If you kid is studying at Williams/Amherst/Pomona/Swarthmore/Wellesley/Bowdoin now,

[Anonymous]

What are their experiences like? I have one at one of these schools and she has been extremely busy with assignments and stuff. She was a self-driven, top student in high school with excellent academic records. She hasn't decided on her major yet. This semester she selected a course in philosophy, economics, environmental studies, and a seminar course. What she didn't expect is the amount of reading and writing required for each class. She sleeps maybe 6 hours a night or less during the week. She studies on weekends. She reads while doing laundry. She made quite a few friends, likes many of her teachers, enjoys campus events and a campus job. Her grades are fine, but she has to work so very, very hard I have to watch out for burnout. What are your kids' experience like? Any thoughts or advice? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

That’s what it’s like at all of the top liberal arts colleges (including a number of schools you didn’t list- in other words, even when you get past the top 5 or so the schools it’s still an intense experience).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That’s what it’s like at all of the top liberal arts colleges (including a number of schools you didn’t list- in other words, even when you get past the top 5 or so the schools it’s still an intense experience).

Yes that's what I meant to ask, but these are the top LAC names off the top of my head. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Not my kid but a few years ago a neighbor's kid who was a superstar at our strong public (not famous, but competitive culture) went to Williams and was blown away by how much more intense it was than high school. Not just the workload but the overall competitive environment, I don't think he was expecting that.

[Anonymous]

Yes, very common experience.

This is why it's important to have the experience in high school of "lots of hard work to do, no free time". Otherwise college is a huge shock.

[Anonymous]

I have one child at Wellesley. Another went to Pomona a few years ago. DD is definitely having the kind of experience you're mentioning in your comment, and it seems to be the common narrative. DS intentionally chose a well-balanced life at Pomona; you could make it extremely rigorous if you wanted, but it's definitely more amenable to setting your own expectations. YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Definitely the case at swarthmore

[Anonymous]

I went to a big three private high school and then one of those colleges. The big three was way harder in terms of workload and time management.

I worked hard in college. I probably studied, I don't know, maybe eight hours a day, more during exams. But time management was not an issue because I only had four classes and I was neither work study nor an athlete. So I had PLENTY of time to get work done. And I got WAY more sleep than in high school.

I feel like there is something miss here from what you are saying. Did your daughter go to a high school where she only had a couple hours of homework a night? Or did her high school not prepare her well for college level week? Or is she an athlete or have a work study job? She should have plenty of time to get her work done and still sleep 7 to 8 hours a night.

[Anonymous]

My daughter is a freshman at Bowdoin. She is definitely very busy and has a lot of work but she says “it’s nothing compared to junior year.”

[Anonymous]

Four classes, none of which are STEM, are typically not overwhelming. My guess is that your dd’s high school was not particularly rigorous and it will take her a a semester or two to catch up, just be patient and support her, she’ll figure it out.

[Anonymous]

I think the school may make a difference here. My freshman is super busy trying out all kinds of activities and clubs in addition to keeping up with all kinds of classes. In his case, it seems like a well-balanced life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to a big three private high school and then one of those colleges. The big three was way harder in terms of workload and time management.

I worked hard in college. I probably studied, I don't know, maybe eight hours a day, more during exams. But time management was not an issue because I only had four classes and I was neither work study nor an athlete. So I had PLENTY of time to get work done. And I got WAY more sleep than in high school.

I feel like there is something miss here from what you are saying. Did your daughter go to a high school where she only had a couple hours of homework a night? Or did her high school not prepare her well for college level week? Or is she an athlete or have a work study job? She should have plenty of time to get her work done and still sleep 7 to 8 hours a night.

I really wish people would post their age when they do personal narratives. If you're say, 30, maybe your high school and college experience is still relevant. Maybe.

[Anonymous]

DC went to big 3 and finds it super intense. Never a spare moment but also bc an athlete. Life consists of going to classes and practice and studying. Definitely not easier than big 3 as others claim. Workload is just as much if not more. Also not getting much sleep either. Maybe depends on major for those who claim it’s easier.

[Anonymous]

When the primary institutional role of the prof is to teach undergrads, there will probably be more graded assessments. And while there has been considerable grad inflation at the college level, it’s slightly less ridiculous than what has happened at the high school level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC went to big 3 and finds it super intense. Never a spare moment but also bc an athlete. Life consists of going to classes and practice and studying. Definitely not easier than big 3 as others claim. Workload is just as much if not more. Also not getting much sleep either. Maybe depends on major for those who claim it’s easier.

But she is an athlete. That takes up a lot of time.

Many who went to big three were in school from 8 to 330, then sports, then other activities at nights or on weekends. You get to college and if you aren't work study or an athlete or busy with some other extra currics, you have way more time. It's not so much that the academic standards are lower - they are not. It's that you have more time. That's probably not as true for your daughter since she is an athlete.