Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New poster. New question. How did freshman first semester go for everyone’s kids? Do they like their college , roommate, dorm mates? Get involved socially at all? My kid says he likes his college, likes his roommate, classes, joined an intramural sport but I get the sense (I try not to pry) that he stays in his dorm room a lot. Of course I’m glad he didn’t go crazy with parties, etc but I hope the kid starts having some sort of college fun times soon. I don’t say too much and I know it was a transition, but am hoping he gets a bit more adventurous in future semesters. Joining a few more clubs, exploring the area, etc. He’s doing great so I really do keep my mouth shut ! Hope everyone’s kids are happy and adjusted well at their school.

This is my DC. They got 4.0, so I can't complain . They care about their grades, but I told DC to also have a bit of fun and socialize more. They tried a couple of clubs, but they said it was boring. They like one or two social clubs, and they do have friends; they are able to find someone to sit with in the dining hall most of the time.

I also hope they get more adventurous later, but not too too adventurous.

Mine too - 4.0 but even less participation than the two PPs describe. They said they have free time on top of getting those grades so maybe they will use second semester to broaden out a bit....if not socially, then find a job or research position. Time will tell but I hope they find a way to do more than just school. There are so many unique college opportunities out there. But it's not my life to live, it's theirs.

Anonymous wrote:I'm a college professor with a MCPS magnet kid.

In high school I suspect my kid will have a 4.0ish. Their first semester freshman GPA is shaping up to be an unweighted 4.0 (there will be a few B+A=A grades).

If they get to college and pull a 3.6 average across all 4 years that is a success to me.

Honestly, people. Get a grip.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
My freshman said 3.6. We're not that thrilled either, because we're used to the straight As of MCPS. We reminded him that the study abroad program he wants is very competitive.

With OP and answers like this - it's no wonder kids have such poor mental health these days. My kid had a 4.0, and that's great, but I'd be just as happy with 3.6. Maybe they had straight A's in HS because they weren't challenged enough.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New poster. New question. How did freshman first semester go for everyone’s kids? Do they like their college , roommate, dorm mates? Get involved socially at all? My kid says he likes his college, likes his roommate, classes, joined an intramural sport but I get the sense (I try not to pry) that he stays in his dorm room a lot. Of course I’m glad he didn’t go crazy with parties, etc but I hope the kid starts having some sort of college fun times soon. I don’t say too much and I know it was a transition, but am hoping he gets a bit more adventurous in future semesters. Joining a few more clubs, exploring the area, etc. He’s doing great so I really do keep my mouth shut ! Hope everyone’s kids are happy and adjusted well at their school.

This is my DC. They got 4.0, so I can't complain . They care about their grades, but I told DC to also have a bit of fun and socialize more. They tried a couple of clubs, but they said it was boring. They like one or two social clubs, and they do have friends; they are able to find someone to sit with in the dining hall most of the time.

I also hope they get more adventurous later, but not too too adventurous.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. He is in CS.
I am disappointed about the 3.6 due to the lack of effort and motivation.
The first semester is not challenging, with many similar courses from HS. He sleeps all day, skips most classes, switched to minor instead of pursuing a double major, and now wants to drop the minor and reduce his course load.
He was in magnet with top scores and gpa, is definitely capable of doing much better.
In his college 4.0 is attainable with a grade range of 85-100

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New poster. New question. How did freshman first semester go for everyone’s kids? Do they like their college , roommate, dorm mates? Get involved socially at all? My kid says he likes his college, likes his roommate, classes, joined an intramural sport but I get the sense (I try not to pry) that he stays in his dorm room a lot. Of course I’m glad he didn’t go crazy with parties, etc but I hope the kid starts having some sort of college fun times soon. I don’t say too much and I know it was a transition, but am hoping he gets a bit more adventurous in future semesters. Joining a few more clubs, exploring the area, etc. He’s doing great so I really do keep my mouth shut ! Hope everyone’s kids are happy and adjusted well at their school.

This is my DC. They got 4.0, so I can't complain . They care about their grades, but I told DC to also have a bit of fun and socialize more. They tried a couple of clubs, but they said it was boring. They like one or two social clubs, and they do have friends; they are able to find someone to sit with in the dining hall most of the time.

I also hope they get more adventurous later, but not too too adventurous.

Mine too - 4.0 but even less participation than the two PPs describe. They said they have free time on top of getting those grades so maybe they will use second semester to broaden out a bit....if not socially, then find a job or research position. Time will tell but I hope they find a way to do more than just school. There are so many unique college opportunities out there. But it's not my life to live, it's theirs.

