<p>I admit that I wouldn’t want to have to read so many papers either, but students learning to do that kind of writing appears to be a strength of S’s LAC. What the professor had to read just for S was what the professor would have had to do if supervising a graduate thesis. I can’t imagine doing that for an entire class – even a small class of students – during a semester plus being department chair like his professor is!</p>
<p>I see why LACs are known for the strength of their teaching. </p>
<p>By comparison, theater students at the public university in my city have to write a 10-page paper for their senior projects. S will graduate with a portfolio that includes some extensive projects, including in his concentration – lighting design, so I hope that will put him ahead when it comes to getting tech jobs.</p>
<p>Nprthstarmom,
I have followed the stories of both of your sons over the years, as you have used those stories to try to help other CC members. Congratulations to your DS#2 on this wonderful accomplishment. Having three sons, I often have to contain myself and remember that many boys are late bloomers.</p>
<p>Congratulations Northstarmom. You’ve been giving great advice to people on this forum, and I wish you the best for your family and your son! My son is also somewhat of a late bloomer, so I understand where you are coming from. </p>
<p>Congrats, congrats. My underachieving sophomore in college is having a stellar year as well. After two slackers, what a breath of fresh air. It took him a while, but it is happening.</p>
<p>Outstanding, NSM!!! What an amazing accomplishment for your young man! Congratulations and good luck to your son in pursuing his dreams! He has worked hard for them!</p>
<p>Very happy for your son (and you too), NSM! I have also followed his story over the years. It must be a great feeling for you to see him so motivated at this college and to be applying himself now. He also had this potential and now he is truly working it! He has achieved a lot so far and seems to be on his way. I think that year off and also making him contribute to college has helped turn things around for him in a positive way. You must feel good that your strategies have had an effect on him. Lots to be proud of!</p>
<p>Northstarmom: I can relate. My daughter will graduate this weekend from a very good LAC in the Pacific Northwest. She had to write a 35-50 page thesis paper for her anthropology major. Writing papers has been her most dreaded academic assignment. In fact, she almost choose another major because she knew the thesis paper was required of the anthropology majors. Over the last 4 1/2 years she has dealt with depression, lack of direction and burn out. She finished the paper, presented to the faculty of the department and will graduate on Sunday. I think the paper ended up being around 40 pages. I read the 32 page version and was impressed and proud. Her very supportive LAC and thesis professor certainly had a lot to do with it. But she also is a late bloomer and has worked very hard for her grades. So congrats to you and your son and I will be one happy Mom this Mother’s Day!</p>
<p>Hats off to your daughter, Inquiringmind2! So wonderful to hear how she had the fortitude to stick with her major despite the challenge of writing a thesis. What are her post graduation plans?</p>
<p>This girl is very burned out on school and really wants to take a break and just live for a while. I am fine with that as she did have a very difficult time for a year or so with depression and took a semester off. She is possibly interested in teaching but since she never planned for that she would have to go back to school. Not in her immediate plans for sure. She teaches snowboarding so she will finish the season and then look for whatever job she can get for now. Never been very career oriented. Part of the reason we encouraged her to stick with school and graduate. Now she has more options, returning to school for a teaching credential is one but I don’t see that happening for a while. As long as she is healthy and happy and can pay much of her own way we are happy.</p>
<p>NSM, I just want to say how happy I am for you!! You really deserved to hear this news so much! Take some time to just gush with pride about what your son achieved!</p>