| This is truly a worrisome situation, and unfortunately I speak from experience. If he were my child, I'd spend lots of time exploring with him exactly what happened. Did he sleep late and not attend classes; did he spend lots of time studying and preparing papers and still not do well; did he have great difficulties with just some of the work, and if so, which work and why? When you have a clear idea of what the problems are, you can tackle them.
As he is on academic probation, the Dean must have explained to him exactly what he needs to do to get off of probation. He and you must understand this and he must have a plan to bring up his grades. He must really be invested in this need for improvement in order to achieve it. I assume that you are assisting him with his college expenses, therefore you have a claim in how well he does.
It is difficult for a parent to set expectations for grades on individual assignments during a semester and impose consequences from afar. If he doesn't do what the school expects, they have a definite consequence, which is that they won't allow him to return. Many schools also have a requirement to maintain a certain gpa in your major in order to graduate. If he isn't fulfilling graduation requirements, he may not graduate, even if he doesn't flunk out. If he needs to go for a 5th year because of bad grades, and if you aren't able to swing that financially, he should know about that too.
Worst case scenario is that he goes back next year, doesn't improve and is barred from taking more classes, perhaps with a one-year off and show-the-school-how-you've-matured requirement.
I like the idea of taking a class or 2 at the local cc, with an eye to transfer in for credit, or just to give him some of his academic confidence back.
Finally, other possible reasons for a sudden drop in grades include excessive drug/alcohol use or the onset of mental illness. I truly hope that none of these are problems for your S. |