You have to tell your kid that they need to significantly shift modes. Unless for some reason you/they are convinced they are heading for a PhD, the incremental effort to achieve that 4.0 vs. a 3.5 is a waste of time if they are not taking advantage of the social/business fraternities and other networking aspects of college. I realize it is hard because HS was heavily fixated on that 4.0...but that 4.0 won't do nearly as much in the working world as the social network you form in college.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New poster. New question. How did freshman first semester go for everyone’s kids? Do they like their college , roommate, dorm mates? Get involved socially at all? My kid says he likes his college, likes his roommate, classes, joined an intramural sport but I get the sense (I try not to pry) that he stays in his dorm room a lot. Of course I’m glad he didn’t go crazy with parties, etc but I hope the kid starts having some sort of college fun times soon. I don’t say too much and I know it was a transition, but am hoping he gets a bit more adventurous in future semesters. Joining a few more clubs, exploring the area, etc. He’s doing great so I really do keep my mouth shut ! Hope everyone’s kids are happy and adjusted well at their school.

This is my DC. They got 4.0, so I can't complain . They care about their grades, but I told DC to also have a bit of fun and socialize more. They tried a couple of clubs, but they said it was boring. They like one or two social clubs, and they do have friends; they are able to find someone to sit with in the dining hall most of the time.

I also hope they get more adventurous later, but not too too adventurous.

Mine too - 4.0 but even less participation than the two PPs describe. They said they have free time on top of getting those grades so maybe they will use second semester to broaden out a bit....if not socially, then find a job or research position. Time will tell but I hope they find a way to do more than just school. There are so many unique college opportunities out there. But it's not my life to live, it's theirs.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. He is in CS.
I am disappointed about the 3.6 due to the lack of effort and motivation.
The first semester is not challenging, with many similar courses from HS. He sleeps all day, skips most classes, switched to minor instead of pursuing a double major, and now wants to drop the minor and reduce his course load.
He was in magnet with top scores and gpa, is definitely capable of doing much better.
In his college 4.0 is attainable with a grade range of 85-100

Anonymous wrote:OP here. He is in CS.
I am disappointed about the 3.6 due to the lack of effort and motivation.
The first semester is not challenging, with many similar courses from HS. He sleeps all day, skips most classes, switched to minor instead of pursuing a double major, and now wants to drop the minor and reduce his course load.
He was in magnet with top scores and gpa, is definitely capable of doing much better.
In his college 4.0 is attainable with a grade range of 85-100

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New poster. New question. How did freshman first semester go for everyone’s kids? Do they like their college , roommate, dorm mates? Get involved socially at all? My kid says he likes his college, likes his roommate, classes, joined an intramural sport but I get the sense (I try not to pry) that he stays in his dorm room a lot. Of course I’m glad he didn’t go crazy with parties, etc but I hope the kid starts having some sort of college fun times soon. I don’t say too much and I know it was a transition, but am hoping he gets a bit more adventurous in future semesters. Joining a few more clubs, exploring the area, etc. He’s doing great so I really do keep my mouth shut ! Hope everyone’s kids are happy and adjusted well at their school.

This is my DC. They got 4.0, so I can't complain . They care about their grades, but I told DC to also have a bit of fun and socialize more. They tried a couple of clubs, but they said it was boring. They like one or two social clubs, and they do have friends; they are able to find someone to sit with in the dining hall most of the time.

I also hope they get more adventurous later, but not too too adventurous.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is my college freshman’s first semester GPA?
IDK, and ideally I plan to keep it that way.

I don't want to know what your kid's GPA is, but you should probably want to know, if you're paying for it.

+1 seriously

Maybe those types of parents have a ton of money, great connections, so they don't care what GPA their kid has.

+2 I asked for the first couple semesters. Now my oldest is a junior and I know he's on top of it so I don't ask. For my younger, a freshman, I had assumed she was doing fine because all I heard was this semester's classes were too boring/easy (she couldn't place out of some classes she had done AP/IB) but we also looked at the specific GPA because I was helping her with a resume.

As for how it is overall, she's doing fine. Likes her school (a mid-range LAC) but doesn't love it, in part because 1st semester wasn't challenging but it will step up a lot next semester. LOVES her roommate, they are BFFs and plan to live together next year. Enjoys one EC (band) but a little frustrated that it conflicts with some other things she wants to try so she'll have to figure that out next semester. Beyond the roommate BFF has a wider group she hangs out with but doesn't really feel that they are quite her people. I expect she'll find those as she takes more classes, tries more ECs. Main complaints are crappy dorm bathrooms and the food is so-so. Overall, content with her choice.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
My freshman said 3.6. We're not that thrilled either, because we're used to the straight As of MCPS. We reminded him that the study abroad program he wants is very competitive.

With OP and answers like this - it's no wonder kids have such poor mental health these days. My kid had a 4.0, and that's great, but I'd be just as happy with 3.6. Maybe they had straight A's in HS because they weren't challenged enough.

PP you responded to. My son has autism and ADHD and we've had to be extremely supportive (as in, tutors and executive functioning coaches) to get him into college. This is why we're a bit worried that without his support system, grades are slipping. He has accommodations from the disability office, but they're understandably more hands-off than the system he had last year. On the other hand, maybe we should be thrilled his grades haven't slipped more! Let's just say we hope that this is just the transition to college, and not an indication that it's going downhill from now on.

You can't know in advance who has students with special needs and who doesn't, but please don't blame poor mental health on parenting. Some of us have it GENETICALLY, and we'd give anything to not have to deal with that.