In a comment, Sliloh touched on one of my big worries. Every year smart kids go through all the work and preparation to get into college, only to drop out in their freshman year.
On the average, 1 in 4 students drop out of college their freshman year. The exact number varies widely from 1 or 2 percent at top 4 year private institutions to 50 or 60 percent at others. 2 year institutions have the worst drop out rates.
The reasons for dropping out are as varied as the kids. Some have financial issues, some are not ready to be away from home, some are overtaxed, and some can’t moderate their new-found freedom. My 1st college roommate was in this last category. She was a bright girl, who had never given her parents a moment’s worry in high-school. She got good grades, took care of her horses, and was always in by curfew. Without someone keeping tabs on her, she discovered a multitude of ways to entertain herself. None of which were studying. Unfortunately, she got in enough trouble that she only stayed one semester.
My daughter is a bright girl who rarely gives me any worry. She gets good grades, generally stays out of trouble, keeps regular hours, and follows rules. See why I’m worried? My husband said a few months back that he’d like to see her make a decent sized oops this year. I was appalled. How can you want your kid to get in trouble? But, there is some logic behind his madness. If she’s going to screw up, it would be better to do it now when the penalty for failure isn’t life altering.
Don’t worry we haven’t been setting her up to fail. We aren’t stocking the fridge with alcohol and having co-ed sleepovers. But, we have been scaling back the restrictions on her. Bearing in mind that in five months we won’t be making any of her decisions, we’re trying to make fewer and fewer every day. So far, she’s handling it just fine. I’m keeping my fingers crossed
