<p>Moltobene: thanks anyway… but we still can’t read these without a subscription;</p>
<p>the publics table comes up but when you try to see another one (or the original article) it asks for a subscription…</p>
<p>Some things to look for to evaluate quality of advising:</p>
<p>Some schools offer Freshman seminar classes, created to help students get off on the right foot. The classes I’ve seen are small and designed to help students understand how to “use” the college resources. They may be “disguised” as a core Humanities course and taught by a professor who understands working with new students. Nearly every liberal arts college we toured had such a program. While some may see this as a waste of a class if your child isn’t interested in the subject, but I think schools use this type of program to make sure that their students have the proper support and resources. </p>
<p>Check out other resources for freshman: CofC has an office dedicated to first year students (and a wonderful parents list serve) that offers all kinds of support, resources and programming. I get at least 2 or 3 e-mails everyday (and sometimes 25+ when the topic is controversial) from them, highlighting what’s happening on campus. (My s is a sophomore but I’m still on the list.) I’ve seen folks in this office go way, way out of their way to make sure students are safe and productive and parents (especially OOS) feel comfortable. (“Your plane arrives at 6 am and your dorm doesn’t open until 8 am on Sunday? Come drop off your bags in our office then go have a cup of coffee. We’ll make sure you have a safe place to leave them until you can get into your room.”) Say what you will about this college, but its employees understand customer service.</p>
<p>I get at least one e-mail every week from Hillel, outlining their events, too. </p>
<p>This week at the JSU:</p>
<p>All Week: </p>
<p>STUDENTS MAY REMAIN IN THE BUILDING ALL NIGHT, IF YOU DESIRE; HOWEVER YOU WILL NEED TO HERE BEFORE 9:00PM. Public Safety will be locking the front door at 9:00pm.</p>
<p>Wednesday, December 8th:
Last Meet to Eat of the semester! (And the last night of Chanukah!) 6-7:30 pm. Come for the food, stay for the friends.</p>
<p>Thursday, December 9th:
Freshmen Study Break at 9 pm! Studying got you down?
We’ll have board games, snacks, and coffee!</p>
<p>Friday, December 10th:
Relaxation Yoga: Free Yoga in the Library at 4 pm. Wear comfy clothes and bring your own mat if you have one! </p>
<p>5:45–Services and discussion
6:30–Chinese food (Please RSVP so we can know how many to order for!)</p>
<p>Take care!<br>
JSU/Hillel</p>
<p>Nice, stillnadine!
I have another question for posters on this thread: How important is it to you that your kids are within a reasonable distance to each other while in college and afterward, so that they can see each other without coming home to parents?
I did not know how important it was to me until it happened!</p>
<p>well, older daughter will be a senior when younger one is a freshman; I have already checked to make sure there are flights available for them to visit each other (if they decide to speak to each other ever again; big blow up over T’giving…for a change)…</p>
<p>levrim: I never even considered that issue. My kids were all over the place in college. The oldest was in New Orleans while her sister was in Ann Arbor. The oldest never visited the youngest in college, and the youngest went down for Mardi Gras one year and graduation, of course. Youngest son visited both for different reasons. Now that one is in New York, the visiting is sporadic, other than when they converge at home. With the advances in social networking, Skype, FB, texting and cell phone calls, these kids are just as involved in each other’s lives as if they lived next door. I guess proximity to each other is something I never considered. I have lived in different states from my two sisters for most of my adult life. I agree that it is much nicer when they live in the same city, as does my husband’s sister who lives 4 blocks away…now that’s really close.</p>
<p>On core classes/distribution requirements - I like these as long as there are many choices. I see nothing wrong with a non-math/science major being required to take 1 science class and 1 math class and so on. We were just talking about S2’s course selections for next year and the need for him to take calculus. It seems many kids in his on-level precalc class are not going to take calculus next year - they will drop math entirely or take a statistics/math modelling class. I told S2 that calculus is the gold standard when it come to applying to college - everyone takes English - but - for a “B” student in particular - taking calculus will make you stand out in terms of the rigor of your schedule. Unfortunately, our hs does not offer an 0n-level calculus class - so it will be honors - but I think he should do it. Most of the colleges on his list require freshmen to take calculus anyway - so better to have already had it in hs - be that much more prepared for the college class.</p>
<p>levirm - so funny you should bring up proximity between siblings - I do think about that. With S1 at Wake Forest and S2 serioulsy considering Elon - that would put them about 35 minutes apart - for one year anyway. I was thinking of how nice that would be in terms of us visiting them and going back and forth for breaks, etc. - plus they could get together when their teams play each other - it’s an interesting line of thought. Not a top consideration - but an interesting one.</p>
<p>stillnadine - thank you again for being the resource for all things College of Charleston. I love what I hear about this school and we are looking forward to our April visit.</p>
<p>Coastal Carolina - have heard a lot of good things from austinmtmom - whose D attends. She is not Jewish, however, so I do plan to call the school and get a little more info on Jewish life - in case this might work for someone.</p>
<p>ELON Update! Today I was talking to the friend whose nephew was transferring out of Elon. So, I asked where he was transferring to and (drum roll) he’s not. He has had a complete turnaround and is in love with the school! So, maybe just a little homesick in the beginning or whatever- go figure! Wanted to let you all know!</p>
<p>Re: siblings </p>
<p>At four years apart, my kids probably, hopefully will never attend the same school, at the same time. But my parents and sister live about 20 minutes away from my son. This has been a HUGE, unplanned benefit. He has lunch with them about twice a month and has really gotten to spend quality time with them. But the biggest bonus has been how much having him near by has meant to my parents. </p>
<p>RVM, I know I talk about CofC a lot but I think most schools can provide what that school offers. 'Cause, as they say, no matter where you go, there you are!</p>
<p>thanks all for great suggestions re: Freshman advising-- it’s way up my list of considerations now, and I’m glad to have a few avenues to investigate!</p>
<p>Rockville Mom: I think the Statistics course is the best course to take senior year HS. Stats is a foundation for Business, Economics, etc. and I think your son will find it a useful course. I would not pressure him to take honors Calculus unless he wants it. Why? I think first semester senior year grades are still important. Far better to get one or two AP courses in for college applications. Senioritis will probably set in by second semester. It is just not worth the pressure. I suggest you find out who is teaching honors Calculus. Is it a great teacher? Does your son want this class?</p>
<p>I think the schools pressure and stress the kids too much. I actually think APs plus some regular and easy classes (Photography, Art, Technology courses, Ceramics, etc.) is better-a practical balance of high and easy to keep up the GPA and get some college credits too.</p>
<p>Rockville Mom: I want to add–see if your son wants to take AP Psychology (one of the easier APs), particularly since he is interested in a Psych minor. This will add to the strength of your son’s college application. See if your school offers any Business related courses. Do not recommend AP English. Perhaps one of the AP history courses and/or AP Economics.</p>
<p>mdcissp - he is taking AP Pysch this year and loves it - this is where the interest in a psych minor started. Here’s a funny conversation from tonight - I checked Edline - and am so pleased to see he just got an A (an A!!!) on a major precalc unit test - bringing his average up to an 81. Which is fabulous - when you consider he had a D just a few weeks ago, So, I ask him:</p>
<p>Me: S2 - this is wonderful - how did you make such an improvement?
