At wits end with son who doesn't know what to do about university

[CanterburyBells]

He's due to go to our local uni in September to do Environmental Science after taking a gap year. He only got D at A Level in the subject but got enough UCAS points to get in. He's a keen athlete and would love to be a professional athlete. But the reality is that may not happen. He's got a serious girlfriend and definitely doesn't want to go to any uni other than our 2 local ones.

He doesn't know if he wants to go to uni, or what career he wants. Time is running out. I'm at a loss as to how to help

What area of the country are you in?

sounds like a degree apprenticeship could be ideal for him if he likes working and is not the academic type but would like a degree

anything suitable here?
https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeships?sort=DistanceAsc&searchTerm=&location=Nottingham%2C+Nottinghamshire&distance=all&levelIds=6&routeIds=11

if he is not sure about university it would be better he didnt go, its a lot of expense

Speaking as someone who has too many degrees and still hasn't worked out what I want in life, I'd say if he's currently enjoying his job and training for his sport, and it's working financially and socially for him.... keep doing that. If he can save some money (appreciate he may not if working part time) that is better than studying for something that he's not 100% sure he wants to do. Seeing out his competitive years in his sport, he might then with more maturity and life experience have a better idea of a path, and still have options for degree funding if that's what he wants. Good luck to him, sounds like he's got a lot going for him.

Very good point! Don’t get £50k worth of debt for something he’s not sure about

If he only got a D in the subject at A-level then it isn’t a great idea to pursue it at university, where the standard is much higher – he will struggle. Find something else, get a job, do an apprenticeship, have a think.

Degree apprenticeships are much more competitive to get into than degree courses. With a D in one of the A levels I doubt that this would be feasible for the OP's DS.

Back right off

But OP isn’t pressuring him one way or the other. She simply said she doesn’t know how to support her son as he himself doesn’t know what to do yet.

@CanterburyBells this link to the national careers service is a potentially useful resource that may help you to support your son through his uncertainty https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/

Save your money to help him buy a house. He doesn't sound at all suitable for university and most of the courses don't help people get jobs these days. Why burn £50k and end up working as a barista anyway.

Sad but true!

Brighton

Would he maybe consider a move in the future to an athletics focussed university? Loughborough, Birmingham (is UCL too?).

I know Birmingham well and unsure of his event but the middle distance program is amazing at the moment but know they’ve also got some very good sprinters. I’m unsure about the field but imagine it’s good.

I think it depends on his event. If he’s middle distance I know there’s some very good groups down your way, Jon Bigg etc so imagine the competition is good and a decent community.

If athletics is his dream I would encourage him to make decisions based on that and work the other stuff around it. If he really wants it he’ll need to be proactive and make decisions around it.

Thank you for your advice.. He thought about Loughborough etc but his grades are up to it really.

https://www.plumpton.ac.uk/apprenticeships/apprenticeship-vacancies/

https://www.getcareerconfident.co.uk/greener-careers-sussex/green-careers-sussex-apprenticeships

https://www.sussex.police.uk/police-forces/sussex-police/areas/careers/jobs/

https://www.talkingfutures.org.uk/your-childs-options/apprenticeships/?utm_source=Search&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=Doors&utm_content=AdWords&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18030639733&gbraid=0AAAAAoxfqxwEC0lkO4p-RQyWXs9tudKfr&gclid=CjwKCAjw6ZTCBhBOEiwAqfwJd_TAR_MVCWPgWfoCod4ogqskFkIR4BWLPF-jNAhgZGMbJzl8V3_cThoC2McQAvD_BwE

https://apprenticeshipguide.co.uk/apprenticeship-category/industry-sectors/sport-and-fitness-apprenticeships/

https://services.ucas.com/careerfinder/vacancy/128621/level-4-sports-coach-apprenticeship

https://services.ucas.com/careerfinder/vacancy/94026/raf-sportsphysical-and-training-instructor-pti-full-time-career-with-apprenticeship

www.ucas.com/explore/search/apprenticeships?query=sport&refinementList%5BAddresses.Region%5D%5B0%5D=South%20East

Some ideas.

He’d be better off doing something with sport maybe? A different degree like sport science or doing a more vocational college course, or getting a job related to sport, a gym? Kids activities centre?

Nothing about what you have written about him screams Environmental Scientist to me. It can be very outdoorsy depending on the route you take Flora and Fauna/Contaminated land but it is extremely long hours and very hard work in a lot of jobs especially if you go the consulting route so unless you are in to it I think it is not for the faint hearted.

Much appreciated 😃

Has he looked into how many people make an actual living from the sport he's competing in at National level? There's no reason why he shouldn't focus on this sport - better now, while he is young than half way through a uni degree when he's had to scale back training.

I'd let him go all out for the sport right now. Uni and career can wait, but professional sport can't wait - he's better doing it while he;s at peak fitness with no real stresses in his life.

Longer term, he might do a PT qualification, so he can train others.

Honestly, if he were my son, I'd be wholly supportive of him working the job he has, training with all his might, and knowing that once this chance has passed, which it will in a few years, he can rethink, and if he wants, apply to uni or for some other qualification to start his career.