| Lost in Translation:
I have just found this thread and want to say how very very sorry I am about your husband and the rest of your family. What a very sad and stressful situation for you all, compounded by distance.
You did absolutely the right thing to contact the dean of students (or whoever). Most of the time, professors are very willing to cut some slack for students who are experiencing personal difficulties, knowing very well that they have to have an effect on academic performance. With her mind at ease over her scholarship, your D can concentrate on just doing what she can--it may not be what she would be capable of doing in ordinary times, but these are not ordinary times. She should not beat herself over a less than stellar performance. To put things in context, I had a terrible time in my first year in college, but managed to right myself sufficiently to be admitted to grad school later.
Like your D, I had a plane ticket available. It was very comforting to know that I could use it if I wanted to. Knowing that I had that escape hatch made it easier for me to concentrate on doing better one step at a time. I hope your D feels the same way.
Your whole family will be in my thoughts. |