S2: I started working harder.
Me: Great - what motivated you to do so?
S2: I was afraid you were going to throw my Playstation out the window.</p>
<p>Really? Do I sound that scary?</p>
1 Like
<p>2flipper2 - I am so glad the student you have posted about is now happy at Elon. Really glad it worked out.</p>
<p>mdcissp - I do think statistics is a good idea - he is going to encounter that course whether he pursues business or psychology. I am becoming increasingly convinced, however, that my son’s erratic grades have a lot more to do with a lack of motivation than a lack of ability. I really see a pattern developing - a grade slides to a C or D - then he gets his tush in gear and brings it up to a B. I don’t know why he does this - is he doing this deliberately to push my buttons? I really don’t think so - just not like him. Is it some kind of game to him? I have yet to get a straight answer and I’m not sure he knows why he does it. Any theories?</p>
<p>But, he doesn’t have to finalize his course selection for a few weeks yet - so we’ll see how the rest of the semester goes. I still am leaning towards encouraging him to take the honors calculus class.</p>
<p>Just a quick note on the discussion of calculus vs. statistics, remember that most business programs require both. Sometimes it’s a good thing to take one or both over the summer before college at a local community college–it might be easier than the class at the four year school and still fulfill the requirement. Just be sure to check on the transferrability of the credits first, if that is important to your student. In any event, even if not transferable–at least the class will be easier the second time around.</p>
<p>RVM-my D was always in honors accelerated Math and did low A high B work. Tried AP Calculus and dropped it after 2 weeks. Just way too hard for her and she felt not worth bringing down her gpa. Already has 2 other AP courses and an honors course (for which she will take an AP exam)…so she felt it wasn’t worth it. She will take statistics in college. there will be no need for her to take Calculus! I never took it and am no worse for the wear!!</p>
<p>I don’t know how it is in anyone else’s school but in ours, the AP stats class is taught by a not so good teacher. For my son, the math teacher had a huge effect on how well he learns the subject and does in the class. He absolutely would have chosen stats over calculus if it wasn’t for the teacher.</p>
<p>Sign up for the honors Calculus and see how it goes. I still think Statistics is a good course. There is always drop and add when school starts. Ask if your school requires Calculus before taking AP Economics. Still think it is a good idea to have at least one or two APs next year, plus some easy classes to balance the work. Ceramics is a great class. Maybe something in the PE department? Just let your son take the lead for high interest courses. I think kids do better in classes of high interest. Does your school offer finance class? My son took this class and it was one of the best classes at his HS.</p>
<p>RVM: I’m glad to hear about your son’s grade improvement. I don’t think that he’s intentionally going up and down to drive you crazy. Maybe he still figuring out how hard he has to work to do well in this class. Kids mature a lot during high school.</p>
<p>In terms of Calc and Statistics, you might want to consider having him sign up for both classes. If one of them is too hard, he could drop it early in the year without being behind in the other class. If he can manage them both, he will have an easier time in college when he has to take the classes. A lot of kids repeat the same level of calc in college, so it would be helpful to have the HS class behind him. My daughter took GT calc (probably what your school calls honors). She had to work hard, but it was managable. It helped a lot when she took calc I in college.</p>
<p>I agree with others that difficulty of classes varies by teacher. Our school has a great AP stat teacher, so the class is very popular. The advance math kids think it’s really easy, and the honors math kids find it challenging, but not impossible.</p>
<p>I just realized that we don’t have to worry about registering for classes in January. It feels strange.</p>
<p>momjr - I was intrigued by your comment that he is still figuring out how hard he has to work to do well in a given class - now that sounds like him - determining the exact level of effort needed to maintain a B - and doing just that amount and not a dollop more. Very interesting theory. </p>
<p>Thanks for all of the input re calc and stats. Maybe he could do honors calc and the on-level statistics class - leaving the door open to drop calc if it is a disaster. I’ll see what he thinks of that idea. I asked him to pick one AP for next year and he came up with Human Geography - not what I would have selected - I would have suggested AP Economics or AP Stats - but if it interests him - perhaps he will put forth the extra effort required by an AP class - so it’s fine by me.</p>