are you buying her text books?</p>
<p>oldfort- we saved enough in her 529 to pay for everything. I do all the paying since I control the account.</p>
<p>Do all the other 11 sections use different textbooks? If the other 11 use the same book, that would simplify matters.</p>
<p>Maybe the teacher doesn’t use a textbook…I had a constitutional law professor who didn’t.</p>
<p>ellen - the other 11 sections use 4 or 5 other texts between them. My D says if the teacher does not use a book it would say book not required for course when you go to order. She has one class like that.</p>
<p>Hmmm, not exactly a go-to text in that department, is there?</p>
<p>It is an Intro course. Should there be a go to text for Intro courses?</p>
<p>For our math and science ones, there were. What class is it, if you don’t mind me asking?</p>
<p>Psychology</p>
<p>This vent is really about my D picking the course for a poor reason. The school can deal with the teacher if necessary.</p>
<p>Then the text could be anything.</p>
<p>Back in the stone age, when I went to college, we didn’t get our book list until the first day of class. Stop worrying about the book(s).</p>
<p>But, keep an eye peeled about the professor.</p>
<p>Well, there must be some reason she picked that section. It probably fit the best into her schedule and she figured how bad could an intro class be. I guess she will soon find out…</p>
<p>DD sometimes waits until the class starts anyhow to get books. She has found that sometimes they are optional, sometimes they have changed. Sometimes she can borrow one from someone else who took the class after she gets back on campus. It is not a disaster to have to go to the library or borrow one for a few days.</p>
<p>I don’t micromanage my D either, but I do pay for the books. And I can tell you that when she took her psych class, if she bought the book the first day of class it was $180. If she bought it used at the bookstore it was still $159. Knowing ahead of the game, I got it new on Amazon for under 50. Sorry, but in my house, a savings of $130 on a new unmarked, unhighlighted book is important. Multiply that by 5-6 courses with labs, and it can save us $600+ a term. </p>
<p>I get where you are coming from tom1944. When mom/dad had a college account or a 529 etc, I think it behooves us to get the best bang for our buck. My D worked hard this summer to pay for certain expenses. But whether it is her money or mine, we look for saving money buying books. </p>
<p>And I agree, D will pick a schedule because she can sleep in, or because there are friends taking a certain subject. She will live and learn. But I agree our D’s can live and learn while we save money on ridiculously priced text books.</p>
<p>Well as a parent who has seen one through college and is half way through the other and a college prof I do think this is micromanaging.</p>
<p>I had no idea about their books. I paid for them, but gave the kids money in their account.</p>
<p>I do think this is over-involvement with the process.</p>
<p>Just my opinion. Feel free to disregard, as I suspect you will. (Not meant snarky-- realize that sounds snarky. I just mean your philosophy is different. I respect that.)</p>
<p>And I didn’t think you shared this rant with your D. However, I really had no involvement with any of their classes except to listen to their experiences.</p>
<p>My D is going off to London for a Masters at King’s, and I am very gratified at the level of independence she has achieved.</p>
<p>And I know I’m sounding like an opinionated know-it-all, but this post struck a chord, and I shared an alternate point-of-view.</p>
<p>I am sorry if offensive. I don’t mean to be.</p>
<p>Even if you wait for the first day you can use Amazon. It gets there fast enough and she just shared, borrowed or went to the library until it arrived. Most profs gave a week. It was cheaper than buying a book not needed.</p>
<p>I ordered S2’s books online a couple of weeks ago. I’m not working this summer so had time search for good deals. He is a soph. A lot of $$ was spent at the sch. bookstore last year. He bought used whenever available and did borrow a book from a suitemate for one class. We are full pay. I didn’t do it to manage him. I did it to save $$$ in the savings acct. If it’s wrong, so be it. I saved a lot of money and that’s the bottom line with us.</p>
<p>re class selection: S2 changed his schedule last week from a class with good teacher reviews to another section where reviews were mixed. The reason?? The one he changed to started two hours later in the day allowing him more sleep. The class he dropped started at noon! I thought it ridiculous but kept my mouth shut</p>
<p>While I agree w/ Mythmom and others that we all need to be careful not to be “helicopter parents”, I agree w/ sunnyflorida and Packmom that it’s perfectly reasonable for the parent who has time (and/or who may well be more experienced at finding online bargains) to shop around and try to save money on those ridiculously overpriced textbooks (so outrageous that there was even a Congressional hearing or somesuch on the topic a few years back - we are being egregiously ripped off by these publishers!). </p>
<p>We’re not just talking a few bucks here – hundreds and hundreds of dollars can be saved with careful shopping.
Also, a newbie freshman may not be savvy enough, or too shy, to ask the prof if an earlier edition of the book can be used – this can lead to a HUGE savings.</p>