<p>Gladmom, high school burn-out was one of my thoughts, too. Thanks for your imput.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the older was totally politically brainwashed. Still have to see about younger one. We keep on warning her to stay away, but it is too early to see.</p>
<p>toledo- I see nothing wrong with your son. He’s going to college for the academics and doing his job since you say he’s happy and has good grades. He probably did a lot in HS to fill his time but now has classes worth spending his time on. I sometimes think all of the extracurriculars are overrated for college. Down time is valuable- no need for it to be spent in organized activities. He probably rethought his frat plans because he is enjoying the social life where he lives and the people he spends time with are not into that scene. There is a lot of learning just by hanging out with classmates/dormmates from other areas. Theater at the college level is up many notches from that of HS- compare it to being a varsity HS athlete versus making the team in college. He may be working a lot harder at the academics than he needed to in HS and wants down time for spring break- unscheduled, demand free time to sleep in and veg out. I’ll bet your son doesn’t tell you how he spends his free time. My third year of college (senior standing) son gives us glimpses when he states things like his cold was so bad he couldn’t play basketball (nonintramurals) or the pizza served at the thus and such after class hours lecture has a branch in home town (I’ve noticed free food is a common “bribe” for activities). Clubs, et al are for the student’s interest, not to build a resume. When he is a couple of years into his school he’ll likely become involved in things associated with his major that will impact his post undergrad life.</p>
<p>My son is at a large public U and thriving. He’s always taken charge of his life and his chosen school fits his liberal, independent personality. I don’t notice huge changes, only an accumulation of the little things we all learn on the road to self sufficiency.</p>
<p>Wis, I’m still holding out for the club that involves his major, which was on his list of clubs to join at the start of school.</p>
<p>It’s just so hard to read posts about all these “blossoming” kids, while mine has returned to the “bud”.</p>
<p>S1…more of the same. He saw HS as an opportunity for social activities, with a little academic achievement thrown in. Able to pull down A s in AP and honors classes with minimal work, he spent most of his time with theater, chamber singers, student government, boy scouts, church choir and anything else that involved socializing.</p>
<p>Now a sophomore in college, he’s active in a fraternity (elected senior steward and responsible for this year’s pledge class)(running for an office on the fraternity’s national board), active in Student Government Association (ran for a rep position last year and running again this spring)(currently a member of the funding committee that distributes student activity funds to clubs and organizations), had a campus radio show last year, is president of an active club that he founded last year, and has participated in a slew of charitable activities including Habitat for Humanity and bikes/walks for various cancer organization. Sometimes we do wonder whether we are paying for an education or a volunteer, social life.</p>
<p>Toledo,
Learning how to relate well to the opposite sex, exploring relationships, and eventually finding a person to share one’s life with, is as important as any group activity. Marrying the right person and finding a career path are both critical to happiness.</p>
<p>I’d be delighted your son is enjoying this budding relationship, and doing so well academically.</p>
<p>What an interesting topic, and something I’ve thought about often since my kids became college freshmen. I have a son in a conservatory and a daughter at an LAC. These two were born 1 minute apart, but are worlds apart in temperment, personality, looks, etc…they share alot of common interests, but persue them in different ways. I’ve always been struck by the difference in them, even before they got to college.</p>
<p>My daughter has always been an amazingly organized diligent student, who was Val of her hs class. My son, was one of those kids who was disorganized, and tempermental, lol. Total opposites. Though, he did well in hs, and soared in the music classes, it was hard to know how this would all shake out, in the future. </p>
<p>For my kids, who will be graduating in May…I’ve seen my daughter continue on her “lifes plan”, but in college, she seemed to loosen up…to relax and take time to enjoy more things. She got involved in alot of different activities, including a sorority, much to everyones surprise!! My son, who used to be involved in everything under the sun in HS, but spread too thin, became extremely focused on his music…not that he wasn’t, but now he’s organized, and mature. I guess that is the greatest change I see in him. He has matured into a young man who knows where he wants to go, and is aware of the hurdles he’ll have to navigate to get there:) He hasn’t chosen an easy path, but I know he’s chosen the only path for him.</p>
<p>The greatest feeling of all as a parent, is to know that we were able to provide both of them with this “start”. I’m excited to watch where they go next…son off to grad school, and daughter into a job to gain work experience to get into Masters program for her chosen field. I’m proud of both of them.</p>
<p>To Toledo,</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry to much about how your son is doing:) My son doesn’t have any EC’s in college, lol. I think the adjustment was enough just to do well in his classes, and learn how to take care of his own life, etc. Having a girlfriend will take up alot of his free time, especially if this is one of his first. Thats all good stuff, and he is only a freshman…They change so much from one year to the next. And I’ve learned to try not to compare my kids with other peoples…though, its hard, lol. If your son sounds happy to you, you should trust that he really is. :)</p>
<p>It really is bittersweet. I am very proud of the fact D1 is so organized and is consulting me less and less, at the same time I really miss the days when I was the center of her world. She has a BF now and seem to rely on him more and more. I guess it’s all good.</p>
<p>My S is a junior, scheduled to graduate on-time in EE. He has been allowed to mature at his own pace, has found a good group of friends and developed interests we had never exposed him to (rockclimbing, e-shopping). This year, he’s even starting to expand his interests and asking me how to cook some of his favorite dishes. He has taken charge of decorating his apartment and finding their place to live next year, he and his sister have become closer and help each other out YEA! He’s not quite sure what he wants to do next but we can hardly wait!
D has just transferred in January & is a sophomore. She is pursuing her dream of fencing and also taking a cinema class. We love hearing about the new experiences she’s trying and are happy that she’s adjusted so well and overcome all she had to in getting where she is now.</p>