<p>Happens every year. Much of the time its kids who are in shock from being unloaded and dumped off and all of a sudden its not mom’s cooking, not mom’s comforting, not the usual comforts of home, dorm drama sets in and out of control kids misbehaving. It does get better. Kids need to be encouraged to work through their problems, buckle down and study and find friends of the same feather…somewhere…in class, the library, the cafeteria, jogging, whatever. </p>
<p>I am also amazed at kids who pick schools without a serious examination of the social scene…they pick schools on prestige, and sometimes academics…without checking out the school before they commit…on its social situation and so forth. Sad.</p>
<p>But growing up is what this is all about. Unless its a horrific situation the college won’t remedy, then I recommend sticking it out a semester and giving your kid counseling on how to find happiness, find friends and how to grow up.</p>
<p>My kid had huge dorm drama, huge culture shock at her school…and we almost pulled the plug. She stuck it out and graduated Phi Beta Kappa in May 2011.</p>