Gifted Student Not Ready for the Next Level

Our son, Matt, was a student at College Excel for three terms. College Excel worked with him to apply -- and then successfully transfer to -- a four-year university. Here's our story.

Pre-College Excel

Matt had a full scholarship to attend a respected private college and began his freshman year immediately after high school. He quickly became overwhelmed with the differences between high school and college. Not only were the academic requirements and formats different, he also had difficulty handling the many social and living skills necessary for him to succeed academically. Matt took a leave of absence and came home. He was depressed and unable to move forward.

I was introduced to Jeannie Crowell through a Parenting Teleclass that she was teaching. I sent Jeannie a very brief e-mail explaining our situation. Jeannie's prompt response included such insight and understanding, I immediately knew that she not only understood, she knew how to help.

With the help of CE, we developed a plan to help Matt get back on track. Matt's coach communicated with him and gained his trust that this wasn't just Mom's plan to "fix" him, but a process that would help him choose and meet his own goals. CE helped us find an appropriate intermediate program prior to Matt's enrollment in College Excel. Throughout this time, they were available as resources when needed. They interfaced with the intermediate program to help Matt transition smoothly between them.

The College Excel Experience

Matt was enrolled in College Excel for three trimesters during 2005. During that time he went through a metamorphosis. The CE staff worked with Matt on every area of his life. The following are some of the areas I saw significant changes:

Matt became a student who managed his academic responsibilities well. He went to class, completed homework assignments, studied for tests, learned to ask questions in class, and discovered his study style. He learned when it was necessary to drop a class and when to stick it out and not give up. Jeannie found a math tutor who connected with Matt and helped him to discover his talent for math.

With the wise guidance of the College Excel staff, Matt looked into his future and came to the decision that, as much as he dislikes the grind of school, he would need to complete college to go where he wants to go. He was particularly interested in creative writing and story development. His academic coach found a published writer who mentored Matt while he was in Bend. This relationship has given Matt the confidence to pursue his writing career.

College Excel not only assisted in Matt's academic development, they worked with lifestyle and social development. Matt practiced budgeting and financial planning. He planned meals and cooked with his housemates. He practiced healthy communication skills.

After the second term with College Excel, we were reluctant to sign Matt up for a third term with College Excel. He had made such progress, and yet I felt he had not yet gained the confidence in himself to fly solo. His coach challenged Matt to become an RA in the student housing, taking on the responsibility for himself and other students. Looking back, that third and final term with College Excel made a tremendous difference. Matt's level of confidence and his understanding of how the academic system works and how he works in it grew in leaps and bounds.

Forging Ahead

Currently Matt is finishing his sophomore year at a four-year university, and he has been quite successful. He is living in a studio apartment, using all the living skills he learned at College Excel. He is successfully managing his classes and looking forward to his junior year. He is tackling problems rather than ignoring them. He is facing the things that used to paralyze him. He better understands who he is and how he functions.

The best way I can sum up Matt's experience with College Excel is that he now "owns" his life.

Mary, parent, California

© Changing Directions, LLC 2006