Please give advice.....

[questioner123]

Hi all.

My DD was very unhappy at a sixth form college which she started in September 2016 last year for a variety of reasons. So, we thought (her idea) that it is best for her to leave that 'toxic' environment as she used to say and start year 12 again at a school sixth form this coming September, rather than a sixth form college.

However, she is now incredibly bored, and is the type of person that wants to be learning something new, have something to focus on, be kept busy etc...

So, I was wondering whether any of you have an idea of something to keep her busy, be useful in her future uni applications and career etc. We are really stuck- very difficult to get a job as she doesn't have any experience and needs to be local etc... so alternatives to that please.

I will add she is starting volunteering at the hospital for three hours in a months time...

Thank you all in advance.

[Jamhandprints]

Could she do an online course that's relevant to what she wants to study? There are lots of free/ cheap ones, they're not official qualifications but still impressive on a uni application.They like to see hobbies too, how about Duke of Edinburgh Award, help at brownies/ beavers, join a sports club or some kind of craft class?

[bojorojo]

Volunteer at a charity shop, volunteer for the national trust or similar, go into the local school to help with reading, or any other volunteer role. What does she want to do at university?

[Allthebestnamesareused]

Lifeguards courses are about £240 and are usually held in school holidays. This will give her a qualification and all the gyms and pool rounds my way have shifts available for pool guards.

[SumitTuition]

She will have a much better time at uni as students become more mature and come from diverse regions in the country. A lot of students hate school because of the fellow students.

Anyhow to answer your question try local accountancy, solicitor firms for work experience. They will look good on the application form and she will learn some good insights into the industry.
Agree with the earlier comment from bojorojo retail experience is also very useful; it opens your eyes to many things and makes you resilient.

[MillicentMargaretAmanda]

Learn a language on duolinguo, do online courses (free), volunteer in Girlguiding, Scouting or some other youth organisation.

[Leeds2]

Lots of volunteering opportunities. Have a look at the Do-It website; you certainly used to be able to search for areas of interest (such as animals, conservation etc) within a specified number of miles from your house.

If she hasn't done so already, and you/she can afford it, use the time to learn to drive. That is a skill which will never be wasted, and may be useful for future jobs.

Have a look for cookery courses at night school or elsewhere. Again, a very useful skill.

Have a look at Park Runs, think they are usually on a Saturday morning. My friend's DD started doing this when she left school after A Levels as she was a bit "lost" as most of her friends had gone away to uni. She is now a decent, serious runner, and has made a lot of new friends, but I don't think the Park Runs themselves are difficult for a beginner.

See if you have a local ladies' cricket team. They will almost always take on complete beginners.

[questioner123]

Thank you all so much for your comments. You are all so helpful!!

[iseenodust]

Might be an idea to do something with another generation? eg Age UK have huge waiting lists for their telephone befriending service which she could volunteer for.

I appreciate she has no job experience but she could probably start now with something like kitchen hand in a pub or cafe or care home.