Sixth form drama

[Altomum62]

My 16 yr old daughter is starting at a nearby sixth form college and is terrified. She did really well in her GCSEs and worked very hard but is in a complete meltdown over staring at college. She wants to do home/online schooling instead while continuing with more ballet lessons which is the thing she loves most and is often in tears at the prospect of having new teachers, having to make new friends, the constant testing, the workload, the longer hours etc and is dreading having to go. I've said no to home/online schooling as I don't believe it's healthy or realistic at preparing her for the 'real world' and have suggested counselling, ways to help her lack of confidence, asking if she wants any special emotional support at college or elsewhere, which subjects she would enjoy most and trying to help her find the many positives in starting and am now at a loss with what to do. Any suggestions would be very welcome.

[rogueantimatter]

Oh dear, your poor DD.

I'm afraid I've no concrete advice except to tell her that there will be other pupils feeling like this too and to remind her of all the things she once thought were difficult that she has achieved.

[musicposy]

Persuade her to try it and see and offer to reconsider her options in a few weeks, or at half term.

I'm coming at this from a similar but different place to you! DD2 is also 16 and has been home educated, for the last 8 years. It's been an utterly wonderful 8 years for her but her home ed friends are all moving on now, she got good GCSEs and she and I felt it was silly not to make use of free school tuition when A levels at home (partcularly sciences which she is doing) have so many expenses and hurdles.

She had her first day today and was very unimpressed with the time wasting, the lack of respect shown to students, the petty rules etc. I really felt for her walking in, the outsider in a school of children who have been there since 11, leaving all her lovely friends from the last 8 years behind.

But she's going to give it a few weeks at least, to give it a proper chance. A few weeks sounds bearable, and your DD might actually love it, as might mine. If she doesn't, then look at what else you could do. Home ed is a big commitment (and I say that as a huge fan of it) so it makes sense for your daughter to at least give her new college a try.

[Altomum62]

Thanks for the replies. She had her first day on Friday and has agreed to give it a try until Christmas and see how she feels then. Good luck to your daughter musicposy!