Our freshman and the high school friends he keeps in touch with are all very happy from what we've heard. They all seem to be active in various activities at school too, like theater, clubs, music, and sports.

College sucks compared to back in the day. The control freaks (parents, government, administration) have completely stunted and ruined growing independent and strong. It’s psychotic and depressing.

I'm sorry your DC is struggling. I was talking to a friend who is a counselor, and she said a lot of students struggle in the first year, especially the first semester. I hope things get better. I'm sure this must be so hard.

Not sure about super happy, but happy and not regretting her choice. She'd make the same choice again. Has made 2 friends, as a quiet introvert she moves slower, which is all she feels she needs currently. Participates in clubs in which she feels comfy with friendly members.
Academically happy, as she figured out after 1. midterm how to adjust note taking and how to learn for classes effectively. likes all her classes and Professors and easy office hours. Got a job on campus that works out great.

Tere are so many adjustments they all go thru in the first semester.

I blame the parents.

My DS is at a large OOS school and is very happy, but I know from the parent facebook page that some students are struggling.

My college freshman is very happy. Enjoys her classes and met a nice group of friends.

Anonymous wrote:DC is a first year at a top 20 school. His experience so far has been mixed. I am struck by how many of his high school peers are having likewise mixed experiences so far. They are doing well academically but are hit with feelings of ennui. This cohort has been through so much — high school sophomore year interrupted mid-year, a Covid induced discontinuous high school junior year and crazy college application process high school senior year. These kids are so confused now in their first year of college. The sense I get is that these kids just lost a big chunk of their childhood, as the formative high school years were kind of ripped away from them. Talk of transferring, pausing education and going on cross country camping trips abound. Anyone seeing this / feeling this from this cohort of kids? I struggle to offer words of encouragement, namely that it will all sort itself out.

Yep. My kid is mixed. He and his friends also expressed a lot of unconventional dreams/ideas over the Thanksgiving break. It is not that he doesn't like college, but some things have taken him by surprise. He went states away to a totally new environment so some of it is culture shock. He just changed his major starting next semester so that has helped. He was not inspired by his current one. I think this is somewhat normal for freshmen. He did say that everyone is struggling in math and thinks that could be covid-related. He has arranged roommates and housing for next year this week so at least the talk of transferring has died down. There is definitely some ennui.

Supper happy dc19

Super happy kid here.

That pie eating contest metaphor is spot on, signed OP.

Sounds like they are just realizing they won a pie eating contest where the prize was more pie.

DS is having a great time at a T15, academically and socially. Is swamped with work at times sure, but was super excited to return after Thanksgiving.

My DC at a SLAC is extremely happy. Loves most classes except one and has found a great group of friends and is involved in a sport.

DC is a first year at a top 20 school. His experience so far has been mixed. I am struck by how many of his high school peers are having likewise mixed experiences so far. They are doing well academically but are hit with feelings of ennui. This cohort has been through so much — high school sophomore year interrupted mid-year, a Covid induced discontinuous high school junior year and crazy college application process high school senior year. These kids are so confused now in their first year of college. The sense I get is that these kids just lost a big chunk of their childhood, as the formative high school years were kind of ripped away from them. Talk of transferring, pausing education and going on cross country camping trips abound. Anyone seeing this / feeling this from this cohort of kids? I struggle to offer words of encouragement, namely that it will all sort itself out.