Q: My son is going away to college in August. I’m concerned that he won’t be as successful in college as he was in high school without anyone to encourage him to study and do his homework everyday. He got good grades in high school because I was there to help keep him on track. I also worry because my eldest son found himself on academic probation his first semester and eventually left the university because of his grades.
A: I believe that two of the main reasons of college failure are young adult’s lack of focus and the new found freedoms that come with campus living. New college students can be immature, unfocused and find being away from home their first chance to party. There is also a high correlation between underage drinking and college drop-out rates, especially in the first two years. If your teen begins experiencing challenges in the classroom or dorm room and does not feel comfortable talking to you, inform him that there’s a college counseling center for academic advisement that can also help with emotional issues. Before he leaves, set specific guidelines about what your expectations are of his college career. It’s important to discuss how many credits are to be taken a semester, your expectation of his class attendance, and what grade point average he should work to maintain. Following these guidelines will help your son better prepare for a smoother transition from life at home into the college experience. By avoiding problems such as poor grades and irresponsible behavior, he should have a higher likelihood for success.
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