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Secondary education

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DS unenthusiastic with A levels

29 replies

Sofrustratedwithmyself · 20/11/2024 11:49

Is anyone else in the same boat with their DC? DS is young-ish for his year (end of May birthday) and not particularly academic but does ok.I'm pretty sure he went to sixth form because his friends were going and he just wasn't ready to branch out into a level 3 apprenticeship. He is taking 2 levels and a BTEC, which were pretty much chosen for him based on his GCSE results. He tanks in exams for reasons we're not sure of yet.He's not particularly motivated at A levels but I can see that he is somewhat dedicated as he doesn't want to take time off when he's ill, for example, as doesn't want to get behind. He's doing English A level and barely reads, which to me feels like what's the point in doing the A level as how can he develop the skills to even pass? He gets home from school at 1/2pm because he has 'free' periods and then basically hangs round the house, watching telly, gaming, on phone to girlfriend for the rest of the afternoon and evening. He's bored but is also nervous about going out and getting a small job. He trains/plays for a football team 3 times a week but that's his only hobby.I just wondered if anyone else has been in the same position and what have you done to try and give your DC a bit of a boost. We have a great relationship and he sees how motivated me and my DH are with work/voluntary work/hobbies, but I just can't make a breath-through with him on this.

OP posts:
Neversaygoodbye · 20/11/2024 12:31

My DS is similar & "fell" into his A levels due to knowing what he didn't want & grades at GCSE. He's not particularly enthusiastic but also has no idea what he does want except to be rich one day (the earlier the better). He has a Saturday job (which pays peanuts)and loves going out with friends but has done minimal work for his mocks. It's frustrating but we're trying to let him get on with it, anything we say comes across as nagging to him.

Sofrustratedwithmyself · 20/11/2024 12:11

Thanks both! I forgot to say I am an avid reader and found out what texts he is studying and I've read the books when he is reading them so we can discuss them. When we talk about them he sometimes engages but sometimes says 'mum, it's fine, I've got it under control'. But he's struggling to read most days and when he does sit down to read he can only manage 20 mins. When he was younger he used to read for hours at night but now he just can't focus

OP posts:
Singleandproud · 20/11/2024 12:08

I'd find out what texts hell be studying and seeing the plays and watch the films.
Birdsong, Weathering Heights, Much Ado About Nothing and Handmaids tale are books I remember doing, and there are adaptations of all of these so would imagine anything he chooses will have them too.

I struggled with exams too and switched from A levels to BTEC and that suited me much better. Having to regurgitate information after two years is just so pointless.

Araminta1003 · 20/11/2024 11:54

Just on the English A level, what authors will he be studying? Even if he watches all the films etc, a few plays, historical context around them, that would be a start. I would start with getting him into the authors he is going to be studying in whatever funish way possible. Can include day trips to museums/plays etc

A level is quite a step up and getting them to engage at deeper level in their subjects in any way possible will always help.

I would also be encouraging a part time job/work experience as that helps with maturity and self confidence.

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