My son is struggling academically in his Freshman Year....

Idzak said:
Chess could be a great move (pun intended) but clearly a one-on-one tutor could explain that calculus is really an interesting thing that happens when you look at small changes.
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Idzak. DD is just starting to connect that the majority of math wizards at school play chess. The invitation to play chess is a chance to talk "calculus." But to her credit, she has connected up with a local private university to get some tutoring - which is a first for her.

Midwest said:
My ds enlisted in the Navy. He hardly writes, but just sends an occasional picture of food from Japan posted on someone else's facebook. I get all the news 2nd hand. At least I know he is eating well. That is about as much as I know.
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And just an update to you all ... about four hours after I posted this comment, I got an email from my son after not hearing anything for 3 1/2 months. He is not on the forums... so I was surprised and delighted. And the "no news" was all good news. Last month he received a Blue Jacket award from his Command. (I have no idea what a Blue Jacket award means). Plus he shared three paragraphs of Japan travel adventures and of course, detailed explanations of his culinary dining experiences.
 
Midwest said:
Idzak said:
Chess could be a great move (pun intended) but clearly a one-on-one tutor could explain that calculus is really an interesting thing that happens when you look at small changes.
Click to expand...

Idzak. DD is just starting to connect that the majority of math wizards at school play chess. The invitation to play chess is a chance to talk "calculus." But to her credit, she has connected up with a local private university to get some tutoring - which is a first for her.

Midwest said:
My ds enlisted in the Navy. He hardly writes, but just sends an occasional picture of food from Japan posted on someone else's facebook. I get all the news 2nd hand. At least I know he is eating well. That is about as much as I know.
Click to expand...

And just an update to you all ... about four hours after I posted this comment, I got an email from my son after not hearing anything for 3 1/2 months. He is not on the forums... so I was surprised and delighted. And the "no news" was all good news. Last month he received a Blue Jacket award from his Command. (I have no idea what a Blue Jacket award means). Plus he shared three paragraphs of Japan travel adventures and of course, detailed explanations of his culinary dining experiences.
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A "Blue Jacket" is an enlisted Sailor, so a Blue Jacket Award would be an outstanding Sailor award. Think of it as an official pat on the back.
 
Took Calc in summer school during MBA (six weeks) so they could only teach you what was needed for the test and not a full semester. They don't call Calc and Chemistry Plebe Killers for nothing. They are hard courses but they will survive.
 
Wonderfulmom said:
How can nearly everyone fail a test? Doesn't that indicate that the instruction is not effective, or the tests are too difficult? Shouldn't it be a bell curve, at least?
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It is this way every year. For many of them, it's the first test they ever failed! While I have no real confirmation of this, I believe it's designed that way. They need to learn how to "do for themselves" and get the help they need. To realize they are no longer the "superstar" of their high school. Some realize the first year that they are not cut out for academy life and academy academics. And that's ok. It is a life that is not for everyone.

This is common in all of the SA's. Just read posts from other groups. Learning how to fail is a part of developing them into leaders. Sure there are those that master Chem and Calc from the start, but they are very few.
 
If he can't hack the Chem/Calculus then he should definitely reconsider his major or just drop out and go to a liberal art college.
 
P.S. After that, no more Math. He is struggling because in High School the teacher had a lot of grades. Not so at the Academy. Only 5 questions and different graders some grade it with partial credit, some grade the whole problem wrong if you miss 1 step.
 
His declared major is probably Engineering, but I am not sure if he will change that to Government or what...
 
Wonderfulmom said:
There's been light at the end of the tunnel. He thinks he can pass chem and his other classes. Calc he'll probably have to take over in the Spring and then take Calc II in the summer. I think he's going to be O.K.
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Wonderfulmom....hang in there: sounds like he's getting the hang of it. I know that summer classes can be a killer; however, the teachers know of the time constraints so they somehow slim down the syllabus and get right to the core. Hopefully, it'll work out! Happy Thanksgiving!
 
I've talked to many cadets that have great experiences over summer school. Although the pace is accelerated there are mitigating factors like less military obligations and a lightened overall course load. I'm not sure about the other summer classes, but the math department still runs a full Calculus II course but will often omit extra stuff such as projects and less relevant material.

It sounds crazy but I've had students that were government and management majors ask me if it were possible (and it isn't) that they could attend summer school.
 
OP; don't worry about it!

Worst thing you can do is add your own worries onto his own. It was a relief knowing no matter how I did at the Academy, my parents were happy as long as I was healthy and relatively happy.

Your son will be fine. I thought I was going to fail numerous times. Like everyone has mentioned, there are lots of support systems and they definitely look out for you.

Like I said, your son will be fine. If it's what he wants to do, he'll make it. However, and this might be a scary thought right now, but a good amount of my very close friends left the Academy, for a variety of reasons (Grades, conduct, voluntary resignation, to name a few).
They are all EXTREMELY successful. One is now on track to graduate from Navy SEAL training, another started a very successful company, another followed his passions and does corporate videography, wedding videos, etc. They're all very happy, and I know their familes are proud of them.

Just because someone isn't a 4.0 student at the Academy, this isn't indicative of a failure, on either the parent's or student's behalf. One of my friends left the Academy with a 1.8 GPA and just graduated from UPenn with a 4.0. "Success at the Academy" is a very very narrow definition of success, so letting your own sense of accomplishment depend on that is going to get you just as frustrated and worried and confused as your son probably is (I was, for 4 years). It might be hard, but I know what I needed (and everyone is different) was just generic, overall support. Let him live and find his own failures and successes.

And trust me, if he wants it, he'll do just fine.
 
Hi everyone. I have cut the emotional umbilical cord so to speak. It is HIS hurdles and HIS challenges. I have my own adult worries and don't need to constantly stress out about his. I still love, care and pray for him, but I have basically given it up to God. Thanks for all of the support!!!!! I will post updates...
 
Well, he's home and is fairly sure after his finals that he failed both Chem and Calc. It's hard to see him this way. He seems battered and bruised emotionally from it and it has really hurt his pride and confidence. We are giving him advice and pep talks when all he probably wants is to forget about it for a little while. I will be praying a lot, for both myself and him.
 
After he gets some sleep he will be ok. He will probably go to an academic board. To be honest, retaking both of them and then summer school is probably the best thing that could happen. It ensures he learns the foundation of everything he needs before moving on. It allows him to focus on them in summer school and no other classes. He will be stressed until he knows what happens at his board. Hopefully after some sleep and perspective he can start to relax some. I was nearly in the same situation (I had D's) and rebounded and never had academic trouble again.
 
It's not the time for advice any more, and I'm always really...well, sad...when my academic advice isn't enough for one of my own students. But anyone good enough to get into the United States Coast Guard Academy has what it takes to succeed in life and academically. He DOES. He WILL. It may not look like it does for others, but HE CAN DO IT.

Also: my last day of the semester is tomorrow. Grades are due on Friday. And my dear, wonderful husband knows that Saturday is devoted to cinnamon rolls, then a full day of "Gilligan's Island" while nestled in my Snoopy PJs on the sofa. I love my DH madly and deeply, but the deepest question he gets to ask me all day is "Red or white with dinner, honey?" May I gently suggest you offer your DS the same latitude? He'll thank you for it.
 
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