DD at Columbia. Overall doing well. Enjoying classes but challenged by the workload (specifically the volume of reading for the Core lit class, though it's her fave). Great roommate. Enjoying the city. Involved in a fall play. Seems to have a nice circle of friends.

My freshman struggled a lot at first at UVA but now is doing really well. She arrived knowing no one (we are no longer in the DMV) and it was HARD for the first month. She is more on the introverted side but really treated meeting people like a full time job (went to a million club meetings, outings, groups, approached people at meals, followed up on contacts of friends and friends-of-friends) and somehow it all came together and she introduced people to each other and assembled an awesome group. Some of it was certainly dumb luck that they found each other. They drink on a rare occasion but aren't hard core partiers or fan of a social life that revolves around it.
Classes are good. She looks forward to getting deeper into her major.

My son is a sophomore and is enjoying college.

He is doing better than expected because he went out of state to a college where no one else he knew from his high school attended. Also, it is less highly ranked than some of the other well-known schools that has really competitive high school goes to, so there was a little bit of an ego bust there. But it still has really good program for his major and really challenging classes. He’s doing well academically and socially, and seems very happy.

He was also really wrapped up in his sport senior year, and I was worried because he wouldn’t be able to play his sport at the D1 level. But he is playing at the club level and kind of changing what athletics he does, and making new friends and new routines that way too.

He has surprised me with his ability to handle different adulting things on his own.

His sister is a HS senior, and I’m more concerned about her, because she doesn’t have the best executive function skills and she’s a little bit more of an introvert. Also, her high school is annoyingly snobby and competitive about what they considered to be. a “good” school, and I’m not sure she’s able to deflect that. We’ll see how it goes.

Having an intense first semester academically, which isn’t allowing him much time for fun. Does feel like he’s in the right place though, and his spring semester should be much better.

“is”, not it.

Anonymous wrote:Not really.

They are still really homesick, were pretty physically ill for two weeks, and feel like they are nonstop busy. They wish they had a "group" and are stressed by everyone already looking for off-campus housing for next year.

On the plus side, they are doing well in classes, have made some friends, and joined a few clubs.

Same, at UVA.

She hates it so far, and it struggling in her classes.

Daughter had a pretty good freshman year and is struggling this year - really enjoyed the big dorm freshman year and made a lot of friends, this year everyone is spread out all over campus and in Greek houses and apartments/houses. And she's a little tired of the Greek/football scene already which is unfortunate as she's living in a really intense sorority. Academically all is well.
College is a huge adjustment and kids who are really ready often have a "slump" later in college.

My kid wasn’t happy last year and decided to transfer to a smaller school. I think they’re happier academically and have plugged into research and networking opportunities outside of the classroom but they aren’t easily meeting people (again) which is a bummer and making it hard to find roommates for next year.

Yes, happy! Often too "busy" though better than bored I guess. Has been sick a lot, not always eating as much or as well (dining hall food not good apparently) but has found good friends and seems at home there. Relieved.

Yes, first year student is very happy. Has a good friend group, got an on campus job, started a new club sport, joined an active club, doing well in classes. Is busy and needs more sleep, because she is overcommitted.

Both of mine had a rough freshman year but sophomore year was much better and were really happy junior year (one current junior, one recent grad)

Anonymous wrote:Yes!
She chose to go to uni in the UK. She’s spending this week (a reading week) in Florence & Rome. What’s not to love?!

Mine went to Ireland and is loving it too. Reading week in Madrid and Seville.

Our kid couldn't wait to start college and is having a great time. We accept that they were "done" with high school a year ago and were miserable for much of the last year at home. Getting out of the family house and moving 2500 miles away was just the ticket.

Yes, much happier than in HS. Loving all the clubs and social activities. Still learning how to study effectively for the more difficult exams (went to a less rigorous school for kids with learning disabilities).

Anonymous wrote:Not really. Overwhelmed by the party scene, thinks classes are easy (after attending a rigorous private but the college doesn’t take APs, so basically retaking the equivalent of AP Calc and AP Chem, which he aced the first time). Too much free time after being constantly busy in high school. A friend group and a job would fix a lot of his problems! I’m worried and even a little sad for him but have to just wait and see.

Did the school not have a math placement test? I'm concerned about this for my HS Jr.