Daughter wants to drop out of college after only 2 weeks

[GeorgieHalbs]

DD has joined college to study A levels, a place where she knows lots of others. She chose her courses very carefully, and after 2 weeks has just informed me she'd like to drop out and work full time at McD's! I think she is just keen to work & earn money but as her mum, I obviously worry about her future. I haven't lost my temper with her over this, but I did say I thought it was a mistake and she should think longer about it. I am a bit upset too, if honest! Thoughts please.

I’m with the others who say p/t job alongside college. DS worked p/t from start of year 13 after lockdowns had finished, he learnt so much but by this summer (nearly 2 years later as he deferred uni), he was thoroughly bored of the job.

Was university the plan?

You can't force it. Sounds like she's keen to get her life going and doesn't want education anymore

My daughter started A Levels after high school, was on the course a couple of months before deciding she didn't want to do them. She looked at other courses available and chose a BTEC, the college advised she had missed too much course content to switch from one to the other so could re-enrol the following September, starting the BTEC from scratch.

The college was very supportive and suggested my daughter use the time in between as productively as she could, this included working part time. She also undertook The Princes Trust course (a 12 week programme) during her gap time. She re-enrolled this September and all is well so far (early days, I know) she reports back that there are many in her class who have done similar.

Is your daughter interested in a different type of course?

Yes, they do. However, McD do have training schemes with college access. They even have a University.
My DD worked there while doing her A levels - she came out with a food hygiene certificate and some valuable skills, and an understanding of the hard work required to do the job, and the long hours to make a living.

Not bad lessons.

I had a rare confirmed place to do a teaching AND subject combined degree after my A levels. But I dropped out completely - I was burned out.
While McD is not necessarily the answer, they can be a great career path (see their website). Perhaps take her to a recruitment agency to see what is available with her GCSE results. You may find that there are still some apprentice/trainee posts available.
Or talk to the student support at her college - how many A levels is she doing? Too many? There is a big step change between GCSE and A level in terms of support and autonomy - they are expected to drive themselves forward. School environment may well be better for her