@Candleabra I'd have to get an update on some of those students - they have all graduated now and I am in touch with the 4 that came to mind - it's a complicated picture - these students are unique and exceptional people in many different ways and it's impossible to generalise. The student who applied to Cambridge but ended up going to Bristol, from what I remember of my conversations with him (I'm more in touch with his ex-gf who I've just asked for an update) he was unhappy first with the accommodation situation and I don't think he was ever very settled at Bristol - I faintly remember he was unhappy with either a lecturer or the way one subject was being taught - I don't know how much of a product that was of his problems with accommodation, commuting etc - that's all I can remember I'm really not sure what he's doing now that's why I've asked for an update - he was a climber and the last I heard he was off climbing in the Karakorums - I think they needed a special permit for that at the time. @poetryandwine - he was disappointed but he was realistic from the outset and Bristol was always his 2nd choice - he said it was the place Cambridge rejects often head for.
In a way all of them were very gentle people who seemed to me to be the type who would struggle to fit in to the hard edged world of work. All excelled in maths at A-level and enjoyed it but all as far as I can remember were talented in other ways.
Two others went to Leeds - great city and university (my daughters both did medicine there) - one did a masters - I'm in contact with him and his ex-gf too - I know he never really knew what he wanted to do with his maths degree - even at the end of his masters he had not found, as he had hoped, any particular areas that he was deeply interested in - he was/is a multi-talented musician, arranger, conductor - I'm not sure what he's doing either but will ask his ex-gf. I know he thought that following his interest in music would probably lead to a very insecure way to earn a living so he went with what he was best at - I'm sure he was right.
The other is one is a really quiet and gentle guy - another exceptional musician - jazz/blues - again struggling to find his place in life - he did not graduate with the degree that was expected - he is headed into accountancy but knowing him as I do (I've known him over 15 years) I really can't fathom that at all - I know and still see his parents - so - it's a complicated picture for very individual and personal reasons for all of these people.
I remember one student telling me that in 4 years at university a lot of things happen in people's lives - in their families lives too - it's not just 4 years of study - it's real life - parents get divorced, parents businesses collapse, parents come out, parents and students fall ill and die - all sorts - and people change a lot in 4 years and some discover new interests, new passions and want to go in new directions. I tend to think it helps if you have a real, deep interest in some area of your subject - I think few do, few are lucky enough to realise or discover that.
I'm sad to say that less than half the students I have taught that went to university really seem to have enjoyed the experience - that's my impression - I taught a lot of students from 2 of the very best local schools (and many others) and many knew each other - so I have quite a few connections in to many of my old students. It's a disappointing fact that I went into tuition for many reasons - I had hoped I would help many students from a range of backgrounds - the truth is I saw almost exclusively students who already went to the best schools who were very well supported by their parents - it was a great experience for me to work with such high performing students and supportive families...but not really what I thought I was setting out to do. I've wandered off the point enough. I'm trying to leave all this behind!
@Eleyne I wrote software for 20+ years. Has your son started any programming? Many start with Python.