One source of trouble for some students is their selection of courses. Nearly without exception, students who are dissatisfied with their academic performance, are taking nothing but large, introductory courses. When asked why they made these choices, nearly every student offers the same response : “to get my requirements out of the way.” Since many of the basic required courses have large enrollments, they make it possible for any student to become distressingly anonymous. No professor with a class of hundreds of students will be able to get to know each student well. Another disadvantage is that these students may not find courses that truly excited them. Therefore, by the end of the freshman year, when it is time to choose a concentration or major, they may not yet have been attracted to any discipline.
Howver, these hardship in freshman year is going to be a good experience. Samuel Smiles, father of the modern self-help movement, wrote in 1858 that “It is doubtful whether any heavier curse could be imposed on man than complete gratification of all his wishes without effort on his part, leaving nothing for his hopes, desires, or struggles.” When challenged, children, like adults, will find meaning in their accomplishment and enjoy the process of attaining their goals. Struggles and challenges are a necessary component of an emotionally rich life; there are no easy shortcuts to happiness. Letting our children struggle when we have the means to make life easier seems unnatural; but there are times when we have to allow them the privilege of hardship.
