Ds hates new college course - what to do?

[Thelonelygiraffe]

Ds has just started a college course doing subjects he thought he'd enjoy. But the course is being massively disappointing so far - lecturers ramble on and don't teach, ds is learning nothing, there are half hour gaps between lessons, other students have left already.

Ds is applying for apprenticeships and it's a struggle getting him to go to college each day.

Wwyd? Make him keep going in? Or let him stay at him and apply for more apprenticeships?

He might just be in time to move to A levels locally if he makes enquiries now (this week).

Otherwise I would suggest letting him abandon this year and taking a year out, perhaps doing voluntary work and or part time work. He can then rethink his options.

If he feels like this now then he is unlikely to stay the full course.

My dc has an apprenticeship lined up bit is still attending college until his start date.

From my experience with both DDs, one did a L3 and one 2 level 1s.
With vocational courses the first ~3 weeks seem to be low key while they are getting to know the students and also teaching enough to get started on assignments. Once assignments get going, especially for Level 3 things ramp up quite a lot.
The half hour gaps seems quite strange, though they may have found concentration levels stay up much better than just ploughing on.

he might as well stay until he has something else lined up. No point just leaving.

Learning about a lecturer's personal life (within boundaries) and previous jobs is about connecting as people and forming a group bond, especially at this stage. Later in the year when students feel they can come and talk to you about something that's bothering them it shows that you connected with the group. If you just stand up and talk at them about algebra/literature/whatever it doesn't work.

You know the lecturer that is" rambling :might be doing a get to know you thing with the students so chatting rather than rambling because its not school. your son needs to take some self responsibility you shouldn't need to be wrangling him to go its up to him to sort himself out.

Ah @DrCoconut said it better than I did.

Yes, we've looked at other sixth forms and the new T levels.

@Needmorelego - I didn't even check the gov.uk website and I feel like an idiot now. That certainly opens up choices. Thank you.

Thanks for all the POVs! Appreciate your help.

I feel like college is more geared up to get students ready for the type of learning they'll do at university rather than prepare them for working life. If he isn't planning on going to university then I think apprenticeships make much more sense. I left my college course within the first few weeks and switched to an apprenticeship and absolutely loved it! It also gave me my first step on the career ladder as I was offered a job within the company straight after completion, which I think I would have struggled to get with just the college qualification.

If he chooses to go down the apprenticeship route he might just have to plod along with college until he secures one unfortunately. I guess it's no different than being in a job or workplace you dislike but have to stay in until you find a new one. Hope something comes up for him soon! x

Former FE teacher and current HE teacher here - I'd suggest not dropping out after only two days of lectures. Give it a good go before deciding. Start the volunteering and part-time work on the 2 spare days, start working towards the first assignment. Set himself a weekly timetable to research the reading list, references etc the lectures have cited in his free time and using the half hour gaps. Work towards completing the year, getting the qual and then re-evaluating. As it's only a year I'd just get the qual under my belt and then move to a sideways industry if still keen.

Also looking at any extra-curricular sport or social opportunities the college has to offer whilst he's there, utilising their gym, teams, attending gigs or events, whatever he's interested in.

It's really really early in the year.

Speak to him about getting back to school and doing a levels... if he is motivated by earnings remind him that his lifetime income will likely be much higher if he does that and goes onto a level 4 qualification at a university (which can be practical/lead directly to employment)

@Thelonelygiraffe schools/colleges seem to try and keep that option secret (which makes sense as they want the funding by having students) but it means so many 16/17 year olds are stuck at school or college doing courses they really aren't interested in, bored and frustrated out their minds. They simply don't want to be there and are counting down days until they think they can leave - when they don't actually have to be there at all.

I think he’s just being a bit premature in his judgment and a tad negative , I would assume if he’s only been in for 2 days and today is his first real day then the fact his tutor was discussing his personal life and previous job roles it was an icebreaker session to get to know his lecturer.

college definitely is different to schools the tutors are very down to earth and approachable. My son is actually doing A Levels and his experience being taught these at college is completely different to that of his friends who stayed on at sixth form. They are still getting detentions for being late etc there is no such discipline at college, if he fails to show up it’s on him. The flip side to this is that there are no kids messing around in lessons and those there are there to learn which suits my son.

I would suggest whilst he’s waiting for the apprenticeship route to happen that he continues at college and at least waits for the lessons to actually start

it’s all big change with new people and new format and that’s probably wobbled him more

@Thelonelygiraffe schools/colleges seem to try and keep that option secret (which makes sense as they want the funding by having students) but it means so many 16/17 year olds are stuck at school or college doing courses they really aren't interested in, bored and frustrated out their minds. They simply don't want to be there and are counting down days until they think they can leave - when they don't actually have to be there at all.

@Thelonelygiraffe although saying what I have said about the alternative option of getting a job he really should give it another couple of weeks. The first few days are always going to be about getting used to the routine and teaching methods.

But the course is being massively disappointing so far - lecturers ramble on and don't teach, ds is learning nothing, there are half hour gaps between lessons, other students have left already.

Lectures by definition are an educational talk to an audience. The teaching bit where you expand on it is in tutorials.

I used to have more than half an hour between lectures.

If he's learning nothing what independent study has he put in?

It sounds like university tbh. They don't spoon feed you at that level.

OK, thank you all. Really useful, helpful and insightful posts.

Thanks, @mummymama81 - great advice.

I agree, @Needmorelego - school didn't mention it at all.

Is he your eldest child @Thelonelygiraffe ?

No, @Mrsjayy - why do you ask?

Sorry didn't mean to be mysterious 😃 I was asking because it can be an adjustment for us when they leave school and go into a new routine.

Oh no, @Mrsjayy , I'm fine with that. My eldest is away at uni.

@Goodornot I agree- he would be massively disappointed in many Uni courses too- and about 9 hours a week of contact in many cases.

I've always had a rule with my girls that they have to give any new thing, whether college course, club, new job, three weeks wholeheartedly.
After that, they can drop it if they choose.
There's very little that they've dropped after that. It gives a chance to find their feet, learn what's expected of them, work out who's who and what's where, with the knowledge that if they really don't want to continue then they don't have to.
They are adults now, and we still refer to the Three Week Rule 😀

I like the idea of the three-week rule!