Anybody have a son or daughter who took forever and ever in college?

[mahina]

This is getting pretty hard to watch. We are in year five of an undergrad program that is now going to apparently take another THREE YEARS. Sorry for shouting...

At the end of that time, there will be a degree in engineering. A bachelor of science degree.

Feeling very pressed here as even though it's a state school, it's a huge investment of time. I'm thrilled my child wants to do something so useful and so difficult but the path is getting pretty rocky and it's hard to see the end.

The clouds are gathering...I dont' want to steer my kid the wrong way and want to encourage to the max but at what point does one re-evaluate and decide to take a different tack?

Could have been right where he is now four years ago. ARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!

[applegrove]

1. It took me two years to get my last half credit. First of all I took a math class I had already

failed twice because I was stubborn. I didn't end up with a high enough mark in that matrix linear algebra to transfer the credit to my home school. I later tried to take a spanish class at Ottawa U. My teacher hated me. I had no idea why but I gave up that class before it was over. I finally just took some joe accounting class to get the 1/2 credit I think. I don't remember much from university. Was too long ago.

[HopeHoops]

2. Patience. It is his life and he'll probably learn more on a slower track.

Most people I know with "right out of high school" college degrees don't remember a damn thing they learned in college. The objective is an education, not a foot race.

[mahina]

3. Well there is an upside that I had not considered,

but I wish he was at least having some fun, if it's going to take 8 years to get a B.A.

[pnwmom]

4. My son has also been taking the slow route,

going about the same rate as yours. Since he's spent most of the time in a community college, at least the price is right. And like your child, my son will end up in a technical field where there will likely be a job at the end of the tunnel.

If the cost for you is bearable, and you're mostly worried about the investment of time -- I'm not worried about that part at all. If my son had stayed with his first major and had graduated last year, he might still be out there looking for a job. Instead, he'll be done in a few more years with a more marketable major and hopefully the whole economy will be better by then.

I don't know about your child but mine couldn't have "been right where he is now four years ago." 20/20 hindsight is wonderful, but he had to go down this path without that option. Besides, as I said, the economy is so bad now -- I'm hoping he'll be better off graduating in a few years.

[Ruby Reason]

5. I have one that hasn't even started...

well that's not true. She just told me tonight that she signed up for some free on-line courses. I'm very pleased. Free is good too. But she has a car, lots of talent and smarts, but no job and seemingly no ambition. She has been a year at home and seems happy too help around the house, have not friends except on-line, and just be. I'm trying to be patient, but soon I feel like I'm going to say, "hey, you need to throw in some money for that electricity your using, water, food, etc. your using" She is a great help around the house, but I want her to grow and learn.

She has always been shy, modest...but she is smart and very capable. When is pushing ok? How much do I push? Its not as though she doesn't earn what she gets here with all her help. Still, she needs to go forward. What do I do? I'm glad she is taking the courses, maybe she just needs the time.