Finally off to college — and hating it

Joanne Levy-Prewitt's College Bound column in the Dec. 9 San Francisco Chronicle examines an issue that a number of my friends have faced. The college search is over, the acceptances have arrived, school starts, and the kid is miserable. I know it's a little early to worry about that, but...

Q: Our son is a freshman at a large public university and has just completed his first academic quarter. He told us that he will likely have C's and D's in three of his four classes and has been placed on academic probation. This came as a complete shock to us because in high school he got nearly all A's.
He says the large classes are overwhelming, he doesn't enjoy any of the material or professors, he and his roommate do not speak to each other, and that he hates the cold, rainy weather. He says he has no friends. We do not know what to do, but it is clear to us that he is miserable, and we must do something.

Read the rest of the column.