Boys- finding their path...

[Anonymous]

My son knew he was pre-med before he started college. He got to be in the room as a teen to see two siblings born, and that's how he decided.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son knew he was pre-med before he started college. He got to be in the room as a teen to see two siblings born, and that's how he decided.

I taught organic chemistry and about two-thirds of pre meds drop off that path. Most can't hack it. Don't hold your breath.

[Anonymous]

OP, as long as your son is NOT pushing back against this, "all his friends are talking about Business, Finance" encourage this, and/or IT, Computer Science. Do not pursue "Entrepreneur Studies/or something names similar". Fine to be an entrepreneur but better and more solid to not make it the major.

If, in the future, he can't hack Business, IT or CS ... then you have a question.

[Anonymous]

Encourage your son to go to a college where they don't have to declare a major until beginning of junior year

For some. Our DS was very lucky to be admitted right into his major. It was based on (yes, unweighted gpa from HS). It was very nice that he/and we knew he wouldn't get shut-out of the major.

[Anonymous]

No. DS and his friends are seniors and know what they want to do. DS has known for ever.

My DD is 12 and so far doesn't know. Which makes her a later bloomer than her brother.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son knew he was pre-med before he started college. He got to be in the room as a teen to see two siblings born, and that's how he decided.

I taught organic chemistry and about two-thirds of pre meds drop off that path. Most can't hack it. Don't hold your breath.

Ha my DD was pre med since she was on middle school. She used to take online surgical exams and actually get 60%+
With no training lol. Enter freshman year chemistry (not even orgo)… and the poor grade that came with it. Now a totally different path is in mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Boy/girl has nothing to do with it.

I don't think that's quite fair. Obviously it can apply to either but on the whole boys struggle more with finding direction

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People will disagree but there needs to be more emphasis on boys and finding their way. The number of men not attending college and not working is alarming.

Why is that? What happened to all of the boys? My husband claims it’s video games, but I doubt that is scientifically true (we are a gaming family, BTW, so I have no animosity toward gaming).

Males brains are not fully developed until they are 30 versus around 24/25 for females. Add in any ADHD/ADD/Anxiety/Depression and it will be later. So yes, there will be females that also are not "on their way", they are typically a lot more males in this position

Agree 100% - as a mom with boys and girls. I've had similar conversations with teachers. I don't think most people dispute this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Encourage your son to go to a college where they don't have to declare a major until beginning of junior year

For some. Our DS was very lucky to be admitted right into his major. It was based on (yes, unweighted gpa from HS). It was very nice that he/and we knew he wouldn't get shut-out of the major.

What if he wants to change majors? In many cases at schools like this (where people get shut out of majors), it is equally if not harder to switch majors. Given that 70% of college students change majors, it's important to be able to easily switch (with the obvious caveat if you do it too late, it may take an extra semester or two to graduate)

[Anonymous]

We told DS to pick something he enjoys, and focus on that as his intended major / career by 10th grade, so he could take classes / EC / internships to support it, with the caveat that if he decides once he gets to college he likes something else, he can definitely change majors. And also, after college, he can pursue different careers as well if his interests change or opportunities arise. TBH, I think it was a relief for him to "pick" something and have a focus. DH and I both had varied careers and ended up far from what we majored it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son knew he was pre-med before he started college. He got to be in the room as a teen to see two siblings born, and that's how he decided.

I taught organic chemistry and about two-thirds of pre meds drop off that path. Most can't hack it. Don't hold your breath.

He's finishing med school this spring, so ... I think his dreams are going to come true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seems like girls are better and faster picking what they want to study in College. At least that's what I've noticed from my friends' daughters.

I have a HS Junior who has not idea what to study in College. He has good grades takes Honors and a couple of APs, plays sports, etc. A regular kid. He says all his friends are talking about Business, Finance or Entrepreneur.

My husband is a Software Engineer and I work in Marketing, he takes IT, Marketing and some business electives but he doesn't seem interested enough to make it a career for himself.

What helped your college kid find their path?

When are most boys ready to pick a path?

What path did you College son picked?

I think highest tier students are as lost about career choice as the lowest tier, regardless of their gender. Ones who say they are sure tend to be of average intelligence even if they've good grades. A curious and intelligent mind rarely set on becoming an accountant or plastic surgeon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous[b wrote:]It seems like girls are better and faster picking what they want to study in College. [/b]At least that's what I've noticed from my friends' daughters.

I have a HS Junior who has not idea what to study in College. He has good grades takes Honors and a couple of APs, plays sports, etc. A regular kid. He says all his friends are talking about Business, Finance or Entrepreneur.

My husband is a Software Engineer and I work in Marketing, he takes IT, Marketing and some business electives but he doesn't seem interested enough to make it a career for himself.

What helped your college kid find their path?

When are most boys ready to pick a path?

What path did you College son picked?

Some are and some aren't but what difference does it make?

[Anonymous]

Not many understand what they want, they are going with what other wants or what they were exposed to. Thinking beyond that and accepting not being sure takes guts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People will disagree but there needs to be more emphasis on boys and finding their way. The number of men not attending college and not working is alarming.

Why is that? What happened to all of the boys? My husband claims it’s video games, but I doubt that is scientifically true (we are a gaming family, BTW, so I have no animosity toward gaming).

Males brains are not fully developed until they are 30 versus around 24/25 for females. Add in any ADHD/ADD/Anxiety/Depression and it will be later. So yes, there will be females that also are not "on their way", they are typically a lot more males in this position

This is not true and there is no data to support this.