<p>Another factor is the level of preparation of students at the Directional U. In fact, the disparity may be larger than at a LAC or Top 30 U. Since the mission of many directionals is to provide an education to everyone, perhaps the student in question can find a tutor or take a “learn to study” class. </p>
<p>Expectations trip up many students and parents. Perhaps the student thought this class was going to be a breeze.</p>
<p>Update - apparently the S emailed the professor to say he felt the exam was “unfair” because there were problems different from those in the homework, and that he was offended by the “cut your losses” comment. Professor responded that if they needed more homework, he could accommodate and said that there were some students in the course who would either drop out or fail. S is unhinged, and unfortunately, friend is following suit. </p>
<p>I have judiciously suggested that perhaps he should drop and try a different professor next semester. Not necessarily because there is something wrong with this one, but being at loggerheads might not be productive. OTOH, sometimes “I’ll show you” can be motivating enough.</p>
<p>ETA: Friend a bit of a helicopter.</p>
<p>Realistically, any engineering major is usually considered to be a fairly difficult major, even at more selective schools. The corresponding engineering technology major may not be quite as tough in terms of the theoretical stuff, but it still is not going to be a “gut” major anywhere.</p>
<p>As mentioned in #41, how is the student’s level of preparation and motivation, including study skills? Perhaps the student’s motivation to study was previously enforced by helicopter parents while in high school, but is no longer externally enforced if the student is living away from helicopter parents at the university.</p>
<p>I know a student who had to leave a top-30 LAC for financial reasons and is now at a non-flagship state school. She feels very frustrated by the lack of rigor at her new school and by the quality of her classmates. She says it’s easier than high school and she did not attend a competitive high school.</p>
<p>^^^ And that is what I hear from those who drop down, though some are happy because they didn’t drop for financial reasons, but due to the top school being too difficult for them. For those who go up it’s the opposite.</p>
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<p>If he went to a school like ours, then his problem is that he was brought up to think a test would be exactly like a study guide they had a couple of days prior - with numbers changing (sometimes). Kids study (or memorize) the study guide and are good to go. They don’t really learn how to think and apply. It can be a sharp learning curve when they realize college seldom works that way. The “unfair” bit could work at our high school…</p>
<p>Many of you send your kids to top high schools. One must remember that not all high schools are that way. Statistically we rank right around the middle for schools in our state - meaning that half (or so) are worse.</p>
<p>Electronblue, is your friend in upper division courses?
What s the field?
Larger universities just by definition are going to have a broader range of courses than an expensive liberal arts college.
Reed didn’t have any geology courses for instance, so D was able to take them at a community college towards her degree.
Students at larger schools have a broader range of abilities especially before they get to the upper division courses. But it doesn’t mean they wont get there.
One of Ds friends took nine years after high school graduation to earn a BA.
Now he is is an engineer @ SpaceX
[SpaceX</a> ‘Dragon’ capsule reaches International Space Station - CNN.com](<a href=“http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/03/us/spacex-launch/index.html]SpaceX”>http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/03/us/spacex-launch/index.html)
And some students may prefer to attend courses with students who also were in the top% of their graduating class, thats a valid choice.
Id agree that it isn’t optimal to attend a course with students who are disinterested and a prof who is scattered. But that can happen anywhere. Researching courses and profs for your classes, pays off in the long run.</p>